I am fairly new to the forum, and don't know if this was discussed before, but after serving 24-plus years and retiring from the USAF and serving two tours in Afghanistan I still keep up with military matters, I was told by a couple of sources, several years ago a Canadian Special forces soldier shot an insurgent 1.25 miles away with a .50 cal McMilliam, is this possible? I have seen and test fired the Barrett, and know these things can reach out and touch something, but 1.25 miles?

I can't say if that particular story is true but 1.25 miles is 2200 yards, well within the capability of the 50 BMG in a good rifle.

Ray

The record is held by a Canadian, 2,657 yds, 1.51 miles, Mcmillan TAC 50, Afghanistan 2002.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sniper

Thanks craigster, so it is true...Nice! I will check the link.

There are other sources to verify it but I
think it was the second shot. Interesting thing? The second bullet could have arrived before the sound of the first shot!

I once read an interview with the guy who took the shot, (sorry i cant remember the source) but htere he said it was the second shot and after correction the shot hit (almost) right where he intended it to. (i guess a .50 gives you plenty of room for that almost being as lethal).

How stupid can you be? I still remember the public outcry when the Liberals in this country, and I don't mean the party, discovered that our soldiers were using .50 cal. rifles. Inhumane they screamed. The reply, from the government of the day, was we don't use them against human targets. They are anti-materiel weapons. That record shot came back to haunt the soldier, that made it, as well. Digusting, some of the crap, you have to listen to.
Grizz

US Forces can legally use any weapon in the arsenal against the enemy, either personally or at materiel (armored vehicle, building used by them, etc). In other words, employing an F16 delivered 2000lb JDAM is just as useful , albeit somewhat more expensive, than a few rounds of 5.56...

If the use of the JDAM limits the risk to a GI, send more F16s so armed!

No Free linches for the Dogs of War!

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew cempa:
US Forces can legally use any weapon in the arsenal against the enemy, either personally or at materiel (armored vehicle, building used by them, etc). In other words, employing an F16 delivered 2000lb JDAM is just as useful , albeit somewhat more expensive, than a few rounds of 5.56...

If the use of the JDAM limits the risk to a GI, send more F16s so armed!

No Free linches for the Dogs of War!

Agreed!
WE're currently using MQ-9 Reapers and AGM-114 as anti-personnel weapons. 650 grains moving at 2950 FPS seems like underkill