AZ Jeff
Member
How old are most of the persons posting on this thread? Do any of them do anything besides play video games and post about "sniping"?
Best Sniper Rifle
- Thread starter DevLcL
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OK back on topic for a moment (before I decide to close this thread... please keep it ON TOPIC and leave the snickering schoolboy commets to the playground.. K?)
ANY 'deer' rifle can shoot a hole through the ace of spades at 100 yards. But not ever shooter can.
You have to practice.
You will not get 'precision' shooting from the cheapest components available. IE Don't spend $500 on a rifle, then top it with a $30 scope and only shoot "surplus" ammo out of it.
ANY 'deer' rifle can shoot a hole through the ace of spades at 100 yards. But not ever shooter can.
You have to practice.
You will not get 'precision' shooting from the cheapest components available. IE Don't spend $500 on a rifle, then top it with a $30 scope and only shoot "surplus" ammo out of it.
rock jock
Member
That might be the case in Crapistan, but I wouldn't count on anything in a civilized country.
AZ Jeff
Member
My point with my smart remark was that anyone talking about "sniping" in any role except that of an authorized government agent is TOTALLY "unprofessional" at the least, certainly of dubious ethics, and definitely NOT the "High Road".
Now if we want to talk about "precision shooting", then that's a different situation, and that's a SPORT open to civilian shooters.
Now if we want to talk about "precision shooting", then that's a different situation, and that's a SPORT open to civilian shooters.
carebear
Member
Well he did specify sniping as a sort of "civilian auxiliary" to the PD or an authorized government contractor, not some rogue vigilante.
30Cal
Member
If I wanted to be a good marksman, I'd lie down on the dirt with my .22LR and shoot at things that are 100-150 yards out. Once you get pretty good, get a decent hunting rifle and shoot at targets 200-500 yards.
what?
Seems not the place to talk if your are Serious.
try this link and read if you aint already
http://home.swipnet.se/longrange/want_to_be_a_marine_sniper.htm
Iron Brigade Armory boasts of the best most accurate sniper rifle .
Seems not the place to talk if your are Serious.try this link and read if you aint already
http://home.swipnet.se/longrange/want_to_be_a_marine_sniper.htm
Iron Brigade Armory boasts of the best most accurate sniper rifle .
Let me clear up a few things. When I say freelance sniper I was mainly thinking of covering guys in iraq, or precision shoot (hotsage situation etc.) for the police. Secondly Im 18, I never claimed to be a good shooter or that I ever will be, I simply find the art or precision shooting VERY appealling. I have the money and time, but most importantly the HEART to pursue it and you know what I think thats what im gonna do. I realise for a long time I'll have to put up with redicule and skepticism but over time who knows what I'll be. Maybe this video game playin acne faced kid will be covering your a$$ some day. Part of it may be just a fantasy from watching Saving Pvt. Ryan too many times, but deep down I really do want to be able to shoot. I realise what you guys mean when you say the best rifles are then ones with the best guys behind them. I want to be that "good guy" Im simply looking for ideas on where to start as far as what tools I should use to start practicing. Don't assume I don't know anything about being a sniper. Certainly I don't know everything but I do know it take discipline, time, and huge ammounts of effort to become a true 'Sniper'. I plan to learn all aspects of mamal anatomy and psychology In an effort to always be one step ahead of my target, wether it be an enemy sniper or a prize buck. Frown on me If you will, Like I said in another post. When I line up a shot and squeeze off the trigger the satisfaction of hitting my target greatly outweighs the feelings of guilt or stupidity that have been instilled by certain fellow citizens... I.E. People on this forum. ....AZ Jeff.... why would you insult a fellow gun-toting-willing-to-learn american about his shooting? I would just as soon make as many friends as possible so I got people on my side when the poop hits the fan as they say.
carebear
Member
DevLcL,
Try not to be offended. The reason you're getting flak is, as was said, that it ain't gonna happen. There is not now, and never will be, a call by anyone in any sort of government (Fed. state or local) nor in private contracting for a self-taught "freelance" shooter.
If you want to do the job your best bet is to join the Service, work your butt off for a sniper school slot and, when you finish your hitch, either apply with a private contractor or join the cops.
That's the only realistic way.
There's far too many current and former pro's out there for anybody to want to hire Joe Schmo off the street.
Try not to be offended. The reason you're getting flak is, as was said, that it ain't gonna happen. There is not now, and never will be, a call by anyone in any sort of government (Fed. state or local) nor in private contracting for a self-taught "freelance" shooter.
If you want to do the job your best bet is to join the Service, work your butt off for a sniper school slot and, when you finish your hitch, either apply with a private contractor or join the cops.
That's the only realistic way.
There's far too many current and former pro's out there for anybody to want to hire Joe Schmo off the street.
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ojibweindian
Member
I can do that with hand loads and an off-the-shelf Winchester Model 70 wearing an Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 scope.
If you want to blow tons of cash for "The Ultimate Rig", by all means do so. Far be it from me to discourage the spending of money on something you would desire. But, I would venture to say that your Remington .308 is capable enough with the right load.
shooting
You can use a coach ,it will help a lot startin out.
Do a search on m40,m40a3,m24 etc and all kinds of info will come up. Money will help with the equipment,patience,dicipline,good eyesight,and time /practice are some of the things involved.
Some one put on there there will never be a ? for the govt to use snipers etc freelance and it may be true. Buuuttt,just a while ago some folks in Texas got asked and hired to teach longrange shooting to some Army guys going to Iraq.
Might have been a 2 week course. All the instructers were like NRA high master shooters ,cannot find my link on the story. One of my greatestest lessons came from a air rifle competitor on the use of scopes.
Did the link work on The USMC? Some of tne best shooters in the world and it seems like a tough tough position that i couldn't do in my prime,i was too high strung.
You can use a coach ,it will help a lot startin out.
Do a search on m40,m40a3,m24 etc and all kinds of info will come up. Money will help with the equipment,patience,dicipline,good eyesight,and time /practice are some of the things involved.
Some one put on there there will never be a ? for the govt to use snipers etc freelance and it may be true. Buuuttt,just a while ago some folks in Texas got asked and hired to teach longrange shooting to some Army guys going to Iraq.
Might have been a 2 week course. All the instructers were like NRA high master shooters ,cannot find my link on the story. One of my greatestest lessons came from a air rifle competitor on the use of scopes.
Did the link work on The USMC? Some of tne best shooters in the world and it seems like a tough tough position that i couldn't do in my prime,i was too high strung.
ojibweindian
Member
Placing several consecutive shots through the center of a playing card? It's not that easy. Proper form and trigger control is very important, and that means spending lots of time behind a rifle. Unless you have tons of disposable income, you'll need to take up reloading and/or shoot the bejeebers out of your .22.
kaferhaus
Member
OK, here's my beef, and it's a simple one.. I'm all for and encourage young people to take up shooting sports... It can be very rewarding and thought provoking if you're into extreme accuracy.. It can become all consuming even trying to get that groups squeezed down another few thousanths..
I like to go to the range on very windy days... the range I shoot at points east and west... so if the wind is really blowing north or south, THATS when I like to go shoot.. because it's much more difficult to shoot little bug hole groups.. but it builds my confidence when I shoot a match in the wind... and my results show it...
THE BEEF with the young fellow who started this thread is a snipers target is a person or persons. You aspire to reach your goal ass-backwards....
You want to "track people"... outwit them... so you can shoot them... You show no afinity for the Military or Law enforcement employment... yet you want to train to "ambush", shoot people with stealth....
You don't see a problem with this kind of thinking?
As for the SHTF senarios.... another peeve of mine the "internet commandos".
The country has been around over 225yrs... the poop hasn't hit the circular wind machine yet and isn't ever likely too.
Wanna be prepared for a nuclear disaster? Natural calamity that wipes out the gov't?? buy a twelve guage pump and a bunch of buck shot..
Sniping is not sport, it's not target shooting, it's shooting someone from a place of stealth, an ambush..
I like to go to the range on very windy days... the range I shoot at points east and west... so if the wind is really blowing north or south, THATS when I like to go shoot.. because it's much more difficult to shoot little bug hole groups.. but it builds my confidence when I shoot a match in the wind... and my results show it...
THE BEEF with the young fellow who started this thread is a snipers target is a person or persons. You aspire to reach your goal ass-backwards....
You want to "track people"... outwit them... so you can shoot them... You show no afinity for the Military or Law enforcement employment... yet you want to train to "ambush", shoot people with stealth....
You don't see a problem with this kind of thinking?
As for the SHTF senarios.... another peeve of mine the "internet commandos".
The country has been around over 225yrs... the poop hasn't hit the circular wind machine yet and isn't ever likely too.
Wanna be prepared for a nuclear disaster? Natural calamity that wipes out the gov't?? buy a twelve guage pump and a bunch of buck shot..
Sniping is not sport, it's not target shooting, it's shooting someone from a place of stealth, an ambush..
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be the next DC sniper... but I would like to shoot enemies of my country or state. I suppose I would consider being in the marines. My grandpa led thousands of guys up the beach at guam and my cousin is in Iraq right now, so it is kinda in my background. Dad couldn't go he had vision problems. They pay for ammo right? jk
ruger270man
Member
some people on this thread are talking as though the word "sniper" is bad.. join the marines, show them you have excellent marksmenship, tell them you're a hunter, and they might put you in sniper school.. then if you make it, you'll have a good resume to become an LE sniper
Kaylee
Member
From a shooting standpoint, it sounds like a great goal. There's a lot of discipline involved in shooting that well. Have at the practice! (another "amen" to everyone who suggested a lot of time with your .22).
That said.. if you only want "play army" there's enough classes out there you can pick up the skills you're looking for, and meet the guys who can give you better career direction. Over the next several years you'll build up and try out a lot of gear, practice what you do, meet folks of like mind... and probably get pretty good. But it will always be a hobby. If you can accept that, you'll do fine. If you can't, you'll become a laughingstock.
If you want to do the real thing.. sign up or forget it. Period. The only place where Joe Schmoe gets called in to take care of the rough stuff the professionals can't handle is Hollywood.
-K
That said.. if you only want "play army" there's enough classes out there you can pick up the skills you're looking for, and meet the guys who can give you better career direction. Over the next several years you'll build up and try out a lot of gear, practice what you do, meet folks of like mind... and probably get pretty good. But it will always be a hobby. If you can accept that, you'll do fine. If you can't, you'll become a laughingstock.
If you want to do the real thing.. sign up or forget it. Period. The only place where Joe Schmoe gets called in to take care of the rough stuff the professionals can't handle is Hollywood.
-K
kaferhaus
Member
I think the Marines or the Army is just the ticket for you. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to let you go to Irag or somewhere along the Pakistani border and let you sate your appetite.
I spent 26yrs in the Army.
Cant' say I ever enjoyed shooting at anyone.. and I certainly didn't enjoy being shot at, shelled, mortared, rocketed etc.
And pulling leeches off my body during every patrol... now that was a good time..
30Cal
Member
Finding a rifle that will do that is pretty easy and probably won't cost you a fortune. Becoming a good enough rifleman to be able to do that may take some time, but it's not terribly hard.
The really hard thing is to be able to do that with targets at unknown ranges and to be able to estimate and compensate for wind and conditions. At 300yds and less, you don't need those skills, but they matter big time past 300. Shooting a .22 at 100yds+ will give you a feel for what it takes to score a hit.
Ty
The point I was trying to make to our young shooter was that while any rifle from a major mfg... be it Savage, Winchester, Remington, Ruger etc. is certainly capable of the accuracy needed to shoot the ace of spades from a playing card... you really do need to practice.
And yes, a .22 helps a great deal. One of the problems with training a new shooter on a semi-auto 22 is there is a tendency to empty the magazine as fast as you can, rather than paying attention to breath control, sight picture, trigger squeeze etc.
For a couple hundred bucks you can pick up a bolt action 22 or 22 magnum and a scope and learn a great deal. You can also learn to do it with iron sights... which Uncle Sam is more than willing to teach you.
I'd recommend reading up on the subject, and taking an NRA marksmanship class... heck marksmanship was my first merit badge as a boy scout. If I recall correctly, the 'merit badge book' is a pretty good primer on learning the basic skills of rifle marksmanship, and only costs a couple of bucks. Sure it doesn't read like The Carlos Hathcock story, but it has solid info.
And yes, a .22 helps a great deal. One of the problems with training a new shooter on a semi-auto 22 is there is a tendency to empty the magazine as fast as you can, rather than paying attention to breath control, sight picture, trigger squeeze etc.
For a couple hundred bucks you can pick up a bolt action 22 or 22 magnum and a scope and learn a great deal. You can also learn to do it with iron sights... which Uncle Sam is more than willing to teach you.
I'd recommend reading up on the subject, and taking an NRA marksmanship class... heck marksmanship was my first merit badge as a boy scout. If I recall correctly, the 'merit badge book' is a pretty good primer on learning the basic skills of rifle marksmanship, and only costs a couple of bucks. Sure it doesn't read like The Carlos Hathcock story, but it has solid info.
seeker_two
Member
And if the military & law enforcement doesn't work out, there's always the Mexican Border.... 
orionengnr
Member
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- Jan 3, 2005
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never claimed to be much of a sniper
...but I like shooting paper.
.308 Remington model 700 is a pretty decent shooting piece; ammo is reasonable and plentiful.
Marlin model 60 is a great learning tool (I've had one for 20 years or so) and great for introducing people to shooting. Talk about cheap ammo...
Transitioning from the Marlin to the 308, (if budget allows) how about a Model 700 in .223? Once again, cheap ammo equates to lots of practice rounds and a nice transition in platform/recoil/distance(range) and fun factor...
...but I like shooting paper.
.308 Remington model 700 is a pretty decent shooting piece; ammo is reasonable and plentiful.
Marlin model 60 is a great learning tool (I've had one for 20 years or so) and great for introducing people to shooting. Talk about cheap ammo...
Transitioning from the Marlin to the 308, (if budget allows) how about a Model 700 in .223? Once again, cheap ammo equates to lots of practice rounds and a nice transition in platform/recoil/distance(range) and fun factor...
I'm not a sniper (and will most likly never be) so if your looking for military advice, I really have very little information to give. The book Jarhead (about Marine snipers) was pretty good. However, I enjoy long range shooting. I own two long range rifles, both accurized versions of the remington 700. Between the two of them, the model done by george gardner of GA precision is much, MUCH better. Total safe queen though, I never really take it out, I like it too much to use it (catch 22). Still if you want a really nice long range rifle, he's probably a good guy to talk to.
-cps1
P.S. I learned to shoot with a remington 22. Just FYI. Best place to start.
-cps1
P.S. I learned to shoot with a remington 22. Just FYI. Best place to start.
Flatfender
Member
Look into smallbore (.22) silhouette shooting. NRA has info too.
Cheap ammo, great practice and it can make you humble.
Here's a nice site:
http://www.sunnyvalegunclub.com/SportShooting/Silhouette.html
Cheap ammo, great practice and it can make you humble.
Here's a nice site:
http://www.sunnyvalegunclub.com/SportShooting/Silhouette.html
kaferhaus
Member
AMEN!
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