Sniper rifle
A high-precision, long-range rifle for military and law enforcement.
Last updated
Charles Rosemond · Public domain
A sniper rifle is a precision firearm designed for accurate long-range engagement, typically distinguished by a telescopic sight and specialized stock.[1] Modern sniper rifles circa 2010 are far more durable and accurate than World War II models.[2] Sir Joseph Whitworth's 1854 design, which used hexagonal polygonal rifling, is often called the first long-range sniper rifle in military history.[3][4]
Quick Facts
- Effective range
- about 800 meters (M24 Sniper Weapon System)
- Accuracy
- 0.5 MOA (M24 Sniper Weapon System)
- Caliber
- 7.62×51mm (M24 Sniper Weapon System)
- Service period
- 1988 to 2010 (United States Army standard-issue sniper rifle)
- Max range historical
- 2,000 yards (around 1,830 meters) for Whitworth rifle
- First optical sights
- Crimean War
- First sniper unit
- Lovat Scouts (British Army, formed 1899)
Facts from the source article.
How it changed
In 1857 trials, the Whitworth outperformed the Enfield by about three to one in accuracy and range.[5] The Whitworth could hit targets at 2,000 yards, while the Enfield managed only 1,400 yards.[5] Colonel D. Davidson pioneered work with optical sights made by Chance Brothers.[6] The word "sniper" came into common use during World War I and II, replacing "sharpshooter" or "marksman".[7]
Modern sniper rifles exceed 1,000 m effective range and are among the most accurate weapons in use.[8] Optical sights were first created for attachment to rifles during the Crimean War.[6]
What the maker and period sources say
The "Whitworth Rifle" account states that the Whitworth was the first long-range sniper rifle, designed by Sir Joseph Whitworth in 1854 to overcome the Enfield's weaknesses.[4] At 1,400 yards, the Whitworth hit a 55.44-inch group while the Enfield recorded no hits.[4]
References
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Plaster, "The Ultimate Sniper: an Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers", 1993 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pegler 2010, p. 31; Popenker, Max (2001). "Modern sniper rifles". World Guns. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Whitworth Rifle" (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- "Whitworth Rifle". facts only, no text reused. americancivilwarstory.com
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Institution of Civil Engineers 1860 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pegler 2004 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pegler 2004; "Telescopic Sights For Rifles." The British Medical Journal. vol. 1, no. 2891, 1916, p. 765.; Pegler 2004; Pegler 2004 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Sniper rifle" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Popenker, Max (2001). "Modern sniper rifles". World Guns. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Sniper rifle (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Sniper Rifles
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Sniper rifle (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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