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Has anyone ever seen a sniper rifle win a rifle match?


N Jensen

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This topic might fire up some people and I probably could get some heat on. But based on my experience shooting NRA HP (200, 300, 600 and Long range 800, 900, and 1000 yds) I have yet to see a person show up with a high dollar sniper rifle and win the rifle match at distance.  Also, in today's competitive rifle matches F-class or HP it seems that the 308 in order for the rifle to win must have their own class. In other words the only way a 308 can win if everyone was shooting 308 rifles, like Palma matches and Tactical F-class 308. I can hear everyone screaming right now, shooting HP is not the same as a sniper rifle match where one has to determine distance while HP is known distance. A hit anywhere on a silhouette is a hit while in HP it has to be in the center all the time to win. A sniper rifle uses a scope while HP one has to use iron sights (service rifle sights or aperture sights on a match rifle). In HP one uses heavy shooting jackets slings, and mats. In sniper matches, not much gear is needed if any at all.

I do have a DPMS AR 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor set up as sniper rifle. Very fun to shoot. At the 100/200 range I have people ask me about it. When I have a match rifle at the same range hardly no will ask me any questions about it. One rifle is cool looking and one is not.

It would be interesting what everyone's thoughts are, take it easy one me.

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Have you ever seen an off-road race truck win a NASCAR race ?

Would you allow the sniper rifle to use a scope in the HP match ?

Have you ever seen an HP rifle win a sniper match ?

The main reason the 6.5's are the dominant caliber in F-class or HP is the large number of shots fired favors a lower recoil cartridge.

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Your right, I never seen a off road car in a NASCAR race, good point. NRA has a tactical match rifle class which allows a scope on a target rifle, The match rifle class must have iron sights. I just never seen anyone show up at mid or long range match with a sniper rifle and win it. Granted the new f-class target is smaller than the HP target. I'm sure there are some very good f-class shooters would clean my clock on the range. But if one had to use factory ammo LRM118 or 852, Federal match 175/168 for the traditional 308 military sniper cartridge, he would be hard pressed to win.

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Some of those rifles that win those matches are ridiculously well crafted just for precise shooting and built entirely around it.

Precise shooting is just one of many things a sniper rifle is built for. Sniper rifles also have to be somewhat light (heavy for war rifles but light by competition standards) rugged for combat conditions, which can negatively effect it's ability to stand up against a precision target rifle etc.

Sniper rifles are designed to withstand battlefield conditions and still be able to accurately hit their purpose target from purpose range. They are designed with all kinds of battlefield factors in mind. Precision target rifles are often equally well designed but entirely around making the smallest hole in the bulseye from it's purpose distance.

Target rifles are made to play for $ and prize.

Sniper rifles are made to play for keeps.

In a nutshell, if you want some perspective on why sniper rifles are not the best for winning those matches, try picturing things in reverse and imagine snipers in Afghanistan and other war zones trying to use those target rifles.

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Anyone ever seen an F-class rifle, or a match rifle, record the longest kill in a combat zone?

What rifle was Carlos Hathcock's favorite? 

What rifle did Chris Kyle use on his deployments in the last decade?

Food for thought.  <dontknow>

You're talking apples and hammers, here.

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Remember there are two types of Snipers out there. Mil and LEO. Most Mil Sniper rifles are designed to shoot multiple rounds, at maximum ranges, where aiming center mass is ok, and any hit counts. LEO Sniper rifles are designed to be fired one time. Usually between 40-400 yards. That single shot must absolutely end the situation the sniper is in.

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