Longest Sniper kill 2.2 miles !
- Thread starter Zero333
- Start date
OK, I was just jesting... I thought a little levity would be good.
It was the middle 16" 50 caliber barrel in battleship New Jersey's #2 turret. The barrel is 50 caliber's long; 800 inches.
When my friend reported aboard for duty, the main battery officer in charge said to him in so many words: "I know you were one of the best long range rifle shooters on the Navy team and loaded some of their good ammo. Are you going to have your turret crew weigh then adjust all 660-pound full charge weights to a 1/10th grain spread?" To which the Chief replied, "Yes sir, commander, if you wish. But the rate of fire will change from 2 rounds per minute to 2 rounds per week." They got along well.
It was the middle 16" 50 caliber barrel in battleship New Jersey's #2 turret. The barrel is 50 caliber's long; 800 inches.
When my friend reported aboard for duty, the main battery officer in charge said to him in so many words: "I know you were one of the best long range rifle shooters on the Navy team and loaded some of their good ammo. Are you going to have your turret crew weigh then adjust all 660-pound full charge weights to a 1/10th grain spread?" To which the Chief replied, "Yes sir, commander, if you wish. But the rate of fire will change from 2 rounds per minute to 2 rounds per week." They got along well.
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As far as I know, the spotter calculates the firing solution and gives the shooter the green light to send the payload.
So indeed the spotter deserves much of the credit.
Good comment.
They also depend upon one another for survival.
rkittine
Gold $$ Contributor
I would guess that the sound that the enemy might have heard 2.2 miles away after a miss wouldn't make him think it was a round intended for him, though if close enough he might have heard it, especially while sub-sonic. And even if it took 10 shots to do it, what a feat. Can't see why we are allowed sighter's and the snipers wouldn't be allowed!
dcali
Bullet Maker
I saw it reported that it was the first shot. The percentage probability of a hit under those conditions is probably in the low single digits, even with a bunch of sighters. But that's why it's so unusual.
But what I really want to know is why take such a shot in the first place knowing that you'll probably miss? What's the tactical reasoning? Any military guys care to explain?
But what I really want to know is why take such a shot in the first place knowing that you'll probably miss? What's the tactical reasoning? Any military guys care to explain?
Part of the statement from JTF2: "We will not discuss precise details on when and how this incident took place".
That has been on my mind also!
hogpatrol
Silver $$ Contributor
I agree but in the moment, who knows how many and what other factors were involved in the decision making. Then again, there may have been closer backup just in case.
At any rate, one hell of a shot.
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
A friend of mine was quite impressed with the New Jersey. We were at work one night, in the mid 70's, and most of us were somewhat recently back from our tropical vacation. He was Army and I a Marine Air winger. Not a real Marine by 03 standards.
I don't remember how we got to this point in our conversation, but he told of his unit being pinned down by a sniper and they were having no luck taking him out. They called in a fire mission for artillery support and after no response from the arty guys, the New Jersey answered. They gave the coordinates for the target and in a few minutes the target was taken out with the first round. His comment was "man, those mfers can shoot. It took the whole tree out". Needless to say, Robert was impressed by Naval gunfire in that instance.
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Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
That was essentially my point earlier. This is not the type of shot that can be counted with any stretch of the imagination, definitely not something around which you build a mission.
I understand these guys communicate with lots of people. They carry around some interesting equipment for surveillance and as shooting aids. There may have been observers that were much closer to the target than this team was. My big issue is even being able to see a target at 2 miles through a riflescope. I can't help thinking that a closer observer may be able to designate the target area in some fashion that will be visible or usable by the shooting team. The shooting team would then concentrate on putting a bullet on the designated area. They would have the exact distance and direction of fire already in the computer; figuring out the environmental would be the remaining parts of the firing solution. Perhaps again, some of the downrange conditions could be provided by others. Once all that is in there and buttoned up, the shot could be taken. All this does is to deliver a silent 750gr projectile somewhere in the target area and scare the crap out of people and that may be all that's needed. Hitting someone almost becomes secondary.
But I'm not a military guy and I have no clue what I'm talking about.
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When I was in the service and given a mission...you did what you were ordered to do to accomplish the mission
at any cost...but heck that was 45 years ago for me...LOL
I would imagine that would be the same today butI don't know. They were given a mission and seems they fulfilled their objective ...what a shot!!! It would be cool
to have been there when all of this was going on to see all the calculating going on to make that shot.
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