Short range police round?

[mattri]

Was talking to a retired LEO yesterday about their "tactical" teams, making shots at relatively short range, very volatile situations, lots of variables and obviously one shot effectiveness very important. He was saying that the 308 was overkill but that they used it for lack of a better option.

Got me wondering- if shots are known to be relatively short range, 300 yards and in, what would be some rounds to consider?

 

[SKWERLZ]

6mm BR or 7mm BR would be interesting.

 

[LVLAaron]

How is .308 overkill if one shot effectiveness is a priority? Seems like a perfect tactical round to me.

 

[paperpuncher]

CREEDMORE mic drop

 

[762willdo]

The average police sniper shot is something like 30 yards……..so .300 blackout should do it…

 

[Will Henry]

One RCMP team I know of used a Remington in 22-250 as their primary sniper weapon. The theory was that they could avoid excess penetration. As far as I know, it was never used in an actual tactical situation, but it was used to shoot several coyotes during unofficial rural patrols. WH

 

[R.Morehouse]

300 Blackout. The optimum barrel length is around 10", suppressed it is short and manageable in tight spaces.

Regards
Rick

 

[dantiff2]

300 Blackout. The optimum barrel length is around 10", suppressed it is short and manageable in tight spaces.

Regards
Rick

Blackout all day long -as mentioned, in short config with a can and frangible ammo. No worries about innocent bystanders due to over penetration.

 

[MSS]

Here’s an older article listing engagement distance at 51 yards. I wonder if it still holds true.

SWAT Snipers

For as long as most active SWAT operators have been police officers, there has been one gospel truth about SWAT sniper operations: the 70-Yard Rule. Ask any SWAT sniper what is the average range of a police sniper shooting, and he will answer, “About 70 yards.” Ask him the source of his data...

www.policemag.com

 

[Dimner]

How is .308 overkill if one shot effectiveness is a priority? Seems like a perfect tactical round to me.

I think it depends on if you are talking police sniper or a breech tactical team. In my opinion 308 should only be used for sniping.

Effectiveness is only half the equation when it comes to law enforcement ballistics. The other part is getting the bullet to stop without hurting anyone else. I think 300BO is the way to go for short range encounters with auto feed carbines.

 

[Eagle Six]

Distance to target is of secondary importance, over kill is of secondary importance. What is more important is over penetration and the ability of the sniper with his/her equipment given the condition they are dealt to make the shot from a cold or clean cold barrel.

 

[divingin]

Off-topic: I do know that the CA Fish and Game guys (would have been in the late 90's/early 00's , I think) started carrying M1A's in addition to the normal shotgun + AR-15, due to the numerous MJ grows (made for a fairly crowded long gun rack in their trucks.) The warden I knew said some guys complained that they were getting deflected shots when shooting through vegetation (no idea if this was true or not, but the addition of the 308 was fact.)

 

[SteveOak]

I am continually amazed that anyone recommends 308 for anything.

 

[LVLAaron]

I am continually amazed that anyone recommends 308 for anything.

How dare you.

 

[LVLAaron]

I think it depends on if you are talking police sniper or a breech tactical team. In my opinion 308 should only be used for sniping.

Effectiveness is only half the equation when it comes to law enforcement ballistics. The other part is getting the bullet to stop without hurting anyone else. I think 300BO is the way to go for short range encounters with auto feed carbines.

Agree with 300 for close quarters stuff. But 309 yards? Naw man.

 

[David Milisock]

How is .308 overkill if one shot effectiveness is a priority? Seems like a perfect tactical round to me.

I agree, urban, suburban and most other situations not involving armored objects within 300 yards the 308 is very good.

 

[David Milisock]

Blackout all day long -as mentioned, in short config with a can and frangible ammo. No worries about innocent bystanders due to over penetration.

A problem against body armor.

 

[David Milisock]

The average police sniper shot is something like 30 yards……..so .300 blackout should do it…

Body armor will be a problem as well as window glass.

 

[David Milisock]

I am continually amazed that anyone recommends 308 for anything.

You must be easily amazed, or inexperienced.

 

[David Milisock]

I think it depends on if you are talking police sniper or a breech tactical team. In my opinion 308 should only be used for sniping.

Effectiveness is only half the equation when it comes to law enforcement ballistics. The other part is getting the bullet to stop without hurting anyone else. I think 300BO is the way to go for short range encounters with auto feed carbines.

I question the 300 black out abilities against commercial windows glass.