Best 3 Sniper Rifles in the World: The sniper in special operations and infantry units is one unique operator. Able to sneak into position silently and willing to sit for hours, even days, it takes a rare shooter to attend sniper schools, much less graduate from the training and deploy with a unit.
The sniper is a force multiplier, not only able to shoot but to collect intelligence when in oversight or reconnaissance mode. Here are three top sniper rifles that are the weapons of choice for many a sniper.
Best 3 Sniper Rifles in the World: L115A3 Is a Record-Setter
You can’t ignore the Accuracy International L115A3 sniper rifle. This is in use by the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines. The L115A3 has set some amazing records. In 2009, British Corporal Craig Harrison fired three shots in Afghanistan that resulted in two confirmed Taliban kills with a third round shattering a PKM machine gun they were carrying in Helmand Province. These shots were fired 2.47 kilometers (2,706 yards) away. In 2013, another British sniper in Afghanistan used the L115A3 to eliminate six Taliban with one shot from 850 meters (930 yards) away. This happened during a battle with at least 15 Taliban. The shot hit one Taliban militant, and this exploded the suicide vest he was wearing. The blast killed five other insurgents.
As you would expect, the L115A3 fires a powerful, long-range .338 Lapua round. It has a five-round magazine. The 15-pound bolt action rifle is equipped with a folding stock to enable the sniper to carry it in his ruck sack. It can be equipped with a suppressor and bipod. The sight magnifies targets up to 25 times. This rifle is also carried by U.S. Delta Force and U.K. Special Air Service.
L115A3 Sniper Rifle. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
A sniper in full camouflage shows off the 7.62mm L115A3 Sniper rifle at the Land Combat Power Demonstration (LCPD).
Image: Creative Commons.
A sniper from the Mobility Recce Force of 1 Royal Welsh, aims his L115A3 rifle on a Reassurance Patrol north of Patrol Base Wahid, Nad-E’ Ali, Helmand. The patrol had successfully partnered with a platoon of Afghan National Army soldiers for the patrol.
British snipers fulfil a vital and enduring role on the battlefield, in terms of intelligence-gathering, target identification and eliminating high-value targets.
The L115A3 rifle, part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP), is a large-calibre weapon which provides state-of-the-art telescopic day and night all-weather sights, increasing a sniper’s effective range considerably.
The first batch of SSIPs were deployed to Afghanistan in May 2008.
Best 3 Sniper Rifles in the World: McMillan TAC-50 Is Heavy-Duty
Fifty caliber anti-material sniper rifles often elicit oohs and awes by the general public. They are powerful enough to take out an engine block of a truck at long-range. Just imagine what they could do to enemy personnel. The McMillan TAC-50 was originally taken up by the Canadian military in 2000 and now it is in service in eight different countries. In 2002, a Canadian sniper named Rob Furlong shot an insurgent in Afghanistan from 2.43 kilometers (2,656 yards) away using the McMillan TAC-50. In 2017, another Canadian killed an ISIS terrorist in Iraq at a range of 3,540 meters (3,870 yards) using the TAC-50. The U.S. Navy SEALs call it the Mk 15 and take it into battle too.
The TAC-50 is bolt-action and has lighter recoil than other .50 caliber anti-material rifles due to its muzzle brake and match-grade barrel. It comes with a five-round magazine. The TAC-50 has a rail so it can be fitted with different sights. It can also be mounted with a suppressor. The TAC-50 is 26 pounds.
Image: Creative Commons.
TAC-50. Image: Creative Commons.
Best 3 Sniper Rifles in the World: Remington MSR Is Highly Versatile
The Remington Modular Sniper Rifle won the U.S. Special Operations Command Precision Sniper Rifle contract competition. It eclipsed the Sako TRG-42, Accuracy International AX338, Barrett MRAD, and Blaser R93 to win the bid. There are several types of rounds that it can fire – .338 Lapua, .338 Norma, .300 Win Mag, and 7.62×51 NATO (.308 Win). Magazines can hold up to ten-rounds depending on the caliber and cartridge used. Now designated the Mk-21 Precision Sniper Rifle, It has a side-folding stock for greater portability along with a pistol grip. The Picatinny rail (top, sides, and underside) can be outfitted with different types of sights and accessories. The maximum effective range is 1,500 meters (1,640 yards).
Best 3 Sniper Rifles in the World: What Rifle Is Number 1?
My money is on the L115A3 because of its combat performance. The McMillan has that powerful anti-material capability that gives it frightening psychological effect to intimidate the enemy. The Remington can be chambered in multiple calibers depending on what the shooter prefers for the mission required. Other top sniper rifles include the Sako TRG M10 and the Barrett MRAD.
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Now serving as 1945’s Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood.
