This Sniper Rifle Can Hit Targets So Far Away, It Feels Like Cheating

Sniper rifles have played a critical role in modern warfare, particularly over the past century, by extending the effective range and precision of infantry forces. Designed for accuracy at long distances, these rifles allow highly trained marksmen to engage targets far beyond the reach of standard weapons, often influencing the outcome of missions and shaping battlefield tactics.

In recent decades, advancements in optics, ammunition, and rifle design have pushed the limits of long-range shooting even further. U.S. military snipers, in particular, have set records for extraordinary distance and precision, highlighting the growing importance of these systems in modern combat. In this slideshow, History Computer takes a closer look at one sniper rifle known for its remarkable range and performance.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 700 meters
• Weight: 10 pounds (with optics and 30-round magazine)
• Length: 37.5 inches
• Chambered for: 5.56x45mm ammunition

Though withdrawn from service in 2017, the Mk12 was used throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, and designated marksmen in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The compact sniper rifle is based on the M16 platform and is highly customizable to suit varying mission demands. With a semi-automatic action and a 20-30 round box magazine, the Mk12 allows for rapid follow-up shots at ranges out to 700 meters.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 17.3 pounds (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 46.5 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

Adopted by the American military in 2005, the M110 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle manufactured by the Knight's Armament Company. After extensive operational testing, it was first used in combat in Afghanistan by the U.S. Army's Task Force Fury.

The M110's semi-automatic action allows the shooter to shoot at multiple targets and fire rapid follow-up shots. The rifle is based on the Mk 11 Mod 0 used by the Marine Corps and Navy SEALs.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 9.3 pounds
• Length: 42.7 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

The M110A1 CSASS is a Squad Designated Marksman Rifle made by Heckler & Koch Defense Inc. The U.S. Army ordered 5,180 M110A1 rifles to $46.2 million in a 2019 contract, and the Marine Corps is also reportedly considering adopting the gun.

With a range of about 800 meters, the semi-automatic CSASS is intended to be used by sharpshooters in combat teams in rapid engagement scenarios.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 16.5 pounds (with sight and bipod)
• Length: 44.2 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

The M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a long-range variant of the M14 rifle carried by designated marksmen in Marine squads beginning in 2008, though many have been replaced with variants of the M110 rifle.

The M39 comes standard with a folding bipod, a variable length stock, and a pistol grip, and is fed with a 20-round detachable box magazine. It has an effective range of about 800 meters.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 15 pounds (loaded)
• Length: 43 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

The M24 is a bolt-action sniper rifle that is effectively a modified version of the popular civilian Remington 700 hunting rifle. The M24 was the primary sniper rifle of the U.S. Army from 1988 until the 2010s but has been replaced by the M2010 and M110, faster-firing semi-automatic sniper rifles with greater range.

While similar to the M40 sniper rifle used by the Marine Corps, the U.S. Army's M24 features a more extended action, allowing for longer rifle cartridges, and it has a 24-inch barrel, 1 inch shorter than the barrel used by the Marines.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 16.5 pounds
• Length: 49.8 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51 millimeter NATO

Like the M24 used by the U.S. Army, based on the Remington 700 hunting rifle, the Marine Corps M40 is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered for 7.62x51 millimeter NATO ammunition. However, the Marine's M40 has a longer barrel than the Army's rifle and a shorter action, meaning it cannot accept some of the longer cartridges that can be loaded in the M24.

Also, like the M24, the M40 is being phased out. Initially losing favor to the Mk13 Mod 7 sniper rifle, the new Mk22 will now replace both rifles. The M40 first entered service during the Vietnam War, and the latest iteration, the M40A6, was introduced in 2016 and features a folding stock.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 910 meters
• Weight: 10.7 pounds
• Length: 42.5 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

The Mk20 Sniper Support Rifle was designed as a sniper version of the Mk17 assault rifle. Designed for use by the U.S. Special Operations Command, and first fielded in 2011, it comes equipped with rails for mounting sights and can maintain accuracy out to 1,000 yards. The rifle is semi-automatic with a 20-round detachable box magazine and is used by spotters in two-man sniper/spotter teams and by designated marksmen.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,000 meters
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Length: 43 inches
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag

Like the M24 used by the Army and the M40 used by the Marine Corps, the M91A1 is based on the Remington 700 hunting rifle. The M91A2 is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, explicitly developed for the U.S. Navy. The rifle stock is made from Kevlar and fiberglass and is typically fitted with 10x magnification scopes. The gun uses a four-round internal magazine and is effective out to 1,000 meters.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,200 meters
• Weight: 18.7 pounds (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 52.2 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag ammunition

Made by Remington Arms, the M2010 is an updated version of the M24 sniper rifle. Like the M24, it is based on the Remington Model 700 hunting rifle and has a five-round capacity. But, chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition, it has an effective range of 1,200 meters - 400 meters more than the M24. The M2010 ESR was first fielded by the U.S. Army and Special Forces in Afghanistan in early 2011.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,300 meters
• Weight: 9 pounds
• Length: 48.4 inches
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag

The Mk13 is a bolt-action sniper rifle that recently replaced the Marine Corps' M40 sniper rifle. Adopted in 2020, the Mk13 is now used by scout snipers, Recon Marines, Navy SEALs, and other SOCOM units. The newer rifle, chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition, adds 300 meters to its effective range over its predecessor and is issued to snipers with a suppressor to reduce muzzle flash and the acoustic signature

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 1,370 meters
• Weight: 15.3 pounds
• Length: 45.5 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

Adopted by the Navy SEALs in the 1990s, and later by the Marine Corps, the Mk11 Mod 0 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle based on the SR 25 assault rifle. The gun features a detachable suppressor, a bi-pod, and a 5, 10, or 20-round box magazine.

Though replaced by the Mk20 in 2017, the Mk11 was used by Navy SEALs who rescued Capt. Richard Phillips, who had been taken hostage by pirates in 2009. Similar to the Army's M110, the Mk11 has a folding front sight and a modular rail system unlike the Army variation.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,500 meters
• Weight: 19 pounds (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 50 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62×51mm, .300 Norma Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum ammunition

The MK22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design Rifle by Barrett Firearms won a $50 million contract after USSOCOM announced it was looking for a multi-caliber modular sniper rifle. The new bolt-action rifle is expected to replace several existing sniper rifle systems in the Army and Marine Corps, including the M40A6 and Mk13 Mod 7 rifles. The gun is relatively lightweight, highly adjustable, and fed with a 10-round box magazine.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,600 meters
• Weight: 11 pounds
• Length: 48 inches
• Chambered for: .338 Lapua Magnum

The TAC-338 sniper rifle is a precision anti-personnel rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition. Used by the U.S. Navy SEALs, the TAC-338 has a 1,600-meter range, though there are reports of some marksmen hitting targets from over 2,000 meters out. The rifle is bolt-action and fed with a five-round detachable box magazine.

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,600 meters
• Weight: 26.9 pounds
• Length: 57 inches
• Chambered for: .50 BMG

The Mk15 is a unique application sniper rifle used by the Navy SEALs primarily as an anti-material weapon. The military version of the civilian McMillan TAC-50, the Mk15 fires .50 caliber bullets, fed through a five-round detachable box magazine, powerful enough to penetrate brick and concrete. However, it can also be used against armored vehicles and personnel.

The Mk15 has an effective range of 1,600 meters under optimal conditions. However, a Canadian marksman is credited with a kill using a version of this rifle at a range of over 3,200 meters, the longest ever recorded for any sniper.

• Action type: Semi-automatic
• Range: 1,850 meters
• Weight: 30.9 pounds
• Length: 48 inches
• Chambered for: .50 BMG

Barrett M82 is a long-range sniper rifle, powerful enough to penetrate armored vehicles, body armor, and brick walls at a distance. Used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the M82 is similar to the Army's M107 in that they shoot .50 caliber ammunition, fed from a 10-round detachable box magazine. However, the M82 is shorter and a couple of pounds heavier than its Army counterpart. It also has more significant recoil and a different bipod.