I see (on tv) most all sniper type rifles are Bolt action, typically a Winchester 70.
Why? Over a blow-back rifle does a locked up
breech offer that much more in fps?
A statement of general truth, for the history of the profession, but one was recently turned on it’s head in Iraq.I think another consideration is that snipers are typically taking one shot at a time. There's no need for speed, so to speak.
Diversity is a good thing.A statement of general truth, for the history of the profession, but one was recently turned on it’s head in Iraq.
The M110 platform really came into its own in the highly dynamic urban theaters, with short exposures, and relatively short ranges from contact to 7-800 meters. With a decent VPO, they do a helluva job in an emergency suppressive fire mode as well; though the individual sniper’s loadout isn’t typically enough rounds for their primary long rifle to last very long in a firefight, the battle effects of heavier rounds inflicted with precision has been proven time and time again.
Then, we went to Afghanistan, and found that a .308 just doesn’t go very far.
So there’s a place for all of the above:
LPVO-equipped M16, Mid-VPO M110, high mag scoped .300 Mag (which I would just skip for .338, if it were me making the decision), and the .50, in one flavor or another. A few integrally suppressed 10/22 rifles are handy, on occasion.
700 variants are more popular for special purpose rifles in recent history post Vietnam Era. Increasingly popular are spr gas guns with swat and local pd.I see (on tv) most all sniper type rifles are Bolt action, typically a Winchester 70.
Why? Over a blow-back rifle does a locked up
breech offer that much more in fps?
Again, cost-benefit. A semi-auto *can* be just as strong but there are more parts moving faster so it takes more effort/cost. Besides, it only has to be strong enough to not distort under the cartridge's power, being stronger than necessary provides no accuracy benefit.I didn't read the attached article, but I always thought it was a matter of bolt lockup being stronger in a bolt action rifle. Stronger lockup, better accuracy. Is that correct? However, this theory was developed before the AR market exploded, and, I'm guessing, great strides were made in accuracy from that platform. It would be interesting to see a side by side shoot with same marksman and scope at same range, same caliber etc.
There is almost always a spotter. The US has gone to sending squad-strength sniper elements a lot of the time, and sometimes small platoon-size, particularly in urban terrain that shows generalized hostility and/or guerrilla organizations. Basically, if the parameters of the mission allow for a slightly increased footprint (ie, lower stealth) in the immediate vicinity of the team, then a larger force will almost certainly be deployed; the ability of 4-10, maybe even 15 soldiers to fight their way out of a problem instead of immediately requiring QRF…it’s a good investment.In most cases I seen/heard, if there is an assistant sniper, he usually has a semi-auto, or auto, like an M-14....in case the defecation hits the oscillator.....
Well, I don’t think there is any doubt that, as a type, the bolt action rifle has more accuracy potential than does the AR.Just my personal experience. My bolt action rifles do seem to shoot more accurately or I just shoot bolt action rifles better than AR type rifles.