Originally posted by JBA
Carlos
In 1967, Hathcock set a record for the longest combat kill with a 0.50 caliber BMG mounting a telescopic sight. The distance was an astounding 2250 meters.
thats 1.42 miles, holy sh,sh,
lets not forget the canadians..
The record stood until 2002, when it was broken during Operation Anaconda when a Canadian three-man sniper team from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), set the new record with a shot of 2,430 meters on a Taliban fighter.
1.53 miles
That's interesting, since the only weapon I've seen listed as being used by Carlos Hathcock was a .308 (7.62 Nato) bolt action sniper rifle (once classified as an M40A or M40A1?). I'm not saying it isn't true, I'm just saying I'm not aware of Carlos Hathcock ever using any sort of 50 BMG sniper rifle. As best I remember, his active military service in the field ended in the late sixties or early seventies, when he was severely burned while rescuing several guys from a burning amtrack.
The military 50 BMG bolt action and semi auto sniper rifles (the Barretts) were designed about 15 miles from here in a steakhouse on a napkin by Ronnie Barrett, then a Rutherford County Deputy Sheriff in the early eighties. Ronnie is a friend and customer of mine, the rifles are now built in the old BlueBird school bus factory.
The Army has, or maybe had (it may be gone with all the facility closures), a proving ground down the road in Bell Buckle, I went down there with Ronnie right after Desert Storm, and shot his rifles on their proving ground. I was able to hold about an 8" group at maximum range by mid day. The damned things are incredible, and to me easier to shoot than my Model 70 300 Winchester Magnum. I'd love to have one just for fun, but can't afford $4K for a firearm. You'd think Ronnie could get me a deal, but he can't.
