Sniper

The traditional definition of a sniper is an infantry soldier especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who kills selected enemies from concealment with a rifle at large distances. Typically and ideally, a proficient sniper approaches an unaware enemy presence, uses a single bullet per target, and withdraws without being seen. The word originates from the snipe, a game bird difficult for hunters to sneak up on.

Sniper training

While good equipment is helpful, it is the training that makes a sniper. Military sniper training tries to teach a high degree of proficiency in camouflage and concealment, stalking and observation as well as precision marksmanship under wide operational conditions.

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Snipers are volunteers accepted for sniper training on the basis of their aptitude as perceived by their commanders. Sniper trainees typically shoot thousands of rounds over a number of weeks. The training teaches core skills of camouflage, concealment, moving tactically over terrain, observation and rifle-shooting under varying conditions. Military snipers may be trained as FACs (Forward Air Controllers) to direct military air strikes, FOOs (Forward Observation Officers) in artillery target indication, and as mortar fire controllers (MFCs).

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Snipers are trained to squeeze the trigger straight back with the ball of their finger, to avoid jerking the gun sideways. The most accurate position is prone, with a sandbag supporting the stock, and the stock's cheek-piece against the cheek. In the field, a bipod can be used instead. Sometimes a sling is wrapped around the weak arm (or both) to reduce stock movement. Some doctrines train a sniper to breathe deeply before shooting, then hold their lungs empty while they line up and take their shot. Some go further, teaching their snipers to shoot between heartbeats to minimize barrel motion.

Related Topics:
Sandbag - Bipod

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The range to the target is measured or estimated as precisely as conditions permit. Laser rangefinders may be used, but is not preferred on the battle field because a laser can be seen from both the sender and the receiver. One useful method is comparing the height of the target (or nearby objects) to their size on the mil dot scope, or taking a known distance and using some sort of measure (utility poles, fence posts) to determine the additional distance. The average human head is 6 inches (150 mm) in width, on average human shoulders are 20 inches (500 mm) from one to the other and on average from a persons crotch to top of their head is 39 inches (1 m).

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An object 2 metres high at 1000 metres has a visual angle of 2 mils. At 500 metres it has a visual angle of 4 mils. Using this information a sniper can measure the angle of the target through mil his target and using a simple equation to figure out how far away the target is. It is a more complicated in inches and yards and the follow equation can be used: object size in inches x 27.77 / size of object in mils = distance in yards.

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At longer ranges, bullet drop plays a significant role in targetting. The effect can be estimated from a chart which may be memorised or taped to the rifle, although some scopes come with Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) systems that only require the range be dialled in. These are tuned to both a specific class of rifle and specific ammunition. It must be noted that every bullet type and load will have different ballistics. .308 Federal 175 grain (11.3 g) BTHP match shoots at 2600 ft/s (790 m/s). Zeroed at 100 yds, you will have to make a 16.2 MOA adjustment to hit a target at 600 yards where you want. If you are shooting the same bullet with 168 grain (10.9 g), you would have to make a 17.1 MOA adjustment to hit your target at 600 yds.

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Shooting uphill or downhill can require more adjustment due to the effects of gravity. Wind also plays a role, the effect increasing with windspeed or the distance of the shot. The slant of visible convections near the ground can be used to estimate crosswinds, and correct the point of aim.

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All adjustments for range, wind, and elevation can be performed either by "holding off" by eye also known as Kentucky windage. The most accurate way is called "dialling in" your scope. The latter adjusts the scope so that the crosshairs point at the target, despite the effects of the factors above. With precision mechanics, dialling in is more accurate, as the eye can more easily line up and hold the target. When you dial in your scope, you are wanting your point of aim to be the point of impact.

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For moving targets, the point of aim is in front of the target. This is known as "leading" the target, with the amount of lead depending on the speed and angle of the target's movement. For this technique, holding off is the preferred method. Anticipating the behavior of the target is necessary to accurately place the shot.

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