Real Life Sniper Equipment???

[sparksinner]

I've heard a lot of stuff about snipers in the military but I fear most of it is junk. I'd like to know more about what kind of equipment is actually used on the front lines. In this case I'm thinking of the non 50BMG guys.

I've heard that in the real world you have a choice of rifles/cartridges. Is this actually the case, or do you use the 308 you trained with?

If you do get a choice, what's most popular? Do you see many of the new RUMs out there, or is the 300WinMag still big? And what about the big 338s?

And once you've got all that settled, what's the bullet that sees most use? I believe the 308 training is done with the 175gr MatchKing. In the Magnums, does the Nosler Ballistic Tip see any use? Or in the 300RUM, has the AccuBond been tested?

As you can see, I know enough to be dangerous. Please straighten me out.
Thanks,

 

[Dave King]

As far as I know the Army uses the M24 as the standard bolt action sniper rifle. You can buy the same rifle and setup direct from Remington.

http://www.remingtonle.com/rifle/m24.htm

The USMC uses the M40A3 now I believe. These are reportedly made at Quantico. They're Remington 700 actions built by Marine Corp armorers.

http://www.forcerecon.com/strongmenarmed3.htm Far down the page.

308 Win is about the standard, 50 BMG is "special".

175 Sierra MatchKing is standard round now I believe. Military designator ???

[ 03-01-2004: Message edited by: Dave King ]