Ausies Set New Sniper Record

Who'll get to 3,000 m first?

Barrett M82A1 50 caliber rifle

Earlier this year a Commando sniper team was secreted in Helmand. Through binoculars at a distance invisible to the naked eye they spotted a group of Taliban. The soldiers having means of identifying targets went through a process of obtaining verification and permission to engage.

Two marksmen using Barrett M82A1 50 calibre rifles simultaneously fired. The bullets were six seconds in the air. One killed the Taliban commander. It is not known for certain which sniper fired the fatal shot.

While there have been no triumphant press releases, in the tight global Special Forces sniper community the shot is much discussed, because it seems certain to be a world record.

Australian SOTG Sniper Team in Yakima, WA Afghanistan

As the bullet yawed through the thin air on a windless morning, GPS aids measured the distance at 2815m.

Last I'd heard, the record holder was the aptly named Canadian sniper Rob Furlong, but apparently he'd already been surpassed. 

The previous world record achieved by British Corporal Craig Harrison occurred also in Helmand in November 2009. Firing from a distance of 2475m, Harrison killed two Taliban.

Such feats are mind-boggling, and highly effective against the enemy, not only fisically, but also psychologically.  Also, a sniper's bullet is far less likely to cause collateral damage than an air strike, artillery or even a assault by an infantry platoon or SOF team.

Unfortunately, the talent, self-discipline and will to necessary to achieve such skill are rare.  Consequently, mass producing such Soldiers is impossible.