These 16 weapons are redefining long-range warfare

Since the start of the 2024 presidential race, there have been two assassination attempts on the life of former President Donald Trump. A recent report found that a police sniper may have saved Trump during the first assassination attempt. After would-be assassin Thomas Crooks shot Trump, a SWAT operator shot Crooks from nearly 100 yards (300 feet) away. The SWAT operator hit Crooks’ gun, and Crooks was later killed by a regular shooter. This incident demonstrates how skilled snipers can play a crucial role in providing protection and defuse dangerous situations from a distance. But sniper rifles are not only used in local, protective situations. Snipers and sniper rifles are an important part of military power. Military snipers can engage targets over a mile away, allowing military forces to provide long-range support to ground troops without exposing them to serious danger. (This high-tech sniper rifle costs $27,500.)

Different sniper rifles are suited for different missions and uses, so the military must choose which rifle fits each specific scenario. As the nature of warfare continues to change, the U.S. military is also beginning to look at higher-tech, next-generation rifles that can also fire at longer ranges. No rifle can shoot 2,500 yards yet—though some on this list have come close. However, future development of the rifle may focus on longer-range options. Here at 24/7 Wall St. identified the 16 sniper rifles used by the US military. We obtained data from a number of sources, including military manuals, government press releases, and firearms publications. Some rifle models that have recently been replaced or are in the process of being replaced have also been considered.

What you should know about sniper rifles

With multiple wars raging across the globe and mass shootings, guns are at the forefront of the American mind. There is a wide range of weapons, from the hunting rifles that our grandparents wielded, to the machine guns so feared for their destructive power. While guns can and are used for wrongdoing every day, the sniper rifles on this list are used to defend American interests.

Here are the 16 sniper rifles the US military uses:

16. M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 9.3 pounds
• Length: 42.7 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

15. M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle (LRSR)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 1,500 meters for personnel, 2,000 meters for material
• Weight: £35 (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 57 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: .50 BMG ammunition

14. Barrett M82

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 1,850 meters
• Weight: 30.9 pounds
• Length: 48 inches
• Chambered for: .50 BMG

13. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: £16.5 (with sight and bipod)
• Length: 44.2 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

12. M91A2 sniper rifle

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,000 meters
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Length: 43 inches
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag

11. M40A6

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 16.5 pounds
• Length: 49.8 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62×51 millimeter NATO

10. Mk20 Sniper Support Rifle (SSR)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 910 meters
• Weight: 10.7 pounds
• Length: 42.5 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

9. M24

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 15 pounds (loaded)
• Length: 43 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

8. M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle (ESR)

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,200 meters
• Weight: 18.7 pounds (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 52.2 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag ammo

7. Mk13 Mod7

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,300 meters
• Weight: 9 pounds
• Length: 48.4 inches
• Chambered for: .300 Win Mag

6. Mk11 MOD 0

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 1,370 meters
• Weight: 15.3 pounds
• Length: 45.5 inches
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm

5. McMillan TAC-338

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,600 meters
• Weight: 11 pounds
• Length: 48 inches
• Chambered for: .338 Lapua Magnum

4. MK22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design Rifle (MRAD)

• Action type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,500 meters
• Weight: £19 (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 50 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition, .300 Norma Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum

3. Mk15 Special Applications Sniper Rifle (SASR)

• Action Type: Bolt-action
• Range: 1,600 meters
• Weight: 26.9 pounds
• Length: 57 inches
• Chambered for: .50 BMG

2. M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 800 meters
• Weight: 17.3 pounds (loaded, with suppressor)
• Length: 46.5 inches (with suppressor)
• Chambered for: 7.62x51mm ammunition

1. Mk12 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR)

• Action type: Semiautomatic
• Range: 700 meters
• Weight: £10 (with scope and 30 round magazine)
• Length: 37.5 inches
• Chambered for: 5.56x45mm ammunition

The post These 16 Weapons Are Redefining Long Range Warfare appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.