| In the human being’s incessant quest | | | | 600 mm in some cases. This allows the entire |
| for newer and more effective ways of evening | | | | power of ignited gunpowder to be translated |
| the odds, some truly impressive inventions | | | | into bullet speed. They are also invariably |
| dot the trail of history. The sniper rifle is | | | | equipped with telescopic sights and often |
| to tactical violence what the electron | | | | even infrared targeting devices that allow |
| microscope is to vision. It drastically | | | | for accurate placement of the shot. Yet |
| reduces the number of variables involved in | | | | another advanced feature in contemporary |
| zeroing in on a chosen target and is, for all | | | | sniper rifles is the night scope, which again |
| intents and purposes, a highly specialized | | | | operates on the infrared principle. This |
| precision instrument. | | | | allows a target top be aimed at without |
| | | | detection. |
| Given a choice, most manufacturers of sniper | | | | |
| rifles would probably market their product | | | | For enhanced accuracy, a sniper rifle may |
| under a name that has less negative | | | | come equipped with a swiveling stand on which |
| connotations. While such rifles are | | | | it is mounted to reduce the margin of error. |
| doubtlessly highly accurate and a credit to | | | | This is almost mandatory, since human body is |
| the art of firearm making, they are almost | | | | not the steadiest of mechanisms under |
| never used under very valorous circumstances. | | | | circumstances of high stress. Despite the |
| A sniper specializes in picking off a target | | | | frequent Hollywood depiction of cold-blooded |
| from a location of concealment, without | | | | killers with nerves of chilled steel, most |
| warning. This considerably detracts from the | | | | real-life snipers are people who are subject |
| image of the fearless gunslinger. One of the | | | | to the same levels of stress that others are. |
| most descriptive depictions of a rifle | | | | |
| manufactured exclusively for sniping (or | | | | Another frequent feature in a sniper rifle is |
| rather, assassination) was the one made by a | | | | the silencer. Though the need for one depends |
| Belgian manufacturer for Edward Fox’s | | | | on the situation, it can generally be assumed |
| character in the film ‘The Day Of The | | | | that the sniper will have to shoot at more |
| Jackal’. | | | | than one target and that he therefore cannot |
| | | | allow his first shot to give him away. |
| However, sniper rifles are also necessary | | | | Silencers, unfortunately, subtract from the |
| equipment in war situations, and their | | | | range of the fired bullet and can affect |
| effectiveness (coupled with the | | | | accurate placement of a shot even over |
| sniper’s skill, of course) have often | | | | shorter distances. |
| turned the course of many a battle. In war | | | | |
| situations, snipers may also be required to | | | | Sniper rifles are invariably manufactured |
| target installations rather than human | | | | with trigger mechanisms that minimize the |
| beings, in which case the rifle used would | | | | required pressure on the trigger a s much as |
| pack a considerably heavier punch and even | | | | possible. This is because the greatest danger |
| explosive bullets. They are also used in law | | | | of fudging a shot arises at the time when the |
| enforcement. | | | | trigger is pulled. In most other rifles and |
| | | | other firearms, triggers are heavier on the |
| However, the sniper rifle is primarily an | | | | pull as an added safeguard against accidental |
| anti-personnel device and most models have | | | | shooting. |
| been derived from the hunting rifle model, | | | | |
| since accuracy and long range are common | | | | Where they are used in law enforcement, |
| factors in both. Other than that, they do not | | | | sniper rifles are generally not required to |
| initially appear to differ very much from | | | | be manufactured to extremely high standards. |
| other highly accurate rifles, other than in | | | | For one, range if usually not a necessary |
| the fact that rapid repeat-firing capability | | | | factor (even though accuracy always is). Most |
| is not a prerequisite. Many purists would | | | | rifle work in law enforcement takes place in |
| contend the claim that sniper rifles are | | | | confined city locations. |
| jazzed-up hunting rifles, and with good | | | | |
| reasons. | | | | Examples of sniper rifles being manufactured |
| | | | today would include the Barrett M98, the |
| Sniper rifles may be needed top shoot at | | | | Dakota Longbow T-76, the Enfield No. 1 and |
| stationary, slowly moving targets and targets | | | | the Mauser 86SR. German and Swedish makes |
| in rapid motion. They tend to be | | | | have found the highest favor down the ages, |
| bolt-operated or semi-automatic, and | | | | owing to more precise engineering. However, |
| calibrated for longer than usual ranges. The | | | | several Russian, English and American models |
| primary means of achieving longer range is | | | | such as the Tactical Ops Tango 51 are also in |
| via a longer barrel, which may measure up to | | | | extensive use today. |