What should I be working on to be better prepared for Sniper School?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:57:29 -0500

I don't know that I will get a chance to go to Sniper School, however I want to set myself up for success if I get that chance. I have been studying ballistics for months, I have been practicing (whenever I get the chance, which is unfortunately not very often) shooting fundamentals, but what other things should I be researching, and studying?

What types of things do I need to work on? What are things that people struggle with the most?

Thanks!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2014 9:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:24:39 -0500

Basic trigonometry and geometry. There's a lot of math that goes into distance shooting. I know at the scout sniper course they do some calculus but then again that's the scout sniper course and I don't know of the differences or similarities between the two. Are you combat arms? Support for Ranger Batt.? If not then you might be able to request it as a reenlistment incentive. I talked to a 19D and he said they had to shoot expert at qual six consecutive times to go to LRM or the full course. Learn bout the affects of wind, elevation, humidity, etc. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2014 11:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:29:58 -0500

You need to have the fundamentals down, that is for sure, but it isn't all about just shooting.  However, I can get a 19D to plink an 800 meter target in under 10 minutes.  You need to learn about reading mirage, how to function the scope, learn about minutes of angle (read this http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/mildot_moa.asp), PFC Mullins is correct about angle shooting (but it isn't that difficult a concept if you understand ballistics).  <div><br></div><div id="">Then there is the field craft.  EVerytime we go to the range everybody and their mother wants to come shoot because it is fun.  However, when we go to the field it is a fucking ghost town because no one wants to crawl around in a burlap sack for hours.  I highly suggest getting ahold of FM 3-22.10 and give it a thorough reading.  If you have any specific questions just PM me.</div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.snipercountry.com/graphics/mil-dot_reticle.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/mildot_moa.asp">Mil-dots and Minutes-of-angle - From a Technical Perspective</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">If you've always wondered what those little dots are for on a military
rifle scope's reticle (cross-hairs), then look no further. I hope to explain,
in a clear and concise fashion, how the mil-dot r...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SPC Gary Basom made Feb 19 at 2014 5:09 PM

SPC Gary Basom — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:09:03 -0500

I think the criteria of sniper school was marksmanship, camouflage and movement and concealment. They are the best shock troops. They often go for days without food, or sleep and must be focused on looking for their target and kill it, yet still avoid enemy troops patrolling the area looking for him. Once the mission is over be capable of escaping and living on for another day.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 29 at 2014 6:48 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:48:00 -0400

Range estimation is challenging for a lot of people, and something that you can easily practice just about any moment you want to. It's not a big deal to estimate if somebody is 50m or 100m away, but what about 500m vs 600m? Or 750m vs 850m? That difference can mean hitting your shot or not. While the reticle of a scope will help with that estimation, it's something you can start to build a better intuition for.

The above is fairly advanced. Something practical to also do is just work on your grouping at any range (even 25m). It will help reinforce whether you have the fundamentals of marksmanship down. There's no arguing with shot groups.