The U.S. Marine Snipers are finally getting what they have been clamoring for, a sniper rifle that fires at longer ranges than their existing M40 sniper rifles. According to the Marine Corps Times, the sniper teams will soon be receiving the MK 13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle.
Marine snipers have been carrying a variant of the M40 sniper rifle since the Vietnam War with the latest iteration being the M40A6. The M40 is based on the Remington M700 Bolt Action Rifle.
Photo: Marine Sniper Team with the M40A5 (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman Jr., U.S. Marine Corps/Released)
Former snipers have been complaining that the M40’s 1,000 yard range is not enough in engagements in conflicts such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. With the MK13, it goes beyond 1,000 yard with the .300 Winchester Magnum (WinMag) round.
It may not outrange the U.S. Army’s 1,300 yard M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle nor the USSOCOM’s 1,600 yard Precision Sniper Rifle, but it is an improvement over the M40 rifle.
The U.S. Marine Corps has been working on improving their capabilities of the Marines in terms of hand carried weapons, starting with the M27 IAR and its DMR version, the M38. The Corps asked for US$4.3 million this year to purchase the rifle to start equipping the sniper teams. While the MK 13 Mod 7 should bring even more capabilities to the Marine sniper teams, there is one device that excites them more than the rifle itself according to the Marine Corps Times story. Pictures from the Josaphat Orozco photography that show Marines firing the Mk 13 with the Nightforce ATACR scope.
Photo: NightForce ATACR (Source: NightForce)
The Nightforce ATACR or Advanced Tactical Riflescope can easily withstand the recoil of the .300 WinMag and other big rounds. The scope is relative young but has been getting raves from shooters. Nightforce says the ATACR uses their proprietary optical prescription in a built-like-a-tank housing and that every ATACR riflescope delivers benchrest precision even under harshest conditions.
The U.S. Marine Corps plans to purchase 356 MK 13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifles.
Top Photo:U.S. Marine Snipeer Team (Source: USMC Flickr)