Sniper shooting is a precision form of marksmanship focused on long-distance, high-accuracy shots, often made covertly. Sniper rifles have unique features and require specialized training and skills to use them well. These five facts about sniper shooting highlight why this is the most difficult area of marksmanship.
4 Sniper Shooting Facts
1. Snipers need advanced training in navigation skills. (Source)
Varied conditions affect whether or not a sniper will hit their target, and military snipers often have to trek through rugged terrain to set up their sniping station. They usually work with one or two spotters who determine what gear to use, assess conditions, and give the command to fire.
2. Snipers are masters of camouflage. (Source)
Snipers around the world use Ghillie Suits to blend in with their surroundings. Scottish Game Wardens created these suits to help them catch poachers. Snipers can only survive the battlefield if they disappear into their environment.
3. Viacheslav Kovalskyi holds the world record for longest sniper shot. (Source)
Kovalski made an incredible 2.36-mile shot in November 2023 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His shot covered a greater distance than the length of Washington Mall.
4. The first sniper rifle was a British weapon known as the Whitworth. (Source)
The rifle was designed in 1854 by British entrepreneur Joseph Whitworth. It could hit targets around 1,400 yards away. It was the primary weapon used by Confederates during the American Civil War.
Image by Nana Mariana from Pixabay.
