reality

Just How Much Is Enough?

Over the past few decades, law enforcement has been subjected to a barrage of input on sniping, counter sniping or precision rifle — pick your term. Much of this is due to the massive interest in the military applications of snipers. Unfortunately, a police application of the precision rifle has only one major salient point in common to military sniping — to hit a target.

Cops probably won’t be able to walk rounds into a target, but they absolutely must hit the correct target, at the correct time, with very few chances for a do-over. Much ado is then made over what skill sets and equipment are needed, which often have very little to do with the application of a precision rifle by a cop. So then, what are the actual scoped rifle skills police need?

One consideration is the range to the target. The average cop in an urban environment will most often be shooting across the street, maybe further in a rural area. Even at distances of 200 yards and less, it still requires the officer be able to correctly identify the target.

If today’s LE snipers were capable of hitting a 6×6″ square at 200 yards under reasonable representations of actual problems cops encounter like weather, duress, stress-elevated heart rates, alternate firing positions and altered light conditions, it would be truly dangerous for the bad guys on the other end of the stick. Distances to 300 yards would be gravy, with the ultimate goal they are rock-solid to 400 yards.

If LE snipers live and work in big country like Montana, Idaho and the western states, or big airports like Chicago’s O’Hare then their skills need to match their world and workplace. As an example, Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition helps his local law enforcement officers with a precision rifle. His guys shoot to 600 yards for qualifications — they also live in South Dakota.

 

>> Click Here << To Read More Reality Check II

 

July/August cover

 

Order Your Copy Of The July/August 2011 Issue Today!

 

Get More Reality Check II

May/June 2011

March/April 2011

 

GUNS

HOLSTERS

SOFT SKILLS

OFFICER SURVIVAL

WEAPONS TRAINING

EXPERTS

TAC-MED

KNIVES

STREET TACTICS

LESS LETHAL

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM