A "real" sniper

[cce1302]

This thread is no way intended to disparage Rangers, snipers, or any other military service. Please leave the "We're better than the other guys" for the other thread You are welcome to take shots at the "Ranger Sniper" that I met the other day, though.

2 days ago, I dropped off my car to get new tires put on. While waiting to be picked up, I engaged in small talk with a couple of the guys there. We were talking about driving in town here, and places I don't come to a complete stop at stop signs because of the shady characters, and the history of those corners of town. Well, a nice young gentleman pointed out to me that he was "not afraid of gangbangers" because they had only tried to get into his car once. I agreed, and said that it's good that Indiana allows a lifetime CCW. He replied that he didn't need it-He's former military.
"Oh yeah?" I said, being interested since I am, as you may know, active duty. "What branch?"
"Ranger. Sniper. I hold the record shot. 4 miles."
Me: "Really? What caliber?"
Him: "Fitty."
Me: "Oh."
Well, it was not in my best interest at that point to call him out as I would be leaving my car in his care overnight. I knew I'd be coming back to pick it up and wanted it in as good condition as I left it.
I returned last night to pick up my car and after the transaction was complete said "can I say something, me to you?" He said, "Sure."
"You shouldn't tell anybody about that shot."
Him: "yeah, I don't talk about it. I just told my family, and you."
Me: "good, because a .50 caliber doesn't travel 4 miles."
Him: "It does from a helicopter."
Me (shaking head in exasperation): "No...no it doesn't."
Walking away. That shop just lost a customer because of a pathological liar.
I am not a sniper. I never claim to be one. I have, however, held Range Safety Officer cards for most demolitions, explosives, and military calibers, to include 50, in several places: Okinawa CTA, Camp Fuji, Thailand, South Korea, North Carolina, California, and Michigan. I can put a range fan on a map for a .50 cal. I have also put a few rounds of .50 BMG downrange (at taxpayer expense of course). Now the guy that changes my tires educates me on the weapon system. If anybody wants to know what shop not to go to, or maybe what shop to go to so you can mess with this guy, let me know.

[ichy_trigger]

Anyone thats ever flown in a helicopter, KNOWS that its not stable enough to take a 1000 yard shot from, let alone a 4 MILE shot. The guy probably wasnt even in the military.

[ScottyT]

Should have told him to update Wiki:

A McMillan TAC-50 .50 BMG sniper rifle was used by Canadian Corporal Rob Furlong to bring off the longest-range confirmed sniper kill in history, when he shot a Taliban insurgent at 2,430 meters (2,657 yards/7,972 feet/1.509 miles) during the 2002 campaign in Afghanistan.[1]

[Radio Relay]

I run into these pukes all the time. Depending on circumstances, I'll unload on them, or not.

If I'm wearing something, like a hat or t-shirt, that identifies me as a Vietnam Veteran, or having been in the Marine Corps, they try to cozy up and will drop some stupid statement like the guy you ran into.

I always ask them a question or two that they would know if they're telling the truth. Funny thing is they usually don't even know where Marines go to boot camp, or some other thing like that.

I hear that the Iraq and Afghanistan Vets are having to deal with the same thing.

[rogerxd45]

isnt the record confirmed kill like 1.5 miles? there is no way you could make a precision shot from a helicopter. now i am not military nor do i have any "sniper" experience but i have ridden in a helicopter once and i dont think i could make a precision shot at any distance. now if you had a full auto you could just spray and pray. but not at 4 miles. you MIGHT be able to make a arc shot at that distance but there would be no way to aim and the bullet would be going so slow not to mention it would most likely be tumbling through the air. im talking like a 45 degree angle up (i figured i should clear that up since all ****s are technically arc shots)

[Ishpeck]

cce1302, I appreciate your signature.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've found that the people that brag the most about what they did while they were a "SpecialForcesRangerSealReconDude" usually = FAKE!

The guys that really did that stuff for a living are normally not really forthcoming with what they did or didn't do while they were in.

[robinsre]

I'm not a military man myself. Never did enlist, although I'm looking at USAMRID after grad school.

However, from what I've seen, and the folks I've talked to it's comparable to high school students having sex.

The ones who are talking about it aren't the ones doing it, and the ones doing it/that have done it generally aren't the ones talking about it.

[thejoe]

My thought: if you're gonna' lie, at least make it believable for crying out loud. Jeez.

Sorry you had to deal with a respectless wannabe. I do appreciate the way you handled it, though.

joe

[nickb]

Originally Posted by cce1302

This thread is no way intended to disparage Rangers, snipers, or any other military service. Please leave the "We're better than the other guys" for the other thread You are welcome to take shots at the "Ranger Sniper" that I met the other day, though.

2 days ago, I dropped off my car to get new tires put on. While waiting to be picked up, I engaged in small talk with a couple of the guys there. We were talking about driving in town here, and places I don't come to a complete stop at stop signs because of the shady characters, and the history of those corners of town. Well, a nice young gentleman pointed out to me that he was "not afraid of gangbangers" because they had only tried to get into his car once. I agreed, and said that it's good that Indiana allows a lifetime CCW. He replied that he didn't need it-He's former military.
"Oh yeah?" I said, being interested since I am, as you may know, active duty. "What branch?"
"Ranger. Sniper. I hold the record shot. 4 miles."
Me: "Really? What caliber?"
Him: "Fitty."
Me: "Oh."
Well, it was not in my best interest at that point to call him out as I would be leaving my car in his care overnight. I knew I'd be coming back to pick it up and wanted it in as good condition as I left it.
I returned last night to pick up my car and after the transaction was complete said "can I say something, me to you?" He said, "Sure."
"You shouldn't tell anybody about that shot."
Him: "yeah, I don't talk about it. I just told my family, and you."
Me: "good, because a .50 caliber doesn't travel 4 miles."
Him: "It does from a helicopter."
Me (shaking head in exasperation): "No...no it doesn't."
Walking away. That shop just lost a customer because of a pathological liar.
I am not a sniper. I never claim to be one. I have, however, held Range Safety Officer cards for most demolitions, explosives, and military calibers, to include 50, in several places: Okinawa CTA, Camp Fuji, Thailand, South Korea, North Carolina, California, and Michigan. I can put a range fan on a map for a .50 cal. I have also put a few rounds of .50 BMG downrange (at taxpayer expense of course). Now the guy that changes my tires educates me on the weapon system. If anybody wants to know what shop not to go to, or maybe what shop to go to so you can mess with this guy, let me know.

You just forgot to ask which video game he was talking about.