Canadian Sniper Shatters Long-Kill Record

by **Dukasaur** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:13 pm

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-elite-special-forces-sniper-sets-record-breaking-kill-shot-in-iraq/article35415651/

A sniper with Canada’s elite special forces in Iraq has shattered the world record for the longest confirmed kill shot in military history at a staggering distance of 3,540 metres.

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed Thursday that a member of Joint Task Force 2 made the record-breaking shot, killing an Islamic State insurgent during an operation in Iraq within the last month.

The kill was independently verified by video camera and other data, The Globe and Mail has learned.

“Hard data on this. It isn’t an opinion. It isn’t an approximation. There is a second location with eyes on with all the right equipment to capture exactly what the shot was,” another military source said.

A military insider told The Globe: “This is an incredible feat. It is a world record that might never be equalled.”

The world record was previously held by British sniper Craig Harrison, who shot a Taliban gunner with a 338 Lapua Magnum rifle from 2,475 metres away in 2009.

Previously, Canadian Corporal Rob Furlong had set the world record in 2002 at 2,430 metres when he gunned down an Afghan insurgent carrying an RPK machine gun during Operation Anaconda.

Canadians now hold 3 of the top 5 places.

by **DoomYoshi** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:40 pm

This is why the war in the Middle East should never end.

by **Thorthoth** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:46 pm

Shall we say, 'Upcoming Olympic Event'.

by **Dukasaur** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 8:03 pm

The previous Canadian to hold the record is interesting in his own right. Corporal Furlong made a shot of 2430 metres. There are normally 201 metres in a furlong, which means the good soldier outdid himself 12 times over.

by **riskllama** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:03 pm

by **riskllama** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:04 pm

that's pretty fuckin' crazy, btw...

by **strike wolf** on Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:40 pm

So what I'm hearing is...never challenge Canadian to a marksmanship contest.

by **mrswdk** on Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:26 am

by **saxitoxin** on Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:51 am

Dukasaur wrote:Canadians now hold 3 of the top 5 places.

Looks to me like they wouldn't even had the opportunity to compete if the U.S. hadn't started those wars in the first place.

So this is basically a 50% Canadian / 50% U.S. win.

Also, lol at Mr. and Mrs. Operator for naming their kid JTF2 - what is he, a Transformer?

by **DirtyDishSoap** on Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:22 am

Jesus, that is an insane shot. Little over 2 miles. So many damn variables to consider with that distance. Wind, trajectory, spin, caliber, velocity, weight, drop off, distance, the target itself. Pretty sure that doesn't cover it all but just trying to eyeball the drop off, wind pick up and distance would do me in.
It's really incredible that he made the shot, much less kill a guy at that range. Whoever his spotter was deserves a nod too.

I honestly do not believe anyone within my lifetime will top a 3500 meter kill. Luck or not.

by **Thorthoth** on Fri Jun 23, 2017 10:49 am

So, in other words, he just got lucky?

by **Dukasaur** on Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:00 am

Thorthoth wrote:So, in other words, he just got lucky?

Luck is an element in all things. Nonetheless, something like that involves detailed calculations for trajectory, wind speed, wind direction, air density (via temperature) gravity and even the curvature of the earth. These guys go through very intensive training, and still they have to have an innate talent. If you've ever read much on this subject, you'll see that all the training in the world doesn't can't make a sniper out of someone who just doesn't have the inborn talent. And then finally, you have to have a bit of luck.