The many challenges faced by military and SOF personnel operating as snipers in Iraq’s tumultuous urban battlefields drove the need for a sniper platform capable of greater firepower with a repeatable one minute of angle accuracy. The M110, developed by Knight’s Armament Company of Vero Beach, filled the need. When the U.S. Army adopted the Knight’s platform, rumors filled the air waves that the venerable M-24 would be retired – much to the chagrin of veteran snipers who feel that the M-24 is more accurate and simpler to maintain. Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on with this issue, the pressures of Afghanistan nixed the M-24’s retirement.
For years, the USMC saw a need to maintain the .300 WinMag in its inventory as a bridge caliber between the NATO 7.62mm x 51 and the .50 BMG; the wisdom of that position has been borne out by the rigors of the Hindu Kush.
The U.S. Army has seen the light, and in response to requests from units deployed in Afghanistan, will begin sending many of its M-24s to Remington’s facilities in North Carolina to be converted to .300 WinMag, a move that is sure to bring light to Remington’s eyes. Driving that decision is the need to engage targets out to 1200 meters, and other than the time tested .338 Lapua Magnum, nothing says hello like a .300 WinMag 190 grain BTHP at 2600 feet per second.
–Sal Palma
Copyright 2009 Sal Palma