2007-03-04 12:59:28 · 12 answers · asked by hunter1 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The military did and still does use the 22 LR pistol as a covert weapon for special ops.
Both High Standard and Ruger Semi auto pistols with factory Suppressers.
But this was for special ops and up close and personal work, not a sniper rig.
Old sniper rigs were 30-06 or 308.
New sniper rigs are 308, 300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag and the 50 BMG.
Hope this was of some help.
D58
2007-03-04 13:19:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Outside of the 5.56 (.223) the US Army has NEVER used the .22, in training, spec ops (somebody is reading too much Tom Clancy) , or otherwise.
A .22 LR or .22 magnum is simply too small and underpowered to stop a target the size of a human being from any distance with any reliability.
Both the M-16 and M-4 are technically ".22" 's(5.56mm). A .22 is .22" in diameter. However the difference between what is commonly held as ".22" and the .223 (5.56mm) is the amount of powder propelling the projectile.
Modern day sniper weapons are generally either 7.62mm (.308) or .50. Pre Vietnam (Korea and before), snipers generally used the M1903, which was a 30/06 round.
Hope this helps........ LOTS of misinformation and make believe out there.......
2007-03-05 00:46:25 · answer #2 · answered by free_eagle716 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a sniper round no. Some 5.56x45mm (.223) rifles are specialized for marksmanship but the military usually uses a larger round for actual sniping.
Free_eagle is entirely wrong. The .22LR cartridge was used extensively in silenced pistols by covert operators during WWII and various other conflicts, up to this day. And with a well placed shot i.e. headshot, a .22LR will reliably incapacitate if not outright kill a person at a considerable distance.
2007-03-05 17:42:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, the military has only used standard military calibers. the only differences bettwen them is that some are better suited for certain tasks. there are several varmint rifles out there in .223, .22-250, .220 Swift and .22 Hornet, that are accurate enough. however these high powered .22 cartridges are not ideal for roles as a sniper. sniping is done at long range against human targets, not groundhogs and praire dogs. they dont yeild the penetration to take a 2 legged target at long ranges. .223 is the closest you could get, being a military cartridge, but most militaries consider the .22 "too light" for sniping
2007-03-04 21:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by marlin81087 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Within the last 4 years in military service I have not seen any .22 cal sniper rifles. Most rifles in infantry are now 5.56(223 cal). Most sniper rifles are 7.62(.308). There are a few acceptions in which squads have SAM's (squad advanced marksman ) that carry a 5.56(.223) sniper rifle. Just basically a souped up m-16, scope, heavy barrell, bipods. But other then that, there is nothing that I have heard of in .22 cal.
2007-03-06 03:41:50 · answer #5 · answered by RED 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Intelligence agencies and military special forces have used suppressed 22 LR pistols for assassinations and for eliminating guard dogs or sentries. Some examples include the use of suppressed High Standard HDM pistols by the American OSS, which was the predecessor organization of the CIA. Gary Powers was issued a suppressed High Standard for the flight in which he was shot down. Suppressed Ruger MK II pistols are in current use by the US Navy SEALs.
The .22 LR has also seen limited usage by police and military snipers. Its main advantage in this role is its low noise, but it is usually limited to urban operations because of its short range. One weapon designed for this purpose is the Russian SV-99 rifle.
2007-03-05 13:47:02 · answer #6 · answered by brokerman74067 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Army has been messing around with 22lr for years in an auto mode very effective and the ammo it cheap to manufacture i don't think i would want to be hit with a mess of .22 you never know where the rounds would end up. Pres. Reagan was shot in the armpit and the bullet wound up in his hip soooooooo you decide.
2007-03-05 20:08:00 · answer #7 · answered by L J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one time the Military used 22lr as a training cartridge, they may still do it, I wouldn't know. It was NEVER used as a sniper round, it may have been used as a sniper training round? I seem to recall seeing a few springfirld 03's chambered in 22lr and fitted with scopes.
2007-03-04 21:10:54 · answer #8 · answered by boker_magnum 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, at least not as an official rifle. The army uses a .223.
2007-03-04 21:07:28 · answer #9 · answered by The Big Shot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not as a standard issue rifle, however that does not mean that they have not been used, Spec Ops has a lot more latitude and mission specific weapons. I know they have used "hush puppys" in Vietnam, which were S&W pistols with suppressors attached. and some of those are still in inventory.
2007-03-06 03:02:25 · answer #10 · answered by Jon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋