| Cartridge | Maximum effective range |
|---|---|
| 7.62x39mm | 600 m |
| 5.56x45mm | 600 m |
| 7.62x51mm (.308 Winchester) | 800 m |
| 7.62x54mm R | 800 m |
| .30-06 Springfield | 800 m |
| 7 mm Remington Magnum | 900–1,100 m |
| .300 Winchester Magnum | 900–1,200 m |
| .338 Lapua Magnum | 1,200-1,500 m |
| .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) 12.7x108mm (Russian) |
1,500–2,000 m |
| 14.5x114mm | 1,800–2,300 m |
Unlike police sniper rifles, military sniper rifles tend to be employed at the greatest possible distances so that range advantages like the increased difficulty to spot and engage the sniper can be exploited.
The most popular military sniper rifles (in terms of numbers in service) are chambered for 7.62 mm (0.30 inch) caliber ammunition, such as 7.62x51mm and 7.62x54mm R. Since sniper rifles of this class must compete with several other types of military weapons with similar range, snipers invariably must employ skilled fieldcraft to conceal their position.
The recent trend in specialized military sniper rifles is towards larger calibers that offer relatively favorable hit probabilities at greater range, such as the anti-personnel .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge and anti-materiel cartridges like the .50 BMG and the 14.5x114mm. This allows snipers to take fewer risks, and spend less time finding concealment when facing enemies that are not equipped with similar weapons.
Maximum range claims made by military organizations and materiel manufacturers regarding sniper weapon systems are not based on consistent or strictly scientific criteria. The problem is only the bullet interacts after a relatively long flight path with the target (can also be a materiel target for a sniper bullet). This implies that variables such as the minimal required hit probability, local atmospheric conditions, properties and velocity of the employed bullet (parts), properties of the target and the desired terminal effect are major relevant factors that determine the maximum effective range of the employed system.
Read more about this topic: Sniper Rifle, Capabilities
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