[GunnyGene]

The never ending quest continues. But the bean counters will get the final say, as usual.

(My bold below)

Excerpt:

The Marine Corps Wants A Piece Of The Army’s Lethal New Sniper Rifle

The Marine Corps may finally adopt a new sniper rifle through a stroke of luck: Army officials, continuing to develop their own brand-new sniper rifle, told Task & Purpose that both the Marines and Air Force “are committed” to purchasing the weapon once the Army signs off on the improved system.

Despite the budget turmoil currently rankling lawmakers and Department of Defense planners, the Army is moving ahead with the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS), PEO Soldier spokeswoman Debi Dawson confirmed to Task & Purpose on Jan. 24, adding that “all [CSASS’s] sniper performance requirements and capabilities are still valid.” (Marine Corps Systems Command did not immediately respond to request for comment.)

The CSASS program was established in 2015 to field a replacement for the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. In August 2016, Heckler & Koch ended the Army’s search, winning a $44.5 million contract for a lightweight version of its 7.62 mm G28E sniper rifle with a baffle-less OSS suppressor.

The adoption of the CSASS by the Marine Corps would be a major coup for the service. The Marines have struggled to adopt a much-needed replacement for the M110 and M40A5 — the latest variant on the Vietnam-era pattern that fielded to Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The service’s delay has reportedly stoked frustration among scout snipers, who complain of their rifles’ limited range and light-caliber ammo.

It’s unclear if adopting CSASS will actually allay the frustrations of the Corps’ scout snipers. Marine snipers wielding the M40A5 are accurate at a distance of up to 1,000 meters, according to Military.com. The HK G28 selected for the CSASS can only provide accurate fire at up to 600 meters.

The CSASS program has persisted despite the ever-present specter of cancellation. Last fall, the Army scrapped its 7.62mm Interim Combat Service Rifle (ICSR) program just over a month after its first solicitation — a victim of shortfalls and budget uncertainties that have become a fixture of the military landscape as Congress funds the DoD with a patchwork of continuing resolutions. But when the ICSR went away, PEO Soldier reassured Task & Purpose that the CSASS program would not meet the same fate.

 

[Vick]

They are gonna find, just like most here have, that there is no such thing as the "perfect" rifle...you need different rifles for different purposes.

 

[fordpkup]

I'm sure they will have a choice.

 

[rigrat]

Going from a rifle with 1000 yard accuracy to one with only 600 yard accuracy sounds like a complete failure to me.

 

[Siggy12]

Surely @Leadburner could put an end to their search by just opening his gun vault. :lol3:

 

[GunnyGene]

Going from a rifle with 1000 yard accuracy to one with only 600 yard accuracy sounds like a complete failure to me.

They aren't really looking for a true "Sniper" rifle; they've already got those in .338 and .50. This is what they intend to use for squad "designated marksmen" simply because there aren't enough real snipers to go around.

They seem pretty stuck on the 7.62 for whatever they end up with - likely just an updated shorter barrel M-14 with a scope & bipod and a fancy stock.

Says something about the state of marksmanship training these days. Take a look at my Avatar, and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

 

[rigrat]

They aren't really looking for a true "Sniper" rifle; they've already got those in .338 and .50. This is what they intend to use for squad "designated marksmen" simply because there aren't enough real snipers to go around.

They seem pretty stuck on the 7.62 for whatever they end up with - likely just an updated shorter barrel M-14 with a scope & bipod and a fancy stock.

Says something about the state of marksmanship training these days. Take a look at my Avatar, and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

Ok that makes since then..... Understand shot expert myself.

 

[Leadburner]

Surely @Leadburner could put an end to their search by just opening his gun vault. :lol3:

Can't help em. I'm just a dumb ******* peckerwood living in the concrete jungle with to many guns.

 

[melmerf]

Bureaucrats are much the same whether military or civilian. It looks to me like they have the rifle and the scope. They just need somebody who can use it.

 

[Sneaky]

The bolt action 308/7.62 is outdated for modern sniper use. For shorter ranges in a dynamic environment, a 7.62 semi auto is more practical because of not just faster follow-up shots, but mainly because of the ability to fight with it if necessary. For true long range situations, 300wm or 338 extend effective range over 7.62. The Army switched from 7.62 bolt action to 300wm bolt actions and 7.62 gas guns several years ago.

 

[GunnyGene]

Ok, this is not directed at anyone who has posted in this thread, but rather at the media - including websites.

I think this foolishness of thinking that: "The Gun makes the Man" has gone on for far too long. A Sniper is a person with the skills and training to fulfill a specific tactical purpose/mission. As part of that he may have available, and use, specialized weaponry to enhance his capabilities to accomplish that purpose or mission. You can put that weapon in the hands of someone that does not have those skills and training, and the results will be less than satisfactory. But put a common hunting or combat rifle in the hands of a trained Sniper, and he will squeeze every last ounce of the weapons inherent capabilities out of it.

The Man Makes The Gun, not the other way around.

 

[phillipd]

They should consider the M14. It works pretty well and stock choices have improved