Ian Ruins the Elbonian Sniper Corps
Added 2023-01-14 12:00:01 +0000 UTCToday's Q&A is from Tim on Patreon:
"The great nation of Elbonia is looking to spin up a sniper program. But they know better than to adopt ZF41 scopes. What rifles do you attempt to sell them?"
After some consideration, I would try to sabotage the Elbonian Sniper Corps by supplying them with equipment that would allow their training to take as many shortcuts as possible. True long range shooting proficiency requires a lot of experience and deep understanding of lots of variables. By using mechanical shortcuts, I could persuade the Elbonian Army that they were saving money, and in simple training circumstances the snipers' performance would look pretty good. Once they got into real combat, though, they would fold like the Russian defense of Izyum.
To this end, I would equip them with a scope which linked magnification to its BDC cam - something like the Vietnam-era US ART or the Russian 1P21. This seems like a clever hack, and works pretty well for basic shots. But when you factor in some extra variables, like a target that doesn't fit the range finding box or the need for short range high magnification, a lack of shooter skill will become immediately apparent.
To go one step further, I would couple this with a multi-caliber rifle and interchangeable BDC cams for the scope. This would ensure that shooters periodically have the wrong scope settings for their rifle, and are ill-equipped to handle it.
Comments
Are we talking Tracking point here? (Now Talon Precision Optics) Have you shot one? I have, your description of shooting one is accurate. I could easily make a 1,000 yard shot. I am NOT a long range shooter. While impressive, I wondered what would happen after a generation of these has been introduced to the military.
John H
2023-01-15 15:09:59 +0000 UTCAssuming this is Scott Adams' Elbonia, there will be no prone shooting, and their sniper corps will need floats on their bipods to support the rifles in the ubiquitous waist-deep mud. These floats could EASILY be floated by the traitorous defense minister as a multi-purpose river-fording device. XD
Erik
2023-01-14 18:52:15 +0000 UTCDon't forget to supply them with overly complicated ghillie suits.
EyeBall
2023-01-14 15:53:08 +0000 UTCthough the stuff even looked not too bad: give 'em Tpattern camies call it for urban deployments and acu's (hell knows what those were good for at all).
Guido Schriewer
2023-01-14 14:30:35 +0000 UTCDoes anyone make a BDC cam for a 232-grain 8mm-06?
Brett Baker
2023-01-14 13:51:43 +0000 UTCI watched this one! A good post as usual, Ian. I was wondering if you could do a video on Soviet Korobov TKB-022PM prototype bullpup assault rifle. I've been fascinated by this rifle since I first saw picture of it on the Web.
Kerwin Kerr
2023-01-14 13:15:02 +0000 UTC
