The Odessa, Texas, native grew up hunting with his father and had uncanny aim as a marksman. However, the 50 currently holds the record for the longest sniper rifle kill at 3,871 yards (2.2 miles) by an unnamed Canadian sniper during the Iraqi Civil . American Sniper: What Rifle Did Chris Kyle Use? - The Epoch Times The hero's longest sniper shot was fired while he protected an approaching US Army convoy in Sadr City, eastern Baghdad, Iraq, in 2008. He described the killing in his book, American Sniper. I definitely dont have any regrets about that.. 4. The reputation of Kyle as the most lethal sniper in American military history is not disputed. No. The McMillan TAC-338 is a specialized sniper rifle made to "exact" specifications with long range lethality and precision in mind, explains Military Factory. One of the gunshot wounds was to the top of the head, indicating it was likely fired while Littlefield was already on the ground. [8] He recorded 93 official kills. '''Christopher Scott Chris" Kyle''' (April 8, 1974 - February 2, 2013) was a United States Navy SEAL known as the most lethal sniper in American military history with 160 confirmed kills out of 255 claimed kills, although these statistics have not been released by the Pentagon. What caliber did Chris Kyle use as a sniper? It needs to be stressed just how difficult it is to land a shot under these circumstances. As previously mentioned, the finer points of Special Forces military accomplishments are often kept private in order to protect the soldiers. SGT Kremer's 2,515-yard (1.43 miles) shot narrowly edged out Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock for number four on this list. Mistakes in estimation compound over distance and can cause a shot to only injure, or to miss completely. Pau admitted: "Although the information on the DD214 should match the official records, the process involves people and inevitably some errors may occur.". Routh's mother, who worked at the school that Kyle's children attended, had heard of his work and asked him to help her son. It was . Chris Kyle was such a skilled marksman that he killed an enemy fighter 1.2 miles - 21 football fields - away with a single shot. The impact was confirmed by a hole in the target 3.125 inches from dead center and a recovered bullet. Meet the big shot. M40a5 civilian equivalent - The Equivalent . On Sept. 13, the sharp report of a rifle shot echoed across the western Wyoming desert near Jackson Hole. Littlefield had been shot seven times with a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun. Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle: August 2008: 1,920 m (2,100 yds) McMillan Tac-338: United States: Iraq War - Sadr . In 2007 McMillan Firearms built a custom TAC-338 for legendary SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. For example, the Canadian Army 2002 sniper team that saw two soldiers (Arron Perry/2,310 m and Rob Furlong/2,430 m) set consecutive new records, also made a number of kills at 1,500m (1,600yd) that are not counted here. Meet the Vietnam War's greatest sniper - Task & Purpose Meet the big shot - New York Post He was deployed to a base near Baghdad in September 2007, where he worked for six months as a prison guard and repaired weapons. Routh was a 25-year-old Marine who had experienced post . Carlos Norman Hathcock was a sniper for the United States Marine Corps and was highly commended for his impressive service record of 93 confirmed kills. Matt covers politics, faith, history, national and global news. Carlos Hathcock taking aim in Vietnam. American Sniper Rifles: 5 of Chris Kyle's Favorite Sniper Rifles Others . Landing a shot at this distance requires not only intimate knowledge of how your weapon handles, but ariflecapable of reliably performing at that level. In mid-2017 it was reported that an unnamed Canadian special forces operator, based in Iraq, had set a new record of 3,540m (3,871yd), beating the record previously held by an Australian sniper (also unnamed) at 2,815m (3,079yd). American Sniper, his brutal and graphic book about his life, became abestseller in 2012 and the film was optioned shortly afterwards. Bradley Cooper to Wed 'American Sniper' Widow | Snopes.com The murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield occurred on February 2, 2013, at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas. The sniper killed an insurgent over a mile away who was preparing to shoot a rocket at a US convoy. The 7.62mm cartridge had more power than the smaller 5.56mm; Kyle found it generally able to put down the enemy with one shot. Chris Kyle with his book, American Sniper.. Lt. Jackie Pau, a Navy spokeswoman, told the AP that Kyles military personnel file stated he received one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars with valor. Instead of dropping a bomb that could potentially kill civilians in the area, it is a very precise application of force and because it was so far way, the bad guys didnt have a clue what was happening.. Pau admitted: "Although the information on the DD214 should match the official records, the process involves people and inevitably some errors may occur.". For operational security reasons and to preserve the safety of our personnel and our Coalition partners we will not discuss precise details on when and how this incident took place., Not just a record-breaking exercise, the JTF-2 operation had real military significance: The shot in question actually disrupted a Daesh [Islamic State] attack on Iraqi security forces, a sourcetoldCanadian newspaperThe Globe and Mail. But in 2017, Ventura confirmed the defamation case had been settled. You dont think of the people you kill as people. By Ian Aldrich Updated: Aug 10, 2020 For comparison, legendary sniper and American hero Chris Kyle's record for a combat kill was 1.2 miles with a single shot in 2008 against an Iraqi insurgent, according to History.com. The Cutting Edge MTAC bullet that hit the target was hand-lathed, and weighed just under an ounce (422 gr. Two years after being recorded, the longest sniper kill shot remains one of the greatest feats ever performed in military history. Another expert, Dr. Michael Arambula, testified he did not believe Routh was schizophrenic, and was not insane at the time of the murders because he was intoxicated. US Sergeant Bryan Kremer took down an Iraqi insurgent in 2004 with the longest confirmed sniper kill shot made by a US soldier. Windageposes another key difficulty: at a distance of over two miles, the snipers would have had to adjust for a distance of over 360 inches. Back home to his. reduced CEP), although they rely on proper use and training to realize any advantages. Kyle said that he was on a house's second floor, scanning the village with his rifle scope. Cartridge: .50 BMG Conflict: Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom (beating Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's famous shot by over 400 yards) and the longest confirmed kill ever made with a Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle (known in the . 4: Thats the number of biopics opening on Christmas Day, and while the others (Selma, Unbroken, Big Eyes) reach into the more distant past, American Sniper tells a contemporary story. a Remington 700/300, Later type classified as a MK13 Mod 1, .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle with McMillan stock and . The verdict was appealed. The Joint Task Force 2 unit is currently based at Dwyer Hill, which is relatively close to Ottawa in Ontario. Shepards wife and expert shooter Lynn Sherwood-Humphries, Joel Austin, Tony Molina, Mick Cestia and Wade Woodhouse served as the forward spotters from the steel bunker near the target. Weapon: Browning M2. Self-proclaimed as the "most lethal sniper in US military history," Chris Kyle achieved 160 confirmed kills (nearly double that by some accounts) during his four tours in Iraq. Mark Episkopos is the new national security reporter for the National Interest. This latest record was, unsurprisingly, set with theMcMillan Firearms Tac-50, which was used in three of the five most recent longest recorded kill shotsin all three cases, the Tac-50 was wielded by Canadian snipers. [citation needed] Snipers have had a substantial history following the development of long distance weaponry. The McMillan TAC-338 is a specialized sniper rifle made to "exact" specifications with long range lethality and precision in mind, explains Military Factory. [citation needed], The science of long-range sniping came to fruition in the Vietnam War. 4: Tours of duty Kyle served in Iraq from 2003 to 2009. Well also learn some interesting facts about each one! Chris Kyle's Precision Rifles - Warfare History Network Here's What You Need to Know:Landing a shot at this distance requires not only intimate knowledge of how your weapon handles, but a rifle capable of reliably performing at that level. The case attracted national attention due to Kyle's fame as author of a bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, published in 2012. You also agree to our. Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in US military history, who piled up enemy kills during the invasion of Iraq. Crime scene photos shown in court show Kyle lying on the dirt in front of an elevated deck from which rifles were fired at targets up to 1,000 yards away. But in 2017, Ventura confirmed the defamation case had been settled. Lewis Capaldi handled himself like a true pro, simply backing away from the mic and hanging on to the stand while his fans took the lead. Snipers arent heroes. Top 10 Best Sniper Rifle Cartridges for When You Need to Make the Shot US Army Sergeant Nicholas Ranstad served in an Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron called the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment. [9] After returning to the US, Hathcock helped to establish the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School at Quantico, Virginia. It was the world's eighth-longest confirmed kill shot by a sniper. He was officially responsible for 160 kills during his career as US Navy SEAL sniper, according to the Pentagon. American Sniper was about his military service from 1999 to 2009. [citation needed], USMC Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock's confirmed 2,286m (2,500yd) kill in the Vietnam War was primarily due to the enemy soldier stopping his bicycle on the spot Hathcock had fired at while sighting in his Browning M2 heavy machine-gun. By. We were taught snipers were cowards. Two Chris Kyle Stories You Won't See in 'American Sniper' - Military [7], If the shooter wishes to improve accuracy, increase range, or both, the accuracy of estimates of external factors must improve accordingly. The group added, In the extreme long range shooting community, there isnt an official standard for records. He is widely regarded as the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. In page 178, he describes his longest shot. By the end of Kyle's career, he had earned two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. Confirmed kills 1,250m (1,370yd) or greater, Longest confirmed kill using a muzzle loading firearm, "Circular Error Probable (CEP)," Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Technical Paper 6, Ver 2, July 1987, p. 1, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFChandler2010 (, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFAlpert2010 (, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDrury2010 (, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, "Small but mighty: How Canada's military produces some of the world's best snipers", "Carlos Hathcock: Famous Marine Corps Sniper", "The company behind the rifle used by the world's deadliest sniper", "Ukrainian sniper takes out Russian soldier 1.68 miles away nearly breaking world record", "Ukraine claims that a Ukrainian sniper made the second-longest combat kill ever", "British sniper Craig Harrison (The Silent Assassin) breaks record, kills target from 1.5 miles away", "Report: Canadian sniper shattered world record for the longest confirmed kill in history", "This legendary Marine sniper made the Corps' longest known kill shot more than 50 years ago with a machine gun", "South Africa at war in the DRC The inside story", "South African Special Forces Sniper Takes Out Congo Rebels (2125m shot! Kremer served as a member of the United States Army 2nd Ranger Battalion, and he made this record-breaking shot only a year into the war. The accused gunman Eddie Ray Routh, 27, claims he was insane at the time of the 2013 shooting. [15] Forensic psychologist Randall Price, a witness for the prosecution, suspected Routh was faking schizophrenia. Hathcock also won the 1966 Wimbledon Cup, which is earned by the winner of the US 1,000-yard high-powered rifle National Championship. Ventura, a former Underwater Demolition Teams/Seal member, testified he never made the comments and the altercation never happened. The initial target date was in May 2021, but major complications in procuring and assembling the rifle and a protective bunker for the team of forward spotters pushed it back considerably. [19], A memorial service was held for Kyle at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 11, 2013. But it's likely the number was far higher, as he had 255 claimed kills - where a shot hits the target, but a fatality cannot be confirm during battle. With Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Ben Reed. "The things they would do - beheadings, dragging Americans through the streets alive, the things they would do to little boys and women just to keep them terrified and quiet That part is easy. The 2nd Ranger Battalion, the unit that Kremer served in, is one of three ranger battalions that belong to the United States Armys 75th Ranger Regiment. Snipers: The Four Greatest Marksmen In Military History After leaving the military (at the rank of Chief Petty Officer) in 2009, Kyle returned home and became a leading figure in helping former military members that suffered from PTSD transition to civilian life. [6], Routh was a 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Lancaster, Texas. This record-breaking shot took down an Islamic State insurgent in 2004, but few other details have been disclosed. The enemy knew of his prowess with a gun and nicknamed him The Devil of Ramadi.. The records for the longest sniper kills among the armed forces began to be published in 1967 during the Vietnam War by the US Military. 2,100: Number of yards away from which Kyle hit a target in Iraq, making him reportedly just one of only five people on earth who could do it . Navy S.E.A.L. Chris Kyle, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. While he was highly commended and praised for his shot, which saved 12 men, he felt totally abandoned by his regiment once he developed PTSD. Question: Who Holds The Longest Sniper Kill Shot? These 4 Guns Were Used to Make the Longest Sniper Kills in History But Ventura said it didnt come from Kyles widow or his estate, and that he didnt get an apology. [2], Murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, "The fatal intersection of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and the Marine veteran who killed him", "Chad Littlefield, 1977-2013: The Other Shooting-Range Victim", "Inside the Tortured Mind of Eddie Ray Routh, the Man Who Killed American Sniper Chris Kyle", "Noted sniper slain at Erath County gun range", "Man charged in fatal shooting of ex-SEAL/author", "Chris Kyle's Widow Breaks Down on the Stand and the Chilling Text Message", "Author of 'American Sniper' among the dead at Rough Creek", "Ex-SEAL Chris Kyle remembered after shooting death", "At 'American Sniper' murder trial, a psychosis defense", "Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in 'American Sniper' Trial", "Jury finds Eddie Ray Routh guilty in 'American Sniper' case", "Chris Kyle Funeral Procession Arrives in Austin. In an interview with the defence publication, Kyle said he didn't regret any of his kills in the field. In Vietnam, Hathcock also completed missions involving a "through the scope" shot which killed an enemy sniper specifically hunting him, and a multiple-day solo stalk and kill of an enemy general. The Tac-50 revolutionized the global small arms scene following its introduction in 2000, successfully blending the reach and stopping power of an anti-materiel rifle (AMR) with the accuracy of a standard military-grade sniper rifle. Former CNN host and anti-Iraq war campaigner Piers Morgan, however,defended the man behind the movie, saying: Chris Kyle, American Sniper, was NOT a coward. [11], Eddie Ray Routh was born on September 30, 1987, in Lancaster, Texas, to Raymond and Jodi Routh. "[6][10] Local police captured Routh after a short freeway chase, which ended when Routh, who fled the scene in Kyle's Ford F-350 truck, crashed into a police cruiser in Lancaster. . Longest Sniper Shot: 6 Rifles That Went The Distance It was the world's eighth-longest confirmed kill shot by a sniper. (28 photos)", "Preventing Diplomatic Recognition of the Confederacy, 186165", " :: ", "Canadian sniper crushes world record for longest confirmed kill in military history, reports say", "Army sniper films spot for History channel based on 1,300 meter shot in Iraq", "Marine Sniper Receives Bronze Star Medal for Valor", "Canadian elite special forces sniper makes record-breaking kill shot in Iraq", "SA skerpskutter skiet doodskoot oor afstand van meer as 2 km", "Sniper shot that took out an insurgent killer from three quarters of a mile", "Taliban remain in fear of lethal strikes", "Long range killer: Behind the scenes of Accuracy International", "SOFREP Exclusive: The inside story of Canada's JTF2 record-breaking sniper kill SOFREP Original Content", The ultimate sniper: an advanced training manual for military & police snipers, "Hotshot sniper in one-and-a-half mile double kill", "Soviet snipers in Afghanistan, 1979 1989 years", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longest_recorded_sniper_kills&oldid=1138843864, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2019, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from April 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Articles with failed verification from February 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:20.