Originally Posted by oldgrognard
No, he wasn't in any real personal danger. No real means of retaliating. At that range he wouldn't be giving his position away as much as revealing that he does have them under observation. That would reveal some likely shooting positions, but nothing exact. The only danger would be a counter-sniper at a lesser range being able to acquire him. But that is pretty unlikely.

Part of sniping is observation and intell gathering. Shooting like that sacrifices that. On the positive side, it does put fear into the enemy that they are never safe. I guess it depends on what the controlling agency is missioning the snipers with. There are a lot more operating now, so the controlling agency may have sufficient to allow that kind of mission. Also equipment changes allow for some greater ranges. Previous equipment for instance would have the reticle lines wider than the target at that range. New focal plane reticles and finer lines may have lessened that problem. It's been a while.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/video/first_vs_second_focal_plane


Frankly, that is just amazing information. Glad you can talk a little about it now my friend. I strongly agree with the "fear into the enemy that they are never safe" observation, but that's what Snipers have been doing almost since firearms appeared on the planet.

Great shot no matter what.

'After about twenty years of having one, I am now convinced that, for the most part, smartphones may be the dumbest thing man has ever invented!"

"There's a sucker born every minute."
Phineas Taylor Barnum