Most snipers and sharpshooters used an M-14 (if it was really accurate, and some are sub .5 MOA out of the box), but usually the heavy barrel M-21. Some of those later used a wood stock with a high buttlplate, like the FN-FAL, and a pistol grip.The bolt actions mostly used the Redfield 3-9x40 sight, with the Accu-Trak range-finding reticle. Most of the M-21s used the Leatherwood 3-9x40 ART range-finding scope. But there were M-21s with Redfield scopes, and bolt action rifles with Leatherwood scopes. I still own one of these M-21s, and will take some photos of it up close. I have photos of the scoped M-14 and M-21s in action, and can post those. Some I need to scan.
The M-21 snipers usually worked in 2-man teams in the Army or Marine Corps. The second man, who was doing spotting with a high-power glass and binoculars, carried a bolt action rifle. A lighter rifle is better when carrying that other gear.
The M-21 barrel was stout enough to support the Sionics suppressor, supplied by CIA operator Mitch Werbel.
The M-14 could not shoot the high pressure (65,000 PSI) M-60 ammunition which was most accurate and had the greatest reach, which is another reason for the bolt-action rifles. (See my previous post on the history of the 172/173/175 grain ammunition for both the .30-06 and .308 Winchester).
I still have some of the white box 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, as well as the machine gun ammunition issued to snipers. Will snap some photos of that stuff, too, and probably put it in the ammunition thread.
1. The M21 did not have a heavy barrel. 2. The high buttplate stock with the pistol grip was used to abate the recoil somewhat so the platform could be used as a squad automatic rifle, not because it was more accurate. 3. M60 ammo is M80 Ball that has been linked, the same stuff used to qualify with when the M14 was first issued.
I know the 2 gentlemen that worked on the project XM21 in Vietnam. Where you got your info, I don't know, but it's mostly wrong. Sorry.
Last edited by rgrx1276; 12/19/09. Reason: bold type
When people face the possibility of freezing or starving there is little chance they are going to listen to unfounded claims of climate doomsday from a bunch of ultra-rich yacht sailing private jet-setting carbon-spewing hypocrite elites
