Part of being an Operator is having better gear than everyone, and subtly rubbing it in everyone’s face on the internet. US Special Operations command has continued this tradition by purchasing some of the best sniper rifles for 2021, in some amazing new calibers. In this article we will be covering both the new bolt action rifle, and the new semi-automatic sniper system. We’ll discuss the cost of these types of systems, and where you can find a civilian version so you too can be Instagram famous. Keep reading for more.
Current Sniper Rifle Systems
If you’ve read any of our previous articles about snipers, and their training, you’ll know that snipers are often tasked with difficult and dangerous missions. They work in small teams, deep behind enemy lines, providing lethal fire support for commanders and larger operations. In order to this job effectively they need some highly specialized tools such as: satellite radios, ghillie suits, and extremely precise long range rifle systems.
Historically, the standard of accuracy for a sniper rifle has been 1 MOA, or minute of angle. A minute of angle refers to one inch width at one hundred yards. Because it’s a constant angle, 1 MOA is wider as it gets further from the rifle. At one thousand yards, 1 MOA is ten inches. This is the bare minimum accuracy requirement for sniper rifle systems. I can tell you that the new rifles US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has purchased have an even higher degree of accuracy.
Modern snipers currently utilize a variety of rifles to perform their duties, depending on the specifics of their mission. Broadly speaking, they will utilize two different types of rifles, the bolt action rifle, and the semi automatic sniper system. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and both of these types of weapons will shoot under 1 MOA out to a thousand yards or beyond.
The first rifle that US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has purchased is the MK 22 Multi Role Adapative Design (MRAD) bolt action sniper rifle, designed by Barrett. It’s truly one of the best sniper rifles for 2021, as it can engage enemy targets out to a mile or more!
Mk 22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) sniper rifles
A few years back the Special Operations Community began searching for modern sniper rifles with enhanced performance, compared to their legacy systems. They wanted lighter weight, more accurate sniper rifles, that were able to to use different calibers. While this may seem like a tall order, Barrett more than delivered on this request with their new MRAD design. Here is a great video overview.
This rifle is so good that both big Army, and the Marine Corps have requested to purchase it as well. Not only is this rifle extremely accurate, and durable. It’s very flexible. A sniper, out in the field, can quickly change between three calibers: .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and .308. This allows for maximum flexibility, as both Norma Magnum cartridges significantly out perform .308 caliber rifles.
If you pay attention to the firearms industry, you’ll notice that the best sniper rifles for 2021 and beyond tend to feature larger caliber bullets. Most snipers will tell you that .308 cartridges lose velocity, and drop like a rock past 1,000 yards. This isn’t true with heavier, higher performing cartridges, such as .338 Norma Magnum. These heavy weight bullets are less influenced by gusting winds, and have greater terminal effects on people, and materiel targets.
While large bullets are cool, they aren’t enough by themselves, to make the cut for USSOCOM. They need some serious weight savings as well.
Weight Savings and Operational Impact on Sniper Operations
This rifle, without optics or lasers, weighs in at 15.2 pounds. With optics and lasers, it’s likely to have an operational weight around 20 pounds. This is incredibly important as snipers must carry everything they need, often times through extreme terrain. This rifle was designed to replace the venerable .50 cal Barrett Rifle which weighs in at nearly 40 pounds with optics and lasers.
If you’ve read any of my articles on military load carriage, you’ll understand how important a 20 pound reduction in weight truly is. This weight difference might allow a sniper team to extend their missions by several days, or carry additional equipment like radios or inclement weather gear.
USSOCOM is currently fielding this rifle with a variety of Gucci gear, including an awesome Night Force ATACR optic. Our friends over at Charlies Custom Clones have actually put together a nearly exact replica of the special operations deployment kit. Here is a list of all the gear that is included with the sniper system.
Mk 22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) Deployment Kit
- (1) Pelican 1770 Protector Hard Case (58″x18″x10″)
- (1) Armageddon Gear Soft Case
- (2) Bore Guides for 7.62 and .300/.338
- (1) Stock Spacer Kit with 4 Spacers and Hardware
- (1) Cleaning Kit with Rod
- (1) Tool Kit with Torque Wrench, Bits, and Operator Spare Parts Kit
- (5) 10 Round Magazines for 7.62x51mm NATO, .300NM, and .338NM
- (1) Armageddon Gear Precision Rifle Sling
- (1) Harris Bipod
- (1) Armageddon Suppressor Cover
- Nightforce ATACR 7-35x FFP with Mil-XT reticle C613
- Mk 22 ASR Suppressor
- .338 Norma Magnum: 1:9.4 in 27″ Barrel
- .300 Norma Magnum: 1:8 in 26″ Barrel
- 7.62x51mm NATO: 1:8 in 20″ Barrel
If your name doesn’t end with Bezos, then this deployment kit is going to come with some sticker shock. The whole kit, as spec’d by Charlies Custom Clones, comes in at $24,525 as of this writing. This is basically the exact same kit all the cool bearded guys will be using. Did you really expect one of the best sniper rifles for 2021 to be cheap?
While the Mk22 is certainly a bad ass gun. You can buy your own version of the rifle for much less. The civilian version of the rifle, without all the goodies, costs around $4,060 as of this writing. This version comes with one caliber, and no optic.
Now that we’ve covered the latest special operations bolt action sniper rifle, let’s talk about the semi automatic sniper system.
If you like fitness, shooting, and pretending to be an operator, then click here to join the Tier Three Team. It’s totally free, and over seven thousand members get the latest articles sent directly to their inbox.
M110K1 Semi Automatic Sniper System by Knights Armament
Firearms nerds like me will recall that the M110 semi-automatic sniper system (SASS) has been around for more than a decade. It was the first reliable multi shot capable sniper system to be used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fundamentally, it’s a .308 caliber AR-10 pattern rifle with an integral suppressor.
As we alluded to earlier, the .308 caliber continues to be a legacy cartridge for special operations forces, mainly because of its wide spread use. You can find 7.62×51 cartridges all over the world, and it’s an adequate round for many purposes. However, it has been recently overtaken by the 6.5 Creedmoor, which is a caliber using roughly the same sized overall round, with a higher performing bullet.
USSOCOM adopted the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge for use in 2018, and as a result, it has requested a new variant of the venerable M110 SASS, chambered in this higher performing cartridge, hence the M110 K1 updated upper. Here is a video going over the weapon system.
To be clear, this is only an upgraded upper receiver, not a completely new gun. This is the rarest of occurrences when the military is trying to be frugal. USSOCOM plans on using the new uppers, in 6.5 Creedmoor, on top of legacy lower receiver groups. Because the rounds are of similar size, the legacy suppressor can be used as well.
While details are scant, I would expect a 6.5 Creedmoor to be able to reach out to around 1,000 yards or so. The biggest benefit to special operations snipers, is the ability to rapidly engage targets of opportunity. Most urban battlefields are target rich environments, with very short windows to engage the enemy. These rifles are key to making quick engagements and follow up shots.
Just like the MRAD, the M110 SASS will come in a deployment kit, with cases, tools, and more. It’s likely to be much less than a full rifle system which will generally run you $25,000 or so for the M110 SASS. I don’t actually know what the government is paying for this stuff, I’m just providing you with price mere mortals have to pay for it.
If you like this kind of awesome hardware, but don’t want to drop college tuition money on one of the best sniper rifles for 2021, then you’re in luck. Let’s walk through a precision rifle build that will come in under $3000 as a complete system.
The $3000 Dollar Precision Rifle Build
If you’re a gear snob, then you should probably stop reading now. I’m not going to be including any big ticket items. I’m only going to cover gear that works well, and doesn’t break the bank. For this, we should think less Ferrari, and more Corvette.
We will start with the excellent Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle has become wildly popular since its release. If fed quality ammunition, it can shoot .75 MOA groups. This puts it well within the accuracy requirements for a sniper rifle. Even better, you can purchase the rifle for around $1400. Here’s a quick overview of the rifle.
Now let’s talk about the optic that we should put on the rifle. We want to go with something made by a quality manufacturer, that will allow us to make hits out to a thousand yards or more. The Vortex Viper PST 5-25×50 scope has entered the chat. This scope costs right around $1000. This brings our current total to $2400, however we aren’t done yet. We will still need to get a set of scope rings and a quality bipod. Check this video to learn more about the scope.
If we include the rifle, the scope, rings, and bipod, this will bring our rifle to $2700. This leaves an extra $300 dollars for ammunition. After all, you can’t just have an awesome rifle with nothing to shoot. If you pick up some basic 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, you’ll be able to purchase roughly 100 rounds with your $300 bucks. That’s right, each round is around $3 per round. While this may not be the absolute top tier, best sniper rifle for 2021, it still costs just as much to shoot as the big boys! So, there’s that.
Where to Shoot Your Precision Rifle ?
I’m not just talking about finding enough land to really stretch out your rifle. A quick Google search should yield some results, if you need a basic range. I’m talking about where you should go to build some serious long range shooting skills. If you’ve read any of my previous articles about competitive pistol shooting, you’ll know that I think shooting sports are the best method to increase your skills. Wouldn’t you know it, there is a specific sport for long range rifle shooting called the Precision Rifle Series.
This shooting sport encompasses several divisions. You can shoot a rifle just like we built, a semi auto gas gun, or many others. If long range shooting interests you, then I would recommend attending a match to watch, and then signing up for one if it seems like your cup of tea.
Final Thoughts
We’ve talked about the best sniper rifles for 2021 in this article, but let’s keep a few things in mind. As awesome as the gear and equipment special operations snipers use is, it doesn’t compare to the skill and will to use it. Training and experience are the real tools of the trade.
If you aren’t a hairy chested freedom fighter, you can still enjoy the sweet precision of shooting at long distance with the Precision Rifle Series. Now get out there, and get shooting!
Any links to Amazon, Brownells, Primary Arms, or Palmetto State Armory are affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then purchase items from those companies they pay a referral fee to us, at no cost to you. This helps keep the lights on here. Thanks!
