Rifles & Optics of the European Best Sniper Squad Competition 2016

    TFB’s Pete recently wrote about the European Sniper Competition, hosted by the U.S. Army in Germany.

    The competition included competitors from Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    The squads were tested during four days, with 30 different “stations” from sniping, navigation and medical.

    Out of curiosity me and a few friends started scrolling through all the pictures, looking at the videos, trying our best to identify which rifles, optics and other equipment the snipers were using. The result can be found below in pictures and writing.

    Did we get all of the rifles and nationalities right? No, certainly not. Some are quite difficult and there are many, many better experts out there than us. Please help in the comments section below if you spot mistakes.

    Conclusions:

    Accuracy International is clearly over-represented in these pictures, in 7,62×51 mm NATO.

    There are a few Berret MRADs, in .338 Lapua Magnum, and SAKO TRG-42s, most likely also in .338 Lapua Magnum.

    The US Team seems to be using a variation of M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, possibly SR-25, M110s and Remington Modular Sniper Rifle. But we could be wrong, some look very similar when picutres don’t give everything away (for an untrained eye).

    In terms of optics, it seems “everyone” was using Schmidt & Bender, except USA with Leupolds.

    You will also find a few G36s, Ak4s (G3), SCAR-H and HK 416 and 417.

    There are a few EOTechs, Elcans and Hensholdt sights on various rifles.


    Let the show begin:

    Below: An U.S. Soldier, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, plotting a map during the land navigation exercise. Is that an SR-25 with Magpul PRS stock, or M110?

    US- 1st Battalion-4th Infantry Regiment

    Below: Looks like Heckler & Koch G36s with EOTechs and magnifiers. The least accurate combination of all times? (sorry I had to)

    Lithuania-G36

    Below: Thumbs down from the spotter. I guess that would indicate a mike. M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle with Leupold?

    USmarines-thumbsdown

    It’s pretty bad ass to shoot from a boat. Accuracy International on a tripod.

    Badass

    Shooting from a boat. In IPSC Shotgun World Shoot we shot buckshots from a boat in one stage. This looks a lot more challenging, and I guess the crew has to be very still in the boat. Note the empty shell that breaks the water from the M110.

    US-soldier

    One soldier commented: “It was very hard because we never do training on the boat or helicopter” – well maybe you should.

    US-sniper

    Below: SCAR-H in 7,62. Looks absolutely massive. This is a Lithuanian soldier. Note the muzzle protection.

    Latvia3

    Looks like a quick attach mount.

    AR15-6

    Lithuania Adopts FN SCAR-H Precision Rifle (7.62mm)

    Lithuania

    Latvian soldier making his rifle look like grass. He’s pretty successful at it, but I guess it’s an AI based on the grip.

    Latvia2

    Below: A British sniper preparing for the stalking event. Possibly a L115 A3 Accuracy International AWM?

    Brittish-stalking

    Below: A Danish sniper. Looks like a Spuhr mount with an Aimpoint Micro on the side. H&K 417 ‘Sniper’ with a   20″ accurized barrel.

    Danish

    Below: I hope this Italian sniper is not shooting with a barrel support. I would be scared to death in a helicopter with an open door. SAKO TRG-42  in .300 Winchester Magnum or most likely .338 Lapua Magnum. The TRG-42 is used by the 9th Parachute Assault Regiment and the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale.

    Italian

    Swedish Coastal Ranger, with a PSG-90 (Sniper Rifle 1990).  Note the Trident patch to the left, similar to the US Navy SEALs.

    The PSG-90 is essentialy an Accuracy International L96A1 AW. (Arctic Warfare). Atlas bipod to be noted.

    Swedish-high angle shot

    Below: Latvian snipers, with Accuracy Intl. rifle and mount.

    Latvia

    Another Spuhr mount, on Accuracy International.

    Dutch

    Below: Belgian team with an Accuracy International. I would love to see the FN Ballista more, but not here.

    FRANCE-or-BEL-AR15-8

    Below: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. Winners of the longest sound suppressor.

    USAAR15-8

    AR15-5

    ARM40A6

    The M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle in action.

    USAAR15-6

    .300 Winchester Magnum about to go down range. Unfortunately for the US team, the spotters called out a lot of mikes (misses) here, but they weren’t alone.

    UK-or-USAAR15-7

    Surefire SOCOM Muzzle Brake? Probably a safe bet to say they’re using Surefire suppressors?

    M40A6

    Most likely the Swedish Team with the PSG-90, Accuracy International AW.

    sweAR15-6

    SAKO TRG-42 with a massive muzzle brake. .338 LM I presume. S&B optics.

    Badass3

    Most likely an English sniper with Accuracy International AWM, L115 A3.

    In the .338 Lapua Magnum version, this rifle has the record for the longest recorded sniper kill, at 2 475 meters.

    UK-or-USAAR15-6

    AI AW most likely in .338 LM, AI mount and S&B optics.

    Badass2

    Below: I think this is Norway, the winners. Barret MRAD in .338 Lapua Magnum and Schmidt & Bender PM 2 5-25×56 optics. Lasers and stuff going on on the Picatinny. Looks like an Atlas bipod, at least on the second rifle.

    AR15-4

    Below: Swedish Team, with PSG-90 and Ak4 (Heckler & Koch G3) and – most likely – Hensholdt.

    SWE-AR15-49

    Below, a better picture of the latest edition of the Swedish AK4, upgraded with Spuhr’s hand guard and stock. This rifle was not in the competition, but will soon find its way out to selected units. Due to budget cuts, the old Hensholdt was considered “good enough” in a benchmarks.

    Spuhr

    Someone taped his Ak4 (HK G3) real good with camouflage. The Hensholdt is well protected.

    SWE-AR15-47

    Notice the Swedish Pistol 88, or Glock 17 in 9×19 mm. No magazines inserted.

    SWE-AR15-46

    SWE-AR15-45

    Couldn’t find any pictures of other units with visible handguns.

    SWE-AR15-44

    Norwegian soldier from the Telemark battalion, with Heckler & Koch 416N and Elcan Spectre 1-4.

    AR15-1

    Another angle, the laser clearly visible.

    AR15-3

    Swedish soldiers with PSG-90B on tripod.

    Swe-2

    Below Swedish Ranger with PSG-90.

    snipe

    I think that’s a Remington Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR).

    US-marines2

     

    1456

    Another Remington Modular Sniper Rifle? I would advice against using dark sunshades in these conditions, but it looks cool.

    US-marines

    The teams one the Podium?

    AR15-7

    Thanks to Mattias. I hope we got most of them right, but please comment below.

    Eric B

    Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6×6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.


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