Designed by John Browning, the M2 Machine Gun (Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun) is a heavy machine gun which has been in service since 1933. That’s the main subject for Today’s Photo, accompanied by the Barret M82, chambered to shoot the same round.

These pictures were taken as Sniper Teams from across the globe traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, to compete in the Annual International Sniper Competition.

The goal of this competition is to identify the best sniper team from a wide range of agencies and organizations that includes the U.S. Military, international militaries, and local, state and federal law enforcement.

All teams used the same weapon systems – primarily the M110 SASS and the M4, but other systems like these pictured were also part of the games.

One Browning H2 is nice. Note the interesting shooting position. It doesn’t look very comfortable.

But two Brownings is nicerer.

Below: Note the empty brass.   

Barrett M82

And over to another .50 BMG, the Barrett M82 or the M107, which is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic sniper rifle made by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing company. It uses a 10 round magazine.

The effective firing range is said to be around 1 800 meters (2 000 yards). When shot the barrel initially recoils for a short distance, about 1 inch.

U.S. Army photos by Markeith Horace, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs.