S&P 500
7,226.20
+0.01%
Dow Jones
49,494.60
-0.62%
Nasdaq 100
27,685.40
+0.66%
Russell 2000
2,804.78
-0.02%
FTSE 100
10,364.50
0.00%
Nikkei 225
59,260.50
-0.78%

Special Report

Militaries Worldwide Use These Longest-Range Sniper Rifles

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Published
Follow 24/7 Wall St. on Google
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Militaries Worldwide Use These Longest-Range Sniper Rifles

© u0628u0627u0647u0631u06f2u06f3 - u0631u0648u0646u0645u0627u06ccu06cc u0627u0632 u062cu062fu06ccu062fu062au0631u06ccu0646 u062fu0633u062au0627u0648u0631u062fu0647u0627u06cc u0646u06ccu0631u0648u06cc u0632u0645u06ccu0646u06cc u0627u0631u062au0634 (CC BY 4.0) by Hossein Zohrevand

Sniper rifles are predominantly essential tools of modern military forces, offering precision and destruction in long-range engagements. Among these rifles, a select few stand out as the longest-range sniper rifles currently in use. These rifles are paramount to the success of today’s snipers and together with these weapons, they are changing the face of the battlefield.

A great example of this is Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who is known as the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history. During his tour in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006, he recorded 91 kills, earning him the name of “The Devil of Ramadi.” Kyle was also credited with hitting an insurgent over 1.2 miles away, a feat of incredible skill aided by modern sniper technology.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed sniper rifles cataloged by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more to determine the longest-range guns used by militaries around the world. We ranked the guns according to their maximum effective range, limiting the list to guns with maximum effective ranges above 3,000 feet. Supplemental data on country of origin, first year of service, caliber, cartridge, and the ammunition used by each rifle also comes from Military Factory.

The rifles on this list fall into two categories: anti-materiel rifles (AMR) and anti-personnel rifles. Anti-materiel rifles are meant to pierce armor or fortified positions, while anti-personnel rifles are meant to neutralize combatants. The rifles near the top of this list tend to be anti-material as these are longer-range than most anti-personnel rifles. More than half of these rifles are capable of chambering a 12.7x99mm NATO caliber round, making this ammo fairly ubiquitous among most snipers. (Also see, the fastest-firing machine guns in the world.)

The American-made CheyTac Intervention is one of the top names on this list. This anti-materiel rifle chambers a .408 CheyTac cartridge and can reach distances of more than 6,500 ft. with considerable accuracy. Its repeating mechanism allows for swift follow-up shots. The Intervention set a world record for the best grouping at a distance (2,122 meters). (These are the world’s largest gun makers.)

These Militaries Around the World Use These Longest-Range Sniper Rifles

29. Siyavash SWS

Majid Saeedi / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Iran
  • Year entered service: 2013
  • Used by: Iran
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO

28. MKEK JNG-90

Bora-12 by YenilenebilirAdam
Bora-12 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by YenilenebilirAdam
  • Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Turkey
  • Year entered service: 2008
  • Used by: Turkey, Azerbaijan
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO

27. Brugger & Thomet APR

BT APR338 LM silenciada Ejercito de Chile by RaulRiosCavada
BT APR338 LM silenciada Ejercito de Chile (CC BY-SA 4.0) by RaulRiosCavada
  • Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Switzerland
  • Year entered service: 2005
  • Used by: Switzerland, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Singapore
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO, .338 Lapua Magnum, .308 Winchester

26. Accuracy International L96

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare by Mr Bullitt
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Mr Bullitt
  • Maximum effective range: 3,608 ft.
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Year entered service: 1982
  • Used by: United Kingdom, United States, France, Belgium
  • Caliber/Cartridge:  7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum

25. NORINCO CS/LR4

CS-LR4 Sniper Rifle by Rhk111
CS-LR4 Sniper Rifle (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Rhk111
  • Maximum effective range: 3,610 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: China
  • Year entered service: 2012
  • Used by: China, Philippines, Venezuela
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 8.6x70mm

24. GA MSSR

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 3,610 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Philippines
  • Year entered service: 1996
  • Used by: Philippines
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 5/56x45mm NATO

23. Accuracy International AWM

AWM-338-white by MathKnight
AWM-338-white (CC BY-SA 4.0) by MathKnight
  • Maximum effective range: 3,610 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Year entered service: 1996
  • Used by: United Kingdom, Norway, Russia, Poland
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum

22. Remington M2010 ESR

Tac50white1 by MathKnight
Tac50white1 (CC BY-SA 3.0) by MathKnight
  • Maximum effective range: 3,935 ft.
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 2011
  • Used by: United States
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .300 Winchester Magnum

21. Accuracy International Mk 13 (SOCOM)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 3,940 ft.
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 2017
  • Used by: United States
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .300 Winchester Magnum

20. PGM 338

Mini Hecate 338 by Rude
Mini Hecate 338 (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Rude
  • Maximum effective range: 4,600 ft.
  • Country of origin: France
  • Year entered service: 1993
  • Used by: France, Armenia, Israel
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum

19. Steyr HS.50

Steyr HS .50-right side-scope by Steyr Mannlicher
Steyr HS .50-right side-scope (CC BY 2.0) by Steyr Mannlicher
  • Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Austria
  • Year entered service: 2004
  • Used by: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .460 Steyr, .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

18. Remington MSR

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 2013
  • Used by: United States, France, Israel
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO, .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum

17. Haenel RS

Haenel RS9 noBG by Reise_Reise
Haenel RS9 noBG (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Reise_Reise
  • Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Year entered service: 2016
  • Used by: Germany
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum

16. Zbrojovka ZB Falcon

ZVI Falcon by MeganLynn123Hell
ZVI Falcon (CC BY-SA 4.0) by MeganLynn123Hell
  • Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Czechoslovakia
  • Year entered service: 1990
  • Used by: Czech Republic, Ukraine
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 12.7x108mm DshK

15. Accuracy International L115

Jessica McGowan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Year entered service: 1997
  • Used by: United Kingdom, United States, Egypt, Ireland
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum

14. Accuracy International AW50

Carl Court / Getty Images
  • Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Year entered service: 1999
  • Used by: United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

13. PGW C14 Timberwolf MRSWS

Courtesy of Wolverine Supplies via Facebook
  • Maximum effective range: 4,925 ft.
  • Country of origin: Canada
  • Year entered service: 2005
  • Used by: Canada
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .338 Lapua Magnum

12. Harris M96

Denel NTW-20 by Kistara
Denel NTW-20 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Kistara
  • Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 1996
  • Used by: Malayasia, United States
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

11. Barrett M95

Barrett-M95-Grass by John Torch II
Barrett-M95-Grass (CC BY-SA 4.0) by John Torch II
  • Maximum effective range: 5,900 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 1995
  • Used by: United States, Austria, Denmark, Finland
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

10. Barrett M90

Barrett M95SP by Outisnn
Barrett M95SP (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Outisnn
  • Maximum effective range: 5,900 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 1990
  • Used by: United States
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

9. TASKO 7ET3 (AMR)

TASKO 7ET3 by MeganLynn123Hell
TASKO 7ET3 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by MeganLynn123Hell
  • Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Ukraine
  • Year entered service: 2018
  • Used by: Ukraine
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 12.7x108mm Soviet, .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

8. Robar RC-50

Robar RC-50 anti material sniper rifle by Rizuan
Robar RC-50 anti material sniper rifle (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Rizuan
  • Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 1985
  • Used by: Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Malaysia
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

7. CheyTac Intervention

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 2001
  • Used by: Italy, Poland, Turkey, United Kingdom
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .408 CheyTac, .375 CheyTac

6. XADO Snipex Alligator

u0413u0432u0438u043du0442u0456u0432u043au0430 u00abu0410u043bu0456u0433u0430u0442u043eu0440u00bb by u0421u0435u0440u0433u0456u0439 u0412u043eu0440u043eu043du043au043eu0432
u0413u0432u0438u043du0442u0456u0432u043au0430 u00abu0410u043bu0456u0433u0430u0442u043eu0440u00bb (CC BY 4.0) by u0421u0435u0440u0433u0456u0439 u0412u043eu0440u043eu043du043au043eu0432
  • Maximum effective range: 6,561 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: Ukraine
  • Year entered service: 2020
  • Used by: Ukraine
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 14.5x114mm Soviet

5. Vidhwansak AMR

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 6,561 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: India
  • Year entered service: 2007
  • Used by: India
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 12.7x108mm. 14.5x114mm, 20x82mm

4. McMillan TAC-50

Tac50white1 by MathKnight
Tac50white1 (CC BY-SA 3.0) by MathKnight
  • Maximum effective range: 6,561 ft. (tied)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 2000
  • Used by: Canada, United States, France, Israel, Turkey
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

3. ArmaLite AR-50

JohnC76 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum effective range: 8,000 ft.
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Year entered service: 1999
  • Used by: United States, Malaysia
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)

2. Baher-23

u0628u0627u0647u0631u06f2u06f3 - u0631u0648u0646u0645u0627u06ccu06cc u0627u0632 u062cu062fu06ccu062fu062au0631u06ccu0646 u062fu0633u062au0627u0648u0631u062fu0647u0627u06cc u0646u06ccu0631u0648u06cc u0632u0645u06ccu0646u06cc u0627u0631u062au0634 by Hossein Zohrevand
u0628u0627u0647u0631u06f2u06f3 - u0631u0648u0646u0645u0627u06ccu06cc u0627u0632 u062cu062fu06ccu062fu062au0631u06ccu0646 u062fu0633u062au0627u0648u0631u062fu0647u0627u06cc u0646u06ccu0631u0648u06cc u0632u0645u06ccu0646u06cc u0627u0631u062au0634 (CC BY 4.0) by Hossein Zohrevand
  • Maximum effective range: 9,840 ft.
  • Country of origin: Iran
  • Year entered service: 2015
  • Used by: Iran
  • Caliber/Cartridge: 23x152mmB

1. WKW Wilk / Tor

WKW Wilk by Nemo5576
WKW Wilk (CC BY-SA 2.5) by Nemo5576
  • Maximum effective range: 9,842 ft.
  • Country of origin: Poland
  • Year entered service: 2005
  • Used by: Ukraine, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam
  • Caliber/Cartridge: .50BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Fed’s Rate Freeze Could Sting for Social Security Recipients
Maurie Backman |

Fed’s Rate Freeze Could Sting for Social Security Recipients
'Convert $100,000 a Year to Get Them to the Top of the 22%': The Roth Plan for a Couple With $2.3M in 401(k)s
Jeremy Phillips |

'Convert $100,000 a Year to Get Them to the Top of the 22%': The Roth Plan for a Couple With $2.3M in 401(k)s

Continue Reading

The Longest-Range Sniper Rifles Used by Militaries Around the World
Chris Lange |

The Longest-Range Sniper Rifles Used by Militaries Around the World

Modern snipers and their rifles are changing the face of the battlefield. Take, for example, Navy Seal Chris Kyle, who…
25 of the Most Accurate Sniper Rifles, Ranked by Effective Range
Chris Lange |

25 of the Most Accurate Sniper Rifles, Ranked by Effective Range

In terms of modern warfare, the sniper rifle still remains one of the most feared and respected tools of combat.…
The WWII Invention That Changed Modern Sniper Warfare Forever
Chris Lange |

The WWII Invention That Changed Modern Sniper Warfare Forever

Modern sniping didn’t come from a single rifle, rather, it was born from a wave of WW2-era innovations that redefined…
30 Legendary Rifles That Refuse to Retire
Chris Lange |

30 Legendary Rifles That Refuse to Retire

Some rifles are so reliable, so battle-tested, and so effective that they refuse to fade into history. Across warzones and…
The Russian Military’s Longest Range Rifles and Machine Guns
Chris Lange |

The Russian Military’s Longest Range Rifles and Machine Guns

In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, small arms are playing a critical role in achieving strategic objectives. Among the…
The Russian Military’s Longest Range Rifles and Machine Guns
Chris Lange |

The Russian Military’s Longest Range Rifles and Machine Guns

One of the most famous snipers of World War II was Lyudmila Pavlichenko of the Soviet Union, who earned the…
The M2’s Century of High Caliber Service With the Green Berets
Chris Lange |

The M2’s Century of High Caliber Service With the Green Berets

There are very few weapons in history that have earned the respect or seen the service life of the Browning…
These are the Guns SEALs Actually Prefer for Long-Range Work
Chris Lange |

These are the Guns SEALs Actually Prefer for Long-Range Work

Long-range marksmanship is one of the most demanding skills in the SEAL arsenal, and the rifle a sniper brings to…
The 1960s Sniper Rifle Still in Action with Russian Special Forces
Jennifer Geer |

The 1960s Sniper Rifle Still in Action with Russian Special Forces

Russian Special Forces, also known as Spetznaz, are highly trained military units responsible for conducting specialized, high-risk missions. Leaked documents…

Top Gaining Stocks

Cboe Global Markets
CBOE • Vol: 1,568,143
New Pluto Global
PSKY • Vol: 12,285,993
Seagate Technology
STX • Vol: 7,378,346
Oracle
ORCL • Vol: 26,317,675
Datadog
DDOG • Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ • Vol: 4,367,433
Clorox
CLX • Vol: 13,260,523
Stryker
SYK • Vol: 4,519,455
Mohawk Industries
MHK • Vol: 1,859,865
Amgen
AMGN • Vol: 3,818,618