What caliber did the Navy Seals use?

[Rufus]

I thought i'd put it up since it might seem interesting to analyze. I'll take a guess that is was a personal choice of caliber by each sniper who took out the Pirates. Something in a .30 caliber cartridge.

[danattherock]

My guess is .308 or .223.

Either way, they did a great job. I hope they get to do it again real soon. From the morning news, it appears they will. Another US boat was attacked by machine gun fire and grenades.

[MarineHawk]

I wondered about that too. I assumed (I have no knowledge) that it was at least a .308. I would not want to be shooting through a window at 70 yds trying to headshoot someone standing next ot a hostage with a .223.

[Down Range]

308 win, 168gr Sierra's

[ARKY]

+1 on .308

[6XLeech]

"Representative list"...

One of these? List at:

http://www.navyseals.com/weapons-demo

[aknome]

one of these three

From Navyseals.com

Sniper Rifles
M14 Sniper Rifle (7.62mm)
MK11 Mod 0 Sniper Weapon System (7.62mm)
M82A1 Heavy Sniper Rifle (.50 cal)

[Down Range]

Mod 700 SA, Bull Barrel 22", A4 Mc Stock, Fast Loc Pin, Unertl Scope!

[yukon254]

308

great job by those boys, but cant help but wonder. 4 bad guys 3 dead, did one of the seals miss?? cant see them leaving one bad guy alive? still great job, sounds like they might be busy over there for awhile

[Vance in AK]

great job by those boys, but cant help but wonder. 4 bad guys 3 dead, did one of the seals miss?? cant see them leaving one bad guy alive? still great job, sounds like they might be busy over there for awhile

As I understand it #4 was on another boat "negotiating" at the time.

[MarineHawk]

As I understand it #4 was on another boat "negotiating" at the time.

#4 was on the same boat as the Seals. He had boarded purportedly to negotiate, but instead, he used it as an excuse to surrender and not have his head shot at by Seal snipers with .308s.

The seals simultaneously made three head shots on the only three pirates remaining in custody of the U.S. merchant captain. Two of the priates stuck their heads out of a hatch for air. Then, when the third guy, pointing his AK47 at the U.S. captain, came into the Seals' view through the lifeboat's front window, "bang" --x3.

Not bad for a bunch of squids. Just kidding.

[Float Pilot]

Since the range had been greatly reduced by towing them closer and closer, almost an rifle in their inventory would have worked. Those guys have access to pretty much anything they want. You can also pretty much bet that there were more than three guys shooting or ready to shoot. Usually two shooters per target in a hostage situation. When all targets are in the open the count down starts and everyone fires where the zero should be.
Then the clearing team goes down the tow line while the rescue team goes into the water.

[North Polar]

From Navyseals.com

Sniper Rifles
M14 Sniper Rifle (7.62mm)
MK11 Mod 0 Sniper Weapon System (7.62mm)
M82A1 Heavy Sniper Rifle (.50 cal)

According to the report they used the MK 11 .308 rifles made my knights armament. Probably suppressed but it didnt say in the report.

Regardless, its a bunch of incredible shots.

[Packer]

Since the range had been greatly reduced by towing them closer and closer, almost an rifle in their inventory would have worked. Those guys have access to pretty much anything they want. You can also pretty much bet that there were more than three guys shooting or ready to shoot. Usually two shooters per target in a hostage situation. When all targets are in the open the count down starts and everyone fires where the zero should be.
Then the clearing team goes down the tow line while the rescue team goes into the water.

Interesting.

I'm just glad it turned out the way it did. Americans have become such wimps about this type of thing Im glad people are supporting the military for the way they handled it.

[ADfields]

I have seen a hard case issued to seal teams that holds an M11 and an M82A1 and all the equipment for both rifles when the company I worked for was biding to make them for the Navy. That was about 10 years back now but I bet they still use them in the field today, and I know they still use the same rifles.