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Gentlemen, Would it be a fair statement to say that fieldcraft generally trumps technology? Steve

Hmmm...the truth is always stranger than fiction.

Sirhr and Sand, An interesting story. A few years ago, me and a few other sharpshooter buffs held a "Berdan's Sharpshooters Match". Rules were simple- first one had to fire a ten-shot string at 40 rods that would have passed Berdan's requirements for entry into the unit, then one proceeded to...

Sirhr, Couldn't agree more. The thing that becomes evident to me in reviewing conflicts from the Revolutionary War to present is that if you are in a numerically challenged position, as well as having difficulties with supply, one has to be "all in" on guerilla warfare. We have had this...

Sand, Exactly. I've no experience in the military and /or sniping but I have done a fair bit of guiding big game hunters and have used my flintlocks in a serious way to keep the freezer full. The difference between them and the modern rifle boils down to fieldcraft. You have one shot and...

Gentlemen, The obvious drawback to black powder from the sniping standpoint was/is the smoke revealing the rifleman's position. There are some ways around that, but it put the "one shot and move" rule out in front. I've shot with and competed against real world snipers who have gotten...

And yes sir, that was me asking you about Morgan`s rifleman. Kinda strange we dont seem to have much of a blackpowder crowd here as far as muzzleloaders and people who actually shoot them. Gentlemen, Reading that comment has prompted me to raise my hand as one of the "blackpowder...

Great rifle. An excellent example of "working within the school of thought". I, too, want to see how it shoots. Steve

sirhr- Montana Vintage Arms...their copy of the A5 Winchester scope. Excellent glass, selection of reticules, super quality and great warranty. Nothing else short of original production comes close. Fairly compact for hunting as well. Steve

Doctr- My wife grew up in Wellington and have spent a fair bit of time there. Wouldn't happen to know Mike Curtis who runs the lodge out by Castle Point? I used to go out there to shoot the old .303 Lee-Metford and .450 Martini at long range. Steve

Doctr- Where away in New Zealand? North or South, and if North anywhere near Palmerston? I've been known to show up 'round Pohangina from time to time. Steve

Delixe, To add more fuel to "What was actually used?" argument, this passage from "Out Of Nowhere" by Pegler- "There are also surviving records showing Government purchases of commercial telescopic sights in late 1914 and early 1915 and these total 2,914 items. Among them were German Zeiss...

Kraig, After doing a little research last night I can see what the story is...as much as I'd like to use a M70, I can see their point. The 1953 cutoff is what does it. One could argue a lot harder if the cutoff was the Vietnam War. The 6.5 Swede seems like the runner up to the Springfield...

Kraig, Not trying to stir the pot, but could I ask the question of why the Model 70 with a Unertl isn't listed as an acceptable rifle? I'm aware of the "never was officially issued" argument, but it seems like it saw too much use to not be included. Again, not trying to pull any chains...

Mike, I think you are right about the benchrest rifles that look like Vintage Sniper rifles. An unintended consequence of promoting the match. That's why it is important to be consistent with history by choosing a cutoff date on technology. Two classes, Original and Open where Original...

Gentlemen, The rule that I find the most inconsistent with history is the requirement that a rifle have a scope. There are numerous documented examples of snipers using iron-sighted rifles and besides being accurate to what was actually used, it would allow new shooters to participate in this...

Kraig, Good points, well taken. You are probably right about the Springfield...and I have contemplated building a Springfield from the ground up as I do think it represents the most advantages from the standpoint of sights, loads, ect. I would point out that the shoot at Cody would not...

Gentlemen, In my limited experience with Vintage Sniper matches (one to date) it's my opinion that the advantage that the Springfield enjoys is from the 8X Unertl scope. At the Cody match I shot a a Springfield and definitely appreciated the Unertl scope when is came to sorting out conditions...

Smile, Those two Ballards look a little familiar... Steve

Gentlemen, The most historically significant firearm? Without a doubt that first Swiss or German (a considerable debate rages in some circles over this) firearm made with a rifled barrel. All else was possible because of this... Steve Garbe