The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

Navy SEAL Sniper Rifles Explained

June 15, 2016 by Brandon Webb 5 Comments

I just spoke with my friend and former SEAL Team 3 teammate Chris Kyle today. I called to ask him his advice regarding my own upcoming media tour with the release of my book April 10th. After a shooting the shit we ended up talking about the SOFREP TV show (well…we ended talking about beer drinking and this before.)

Chris and I at SHOT Show 2012
Chris and I at SHOT Show 2012

As my mind was racing on my drive home I thought to myself, “Why don’t I talk about ALL the guns in the SEAL sniper’s kit, and post them in a series in The Loadout Room?”  And this post was born.

What I’ll do is go through the full weapons spread one-by-one and give you guys some personal perspective and my opinion on employment and overall thoughts on the weapon.

Also check out gear and guns of the Navy SEALs on SOFREP (we update this monthly).

My former Teammate and “Ace” sniper student “Axe”. See you on the other side brother. Read more: http://loadoutroom.com/64/navy-seal-sniper-rifles-explained/#ixzz4B8hpj9tZ
My former Teammate and “Ace” sniper student “Axe”. See you on the other side brother.

The Mk-12 Special Purpose Rifle

Axe is pictured here with the Mk-12 rifle with NVG attachment in the front of the Nightforce scope.

Thoughts:  I’m not a big fan of anything 5.56 and I personally avoided carrying the Mk-12 in favor of the 300 win mag or 7.62 semi.

The 5.56 round itself is just substandard all around in my opinion.  The only thing I would consider it good for is sub 300 yards urban operations, but you better make head shots.  And if you’ve ever shot someone in the head it’s a damn hard shot to make in a critical situation. Peoples heads bob back and forth and move around constantly.  Better to go center mass to the chest with 175 grains of 7.62 boat tail hollow point.  It’s the kind of chest pain that ends quickly and never comes back….

The Mk-12 would make a good paper weight, that’s about it….

Next week I’ll feature the Mk-11 7.62 by RK (not a fan of this rifle or Reed Knights Non-Quality Assurance program).

Brandon out.

Share This

Filed Under: Rifle Tagged With: Long range, Navy Seals, precision shooting, sniper, Sniper Rifles

About the Author

Avatar

Brandon Webb Former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb served over thirteen years active duty service.  After completing Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) training with class 215, his career involved combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. After his last deployment with SEAL TEAM THREE, he worked at the Naval Special Warfare Group One (NSWG1) Sniper Cell, then finished up his last assignment as the Naval Special Warfare Command Sniper Course Manager.

See All Brandon Webb Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

Featured

Stories from Delta Force Selection: When not to dance

Dogs

Tactipup Extreme Collar and Leash: Tactical dog gear, Perfected

Firearms

Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Optic Mount head-to-head review between MCARBO and Midwest Industries

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers