Long-range kills aren’t about luck—they’re about solid rifles, skilled shooters, and a whole lot of patience. Over the years, a handful of rifles have carved their names into the history books thanks to confirmed shots that stretched the limits of what anyone thought was possible. Some were military-issue, some were custom setups, but every one of them proved deadly accurate in the right hands. If you’re interested in long-range precision with real-world results, these are the rifles worth knowing about.
McMillan Tac-50
The McMillan Tac-50 is the rifle behind multiple world-record sniper kills, including a confirmed shot by a Canadian JTF2 operator at over 3,500 meters. Chambered in .50 BMG, it’s not lightweight, but it delivers serious range and power.
This bolt-action rifle uses a match-grade barrel and comes with a crisp, adjustable trigger. It’s often paired with high-end optics and hand-loaded ammo for ultimate precision. When set up right, it hits harder and farther than most rifles on the planet.
Accuracy International L115A3
This British-built rifle earned its reputation when Corporal Craig Harrison made a confirmed kill at 2,475 meters in Afghanistan. Chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, it balances long-range reach with manageable recoil.
The L115A3 features a folding stock, adjustable cheekpiece, and a free-floating barrel. It’s been used by British snipers for years and remains one of the most effective platforms for shots beyond 2,000 meters without jumping to .50 cal territory.
Barrett M82A1
The Barrett M82A1 is best known as a semi-auto .50 BMG rifle that can reach out past 2,000 meters. While not the most precise platform compared to bolt actions, it’s been used effectively for anti-materiel and long-range sniper roles.
One confirmed kill at over 2,300 meters was recorded by a U.S. Marine using an M82A1 in Iraq. It’s heavy and kicks hard, but the power and intimidation factor are undeniable. The semi-auto action also lets it cycle faster than most in its class.
Remington 700
The Remington 700 has served as the base for many military sniper rifles, including the M24 used by U.S. Army snipers. While not flashy, it’s accurate, reliable, and easy to modify.
In skilled hands, this rifle has been used for confirmed kills beyond 1,000 meters for decades. The platform’s consistency and wide aftermarket support have made it a go-to for both military and civilian long-range shooters.
CheyTac M200 Intervention
The CheyTac M200 Intervention was designed with extreme range in mind, using the .408 CheyTac cartridge to maintain supersonic velocity beyond 2,000 yards. It’s big, expensive, and purpose-built for long shots.
A U.S. Navy SEAL reportedly used this platform to make hits past 2,000 meters. It comes with a matched ballistic computer system and custom optics to help shooters push past traditional engagement ranges with precision.
Steyr SSG 69
Though older, the Steyr SSG 69 was one of the first truly accurate out-of-the-box sniper rifles. Chambered in 7.62 NATO, it served with Austrian forces and other NATO countries for decades.
It’s lightweight for a precision rifle and offered impressive sub-MOA performance. While it doesn’t hold any modern records, it laid the groundwork for what precision bolt-actions could do, especially in the hands of trained military snipers.
M40 Sniper Rifle
Used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the M40 is based on the Remington 700 but tuned up by Marine armorers. Chambered in 7.62 NATO, it’s not known for record-breaking range, but it’s taken confirmed kills past 1,000 meters with ease.
The M40’s legacy is more about consistency than flash. It’s been part of every major conflict since Vietnam, and Marines trusted it to deliver accurate fire when it counted, even without high-end bells and whistles.
Dragunov SVD
The Dragunov SVD isn’t known for precision in the Western sense, but it still saw some surprising long-range success in the hands of skilled shooters. Chambered in 7.62x54R, it pushed the limits of what a semi-auto battle rifle could do.
During the Soviet-Afghan War, reports surfaced of confirmed kills approaching 1,200 meters—remarkable considering its general-purpose optic and combat role. It’s not a bolt gun, but it proved lethal when run right.
PGM Ultima Ratio
France’s PGM Ultima Ratio has been used for police and military precision shooting, and while not as famous as other platforms, it’s had confirmed kills beyond 1,500 meters. Chambered in calibers like .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua, it balances power and control.
Its modular design and tuned performance make it popular in Europe, and it’s been used in both counter-terrorism and long-range overwatch roles. It’s a quiet performer with serious reach in the right conditions.
Mauser K98k Sniper Variant
The German K98k sniper rifles from WWII weren’t precision rifles by modern specs, but they were deadly in the right hands. Chambered in 8mm Mauser, these rifles were responsible for some of the longest kills of the era.
One confirmed German sniper kill with a K98k came in at over 1,000 meters. Its accuracy came from tight machining, heavy barrels, and quality optics for the time. While crude by today’s standards, they set the bar for what wartime sniping looked like.
Mosin-Nagant PU Sniper
The Mosin-Nagant PU sniper variant saw action in WWII and produced some of the longest sniper kills of the war. Used by names like Vasily Zaitsev, this 7.62x54R bolt gun proved that even rough rifles could reach out when used right.
It wasn’t refined, but it was effective. Confirmed kills have been recorded past 1,000 meters, and it remained in sniper use for decades. With a fixed power optic and wartime conditions, it still managed long-range kills that hold up in the history books.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
