Actual rifle set up for shooting from a helicopter?

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cluttonfred

cluttonfred

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Can anyone point me to an actual or recommended set up for a sniper rifle for use from a helicopter, such as is used by some police departments? I am thinking that something with more punch at range than a .223 is required, likely .308 though there would be an argument for something like a .243. I am also wondering about semi-auto vs. bolt and the need for accessories like a case catcher. I am not interested in hunting set ups (though they may be quite similar) as the application in mind may well involve targets that shoot back. Cheers, Matthew
 
I'll paint a big white X in the pasture. Come pick me up and I'll supply a few different precision rifles, both bolt and semi, the ammo and targets. All you need to bring is the chopper. :)
 
Well that's creepy, kind of like going on to an auto forum and asking "what's the best kind of Van for kidnapping people".
 
I am not sure that civil law enforcement agencies get public (or liability insurance company) support for arming helicopters. I recall a big argument over whether there were "mounted guns" on the ATF-requisitioned TXNG helicopters in the 28 Feb 1993 raid on the Branch Davidians outside Waco. A lot of civil libertarians were outraged by use of armed helicopters in civil police actions (recalling the bombing of the MOVE house in Philly).

Coast Guard however is a military unit that enforces maritime laws using military tactics. Accprding to Wikipedia: "The United States Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron and Law Enforcement Detachments use versions of the Barrett M107 to disable the engines of go-fast boats carrying illegal drugs." I recall seeing a documentary on CG drug interdiction that included using a Barrett rifle to stop a smuggler boat.

Well that's creepy, kind of like going on to an auto forum and asking "what's the best kind of Van for kidnapping people".
Click to expand...

Or it could be like someone going on a "tired iron" military vehicle collector site and asking how the North Africa "Rats of Tobruk" aka "Desert Rats" (TV's Rat Patrol) mounted weapons on their jeeps and trucks.
 
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I don't know any LEO that shoot from helicopters. I have seen hog hunters do it but that is a much, much different situation and setting.

I was watching some military sniper competition where they did shooting from a moving helicopter. Some. of the best snipers in the world, real snipers, and only one or two had even one hit. So yeah, not something I'd call realistic.

But, from what I saw most of the snipers were using bolt guns of some kind. A few used AR pattern rifles. The one guy I know got hits was using a bolt gun but admitted to just throwing rounds down range. He was shocked when they said he hit one.
 
Not that it really helps to allay any fears (I could just be a wacko and making this up), but I was asking because I believe that U.S. SWAT teams sometimes use marksmen in helicopters, so I was curious what sort of rifle set up they actually employ. I am not personally in law enforcement but my work involves law enforcement training and assistance in the developing world, and some of that involves light aerial surveillance from helicopters and and small planes, so I was just thinking "what if?"
 
Check out Full Metal Jacket. There are probably some used Hueys sitting around that could be had for a pretty good price.
 
they just use whatever rifle they have. it depends on what they're doing. sometimes a bolt gun is appropriate. sometimes they use their AR15s. it's not like they have specialty rifles just for helicopters.

that said, you can certainly make some modifications to make it easier to shoot out of a helicopter.

i believe riflesonly offers a helicopter class if you want to learn about it. i've shot bolt guns from helicopters a few times. it's a lot of fun.
 
Self loading rifles are often used. Brass catchers help keep the spent brass from falling out & striking the tail rotor
 
I was just thinking "what if?"
Click to expand...

Then why did you say,

I am not interested in hunting set ups (though they may be quite similar) as the application in mind may well involve targets that shoot back.
Click to expand...
?

Something about this set off my creepy meter.
 
I agree with the above posters. It smells.

The TTPs he asking about are military tried and tested involving various platforms/environments.

If the OP was really involved in the field of work he claims, he'd have no need to come on an open forum in search of such information. He'd have firsthand knowledge, and access to the operators that could take him further down that road.
 
Does this helicopter patrol the parking lots of some of the biggest urban shopping centers in the country?
Don't forget, you'll also want a 3 man tactical support team on the ground for that, fully outfitted with ballistic armor, extra plates in the back.



:rolleyes:
 
Robert said:
I don't know any LEO that shoot from helicopters. I have seen hog hunters do it but that is a much, much different situation and setting.

I was watching some military sniper competition where they did shooting from a moving helicopter. Some. of the best snipers in the world, real snipers, and only one or two had even one hit. So yeah, not something I'd call realistic.

But, from what I saw most of the snipers were using bolt guns of some kind. A few used AR pattern rifles. The one guy I know got hits was using a bolt gun but admitted to just throwing rounds down range. He was shocked when they said he hit one.
Click to expand...

I believe one of those History Channel shows, has Alaskan Police shooting a suspect from a helicopter. He was wired with a bomb I believe.
 
There was a show on TV (History Channel maybe) where the State Police in Alaska were pursuing a felon via helicopter. Had two cops. Guy shot and killed one of the cops just as he was shot and killed. From what I remember they were normal cops sniper type weapons. .308 maybe. Dunno.
 
Robert said:
Ok, so one department might have done it once for a very specific reason. Not really common though.
Click to expand...

The US Coast Guard does it on a regular basis in their efforts to stop drug smugglers who use fast boats to bring drugs into the US. They use .50 BMG rifles and their objective is to take out the engines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8yBq_kk2dA
 
Right but gunning down a boat from a helo with a M2 machine gun is not really the same thing. I am not saying it hasn't or can't be done, but that for 99% of American Departments it is not something they do. Or even think about. Heck the SO and PD here don't even have a helo and we are the second largest city in the state. Just too expensive to operate.
 
Robert said:
Right but gunning down a boat from a helo with a M2 machine gun is not really the same thing. I am not saying it hasn't or can't be done, but that for 99% of American Departments it is not something they do. Or even think about. Heck the SO and PD here don't even have a helo and we are the second largest city in the state. Just too expensive to operate.
Click to expand...

They use Barrett rifles with Eotech optics, not M2s. Clip also shows them using scoped M21
 
Ok. Again, not saying it can't be done. But the USCG is a vastly different entity than the average US law enforcement department. The op was asking about law enforcement operation, and while drug interdiction on the high seas comes under that definition it is hardly the norm for all but the US government.

So unless the op has access to Barrett rifles or mini guns or machine guns that is all fairly moot. As taliv said, most departments would use what they have on hand. A bolt action rifle or AR style rifle. If they op does have access to higher end Barretts and the like then by all means go for it.
 
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