What Sniper Rifles Were Used In Vietnam?

Answer 1

The USMC utilized a bolt action rifle thru-out the war (probably 7.62mm NATO/.308 Winchester caliber). The USA used an M14 service rifle, called the XM21 weapon's system; "X" stood for experimental. USA sniper's were issued these "specially hand fitted" M14s along with 5 brand new (still in their sealed aluminum bag) steel magazines, and a new Redfield adjustable ranging 3 X 9 power rifle scope. A well used and nearly worn out starlight scope with mount was also issued. Those XM-21's used MATCH grade ammunition; the word "Match" was engraved upon the head of each shell, and the cardboard boxes of 20 rds was white with red lettering saying MATCH on them. Easy to identify, considering all other small arms ammo in the military came in standard brown cardboard boxes with black lettering. Match ammo was in 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester). For the USA, primarily infantry battalions were authorized snipers, 8 men per battalion (assigned to HHC/Headquarters and Headquarters Company), making four teams. During special operations, such as Lam Son 719 in 1971; Armor and Cavalry squadrons were authorized sniper sections within their headquarters companies. Their primary mission was protecting the battalion's/squadron's tanks and ACAVs by terminating NVA RPG & Sapper teams.

Answer 2

The Vietnam War was a transitioning phase for US Military snipers; meaning that military snipers, for the first time in US history, were becoming a permanent part of the US military system...instead of being de-activated each time a war ended. With this "transitioning phase" in mind, the US Army was not totally interested sniper rifles, and adapted the standard issue M14 US service rifle as their official sniper rifle...and re-designated it as the XM21 weapons system (Experimental Model 21 sniper rifle). It fired the same cartridge, the 7.62mm NATO round, only...as with the rifle itself, it was "tuned up" abit, had the word "Match" stamped onto the head (bottom) of the .308's brass cartridge case. The USMC used civilian bolt action hunting rifles from both Winchester and Remington manufacturing companies; the Marines ALWAYS took their riflemanship seriously, and indeed, it was the USMC that established America's first "permanent" military sniper school in 1969. As with the XM21 sniper rifle, the US Army was slow to adapt accurate sniper rifles and created their first sniper school YEARS later, long after the USMC had established their school.
Well, many. But an example is the m14.

Answer 3

Springfield M1903A3, Winchester Model 70, Remington M40 (modified Remington 700), XM21 (modified M14).