MovieChat Forums > Sniper (1993) Discussion > I thought snipers always went for the he...

I thought snipers always went for the head?

posted 20 years ago by ng_juan_hann
52 replies | jump to latest

From what I've read (Andy McNab, Eric Haney, Tom Clancy) I thought snipers always tried to go for the head where possible, especially if the target was stationary. A headshot provides a certain kill, whereas with a bodyshot, while easier, a kill is not guaranteed. Now I realise that a headshot may be impossible to achieve over a certain distance, but in the movie, especially in the hacienda scene and where Zane was tasked to take out an enemy in the river, the targets were near enough, and more importantly, they were relatively stationary. Is it because of the gruesome nature of the headshot? Maybe they didn't have the technology to show it? Or just a plain mistake?

[–] flyer333555 17 years ago

Ghilie-

Most posters in IMDB are not professionals like you. I would say that roughly half of them are kids or teenagers, or react like them. These think their electronic games or air rifles "experience" qualify them as experts, and will argue they are right. Others are like me, that find the info interesting although refrain from posting when someone appears to be an expert with technical information. These sometimes want an opinion or have heard or question something.

[–] USeless-Bob 17 years ago

Technically, the best shot is through the back of the head into the Medulla Oblongata, which stops all bodily functions instantly. However, this shot is very difficult, and even if the shot is pulled off perfectly, it is not guaranteed because each brain is a little different. They go center mass there is so much vital crap in there that more likely than not you'll hit something worthwhile.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] yodoc-2 17 years ago

What a sniper aims for is normally dictated by his range from the target, what the target is doing at the time, and whether or not there is a non-target person close to the target, either shielding the target or in some way interfering from placing the round in the most desirable location on the target. The sniper will know the minute-of-angle accuracy of his rifle, and if he is within range to place the round inside of the expected circle of impact, he will assume that he will be able to achieve a one-shot kill -- which is always the goal. Having to fire more than once could disclose his position, or, more importantly, cause movement of the target which prohibits the taking of a follow-up shot.

If target is in the clear, a shot within the central thoracic area (with the intent of striking the heart) is the clearly preferable choice. Even if the heart is not hit, there will be penetration of one of the lungs, and since high-velocity bullets tend to "tumble" once they penetrate the human body, they will also cause massive hydrodynamic shock to surrounding tissues which can burst main arteries. A high-velocity round anywhere in the upper thorax will nearly always be fatal in very short order, if not instantly.

Head shots are way more problematic. The head tends to make sudden and rapid movements, and the skull is actually strong enough to deflect even a high velocity bullet if struck at an angle. Of course, any hit would cause immediate loss of consciousness, but involuntary motor responses could cause a trigger to be pulled on a pistol held to a hostages head, for instance, so head shots are usually not attempted unless the range is relatively short (< 200 m.). This makes the minute-of-angle strike zone fall well within the diameter of the typical adult human skull, and thus, assures maximum shock to the brain, spinal cord, and blood vessels. Immediate loss of voluntary and involuntary motor control would result, assuming the impact velocity of the round was sufficient.

When you hear of snipers making one-shot kills from ranges in excess of 800 meters, these are always shots aimed at the upper thorax. Head shots are rare and almost never attempted.

BTW I am a military trained certified expert marksman, rifle.

[–] estcst-3 17 years ago

There is an inaccuracy to every rifle that, at distance, even if the target is perfectly still provides a chance that a headshot would be a miss. The center mass of a human allows for this far better as the area in which a bullet can land and still have a high chance for a kill is much larger.