A tribute to Carlos Hathcock: Examining the infamous "shot through a scope" shot...

[ThirdWatcher]

... and then watching Mythbusters all but call this humble warrior a liar while trying to confirm or deny this "shot through a scope" kill...

I'm a Mythbusters fan, but I figured they just got it wrong in that episode. While I never had the honor of meeting GySgt. Hathcock, I have read his book a few times over the years and no way in hell do I believe he so much as embellished a single word in it.

[kaiservontexas]

Mythbusters LOL bunch of crap

My friend with a chemistry degree watches that show just to debunk it.

As for the Win. Pre-64 Model 70

Well I own one.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=15751&page=6

Yep .30-06

Only difference is in the scope.

And I have no doubt he popped that enemy in the eye through the scope. Rifle is sub-MOA feed the right ammo.

[Carnut]

I was blown away the first time I saw reports of shooting a NVA sniper through the scope. More recently on the History channel I saw another show about Carlos Hathcock where they duplicated the feat of shooting through a scope. The episode also told the story of Carlos Hathcock shooting a NVA general. It essentially was a suicide mission, but Hathcock got away!. I would like to have met him but never did. I understand he was a trainer for the Virginia Beach Police. I do know a retired Officer who worked with Hathcock.

[justin_247]

After being wildly curious about this topic, and then watching Mythbusters all but call this humble warrior a liar while trying to confirm or deny this "shot through a scope" kill,

Mythbusters was testing the Saving Private Ryan scene, I thought...

[Artos]

Any benchrest shooter will tell you mythbusters got it wrong...that ding-dong just didn't shoot straight on that episode.


Anyway, the amazing part of Hathcock's book (i got a signed copy ) was the patience and distance he traveled in that open field, soiling himself to get in range, make the shot and run like hell for cover.

as a deer hunter, the being still & motionless part for so long would probably have kept me from ever being a sniper if i wanted to...way to wired.

[The_Count]

I always thought that the mythbusters major error was the range. I may be totally of base, but one would think that a bullet shot from 100-150 yards would have a better chance of making it through the optic. At such a close range the energy dump upon impact would shatter the glass, and the projectile (or at lease cause some major deflection). For example, when shooting a .223/5.56 in water the projectile barely makes it into the water before denigrating whereas a 45APC could travel much further.

In any event my first thoughts when seeing your video were about our potential enemies. Who would want to invade a country who's citizens take these types of shots for recreation.

TC

[5cary]

This thread is full of win. Nice Job.

[Abraxas]

Great post, thanks for sharing.

[Evil1969SS>LS6]

Never personally met him but, my dad's best friend was good pals Carlos for many years....I remember when I was younger, he always talked about him, until later realizing who he actually was. He's deff. a legend

[tylerw02]

I did the same thing a few years ago with my 6.5-284. I had a cheap scope that went tits-up. The particular scope I used may have been a bit beefier, but the bullet came out of the erector tube right past the turret housing and exited the main tube right before the eye-piece. Would have been a head shot if somebody were behind the rifle. I wanted to try it two or three times, but didn't feel like shooting up more scopes.