Marines Pick Nightforce ATACR Scope for the Mk13 Mod 7 Rifle

marines Nightforce ATACR mk13 mod 7 rifle nightforce atacr scope — The Mk13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle is on display during training aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia in March. Marine Corps Systems Command will field the Mk13 in late 2018 and throughout 2019 to increase the lethality and combat effectiveness of scout snipers on the battlefield.

marines mk13 mod 7 rifle holding — Sgt. Randy Robles, Quantico Scout Sniper School instructor and Marine Corps Systems Command liaison, explains the features of the Mk13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle during training aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. MCSC will field the Mk13 in late 2018 and throughout 2019 to increase the lethality and combat effectiveness of scout snipers on the battlefield.

marines mk13 mod 7 rifle shooting — Sgt. Randy Robles, Quantico Scout Sniper School instructor and Marine Corps Systems Command liaison, demonstrates the Mk13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle during training aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. MCSC will field the Mk13 in late 2018 and throughout 2019 to increase the lethality and combat effectiveness of scout snipers on the battlefield.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Marine Corps announced it would replace its aging, Vietnam-era M40 7.62×51mm NATO sniper rifle with a new setup called the Mk13 Mod 7. Now it’s come to light that the Marines have selected the Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 F1 riflescope to ride atop that rifle.

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Mk13 Mod 7 Details

The Mk13 Mod 7 is a bolt-action rifle that features a long-action receiver; stainless steel barrel; and extended rail for a mounted scope and night vision optic. The rifle boosts scout snipers’ range by around 300 meters and is chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, a heavier grain projectile with faster muzzle velocity.

Tod Litt, Nightforce’s business development manager, said in a statement that the ATACR 5-25×56 F1 is a perfect match for the new system.

“The increased capability of the newly issued Mk13 Mod 7 sniper rifle requires a scope that is as rugged, reliable, repeatable, and dependable as the United States Marines tasked with using it,” Litt said. “The Nightforce MIL-SPEC ATACR 5-25×56 F1 was chosen as the day scope to take full advantage of the rifle systems’ competencies.”

Marines and the Nightforce ATACR

Litt says the scope features a Horus TReMoR3 reticle with an integrated milliradian based grid. The grid incorporates time-of-flight wind dots which are calibrated to the rifle and ammunition. These help the user make fast wind calls by judging direction and wind speed in miles per hour. The reticle also uses Accuracy 1st’s speed shooting formula, making it easier to engage moving targets and reducing engagement times.

“The new day optic allows for positive identification of enemies at greater distances, and it has a grid-style reticle that allows for rapid reengagement without having to dial adjustments or ‘hold’ without a reference point,” said Sgt. Randy Robles, Quantico Scout Sniper School instructor and MCSC liaison. “With this type of weapon in the fleet, we will increase our lethality and be able to conceal our location because we are creating a buffer between us and the enemy.”

Rifle Fielding

The Mk13 rifle with the Nightforce optic is scheduled to be fielded in late 2018 and throughout 2019. Units receiving the rifle include various infantry and reconnaissance battalions, as well as scout sniper schools. The rifle is the standard sniper rifle of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).