From an early age, he was fond of firearms. [2] At one point he was nearly bitten by a bamboo viper, but had the presence of mind to avoid moving and giving up his position. The report concluded that the best rifle/scope combination for use by U.S. Marine snipers was the Winchester Model 70 topped with an 8X target scope made by the Unertl Co. Land later recruited Marines who had set their own records in sharpshooting; he quickly found Hathcock, who had won the Wimbledon Cup, the most prestigious prize for long-range shooting, at Camp Perry in 1965. Carlos Hathcock with his Winchester Model 70 rifle. You know it's funny how just a simple duplex reticle, like what you find in most scopes can be a real help in ranging and holding. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. Land told Hathcock to "put another round in her." Hathcock fired again and her body convulsed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. From the 1970's, illustrating the Monte Carlo style stocks used in this era. Their official role was for use in marksmanship training, but that's not where they would all end up. As I remember from reading Henderson's book many moons ago, GySgt Hathcock deployed to VietNam in the '66-69 time frame. After returning to active duty, Hathcock helped establish the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia. Editors note: Carlos Hathcock Born this day, May 20, 1942. . STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. These later rifles were delivered to the US military already modified to be sniper rifles, including a heavy barrel and accurized stock. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and total devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Staff Sergeant Hathcock reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[29]. My Hathcock tribute. This rifle is the same as the Model 70 sniper rifle used by famed Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, in 1966. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. As long as you understood the effects wind had on the projectile and understood the ballistic drop, you could do fine. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. Gen. Van Orden, including Smiths championship-winning rifle, were shipped to Vietnam as supplemental equipment.Peter Senich gave additional details regarding the use of the Model 70 sniper rifle in Vietnam in his excellent book The One-Round War: Glass-bedded and accurized by Marine Corps Rifle Team Equipment Armorers (RTE), the Model 70s fired .30-06 M72 match ammunition having a 173-grain, boat-tailed bullet. It might be possible it's real as it came from a Marine officer who served back then, but I don't know how you could ever prove/authenticate one unless you had a document with the serial number on it. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy drew a clear line in the sand in his inaugural address. The only sound in the sweltering stillness was the buzzing of flies and gnats as. Some of the stocks were fiberglass bedded. This article, "The Military Model 70," appeared originally in the April 2011 issue of American Rifleman. Not only were we pleased to help supply them with the correct part, but we were more pleased to see this aging model 70 remain in active service, rather than face an inglorious ending as scrap metal. WEIGHT, EMPTY: 9.5 lbs. April 30 marks the 41st anniversary of the fall of Saigon (since renamed Ho Chi Minh City) and the end of American military involvement in that country. As was the case during World War II, the Marine Corps considered procuring some Winchester Model 70 rifles for sniping use in Korea, but these results were the same as before. I told a gunny, 'Bring [him] back here.' One Marine who came from just such a rifle team environment and went to Vietnam, where he used a similar Model 70 for a time was Gunnery Sgt. The most well known Marine sniper of the Vietnam war has become a modern legend. You are correct in that stainless cannot be blued as it is. This rifle is illustrated and described on pages 66 and 67 of "The One Round War" by Peter Senich. The matte black LR/T weighs 19.5 ounces and is 13.5 inches in overall length. The Model 70s began to be replaced by Remington Model 700 rifles, which were later standardized by the Marine Corps as the M40. The Model 70s suitability as a sniping rifle during the Vietnam War should be unquestioned, as the most famous and revered sniper of the war, Carlos Hathcock, used the rifle with remarkable effectiveness. Sniper historian Peter R. Senich reported: [A]ccording to firsthand accounts, a fair number of unauthorized telescope-equipped personal and Marine Corps property Model 70s brought the reality of war to Japanese combat personnel during the early stages of World War II in the South Pacific. The U.S. Army also procured a limited number of Model 70 rifles during World War II, but little is known about their subsequent utilization, and it appears they saw virtually no actual use.The end of World War II essentially spelled the end of the bolt-action as a front-line U.S. military service rifle, but its inherent accuracy was too important an attribute to totally abandon, and bolt guns enjoyed a new lease on life as sniping rifles. You can pick up a replica of the Unertl Scope online for an MSRP of around $550.00. Here are the features to watch out for. The late Marine sniper set the record in 1967 with a M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine gun.. Serial numbers were in the approximate 41,000 to 50,000 range, and the rifles had 24" sporter barrels with leaf sights, sporter-checkered stocks with steel buttplates, 1" sling swivels and leather slings.Shortly after the government acquired these rifles, Winchester reported that all .30 Government 06 Rifles are now frozen under War Production Board Limitation Orders. The company obviously wanted to sell as many of the Model 70s remaining in its inventory as possible. Hathcock remains a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. The rifle has no Marine or U.S. property marks on any component. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! With complete disregard for his own safety and while suffering excruciating pain from his burns, he bravely ran back through the flames and exploding ammunition to ensure that no Marines had been left behind in the burning vehicle. According to Winchester documents, these rifles were shipped to the Marine Corps on May 29, 1942. Nevertheless, Winchester Model 70s teamed with the Unertl scopes were superb sniping arms, certainly better than anything else in the militarys inventory at the time. "[40] The Marine Corps League (MCL) sponsors an annual program with 12 award categories, which includes the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II Award presented "to an enlisted Marine who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of marksmanship training. It was in this way the Winchester model 70 found its way into unauthorized sniper duty during the WWII, primarily in the Pacific Theater. Staff Sergeant Hathcock was riding on an Assault Amphibious Vehicle which ran over and detonated an enemy anti-tank mine, disabling the vehicle which was immediately engulfed in flames. These two Garand sniper rifles were the mainstay of the U.S. militarys sniper rifle inventory until the early 1960s when the United States became increasingly involved in the conflict in Southeast Asia.The Springfield M1903A1 rifle fitted with an 8X Unertl scope was the only bolt-action sniping rifle to see any substantive use in the hands of U.S. Marines during the Korean War. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. sniper kill. Carlos Hathcock (D. Kevin Elliott) The sun lay low in the Vietnamese sky. I had always thought that long tube scopes were originally used a long time ago and were more or less obsolete. Two months later the Marine Corps replied to Winchester in a memo which stated: Based on the Marine Corps response, the door appeared closed to the Model 70 ever seeing use by the US military during WWII. A sniper from the 1st Cavalry Division is shown in March 1951 with an M1D Garand, complete with an M81 or M82 riflescope in a Griffin & Howe mount. Hathcock is the subject of a number of books including: Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 chambered for .30-06 Springfield cartridges, with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. Both men served in Kilo Co., 3rd. Carlos Hathcock usually used a Winchester Model 70 in .30 .06. 30-06 caliber rifle equipped with an 8-power Unertl scope, was the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, but that title belongs to Mawhinney. The rifle retains nearly 95% of the original blue finish with very minor handling wear. But I guess I was wrong. I appreciate those pics, the rifle and the background. Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the . Accurate in every detail, enjoyed reading this. You are using an out of date browser. The following year Hathcock deployed to South Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division, where he was soon assigned sniper duties. The Winchester Model 70 is a classic bolt action rifle and one of the most popular and well known bolt action rifles in sports shooting history. US Army Ordnance (Retired), Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, These rifles are not considered suitable for use as sniper rifles. . It had a standard weight barrel as well as a clip guide milled into the receiver bridge so 5-round stripper clips could quickly and easily charge the magazine. Winchester Model 70 It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 . Due to the extreme injuries he suffered in Vietnam, he was in nearly constant pain, but continued to dedicate himself to teaching snipers. It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. The Model 70, which was primarily based on the Model 54, is still regarded as one of the best cars ever made. Rewards put on U.S. snipers by the PAVN typically ranged from $8 to $2,000. After his service in Vietnam, Hathcock helped establish the USMCs Scout Sniper School at Quantico, Virginia, and he continued to pass along his hard-won knowledge to both military and law enforcement marksmen in the years that followed. He did however adapt according to the conditions and once even used the M2 Browning machine gun! His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. One of the perennially popular Winchester firearms of the 20th century is the Model 70 bolt-action rifle. What type of rifle did Carlos Hathcock use? Unertl 8X telescopic sight has a charcoal blue finish and is fitted with anodized aluminum Unertl target mounts on Winchester bases. [2] Jo gave birth to a son, whom they named Carlos Norman Hathcock III. The LR/T front focal offers an elevation range of 65-MOA and a windage range of 65-MOA. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (20 May 1942 - 23 February 1999) was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. He used a M2 .50 Cal Browning machine gun mounting a telescopic sight at a range of 2,500 yd, taking down a single Vietcong guerrilla. I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. These relatively few Model 70 rifles soon became favored for their lighter weight, refined handling, and superior accuracy compared to the Springfield rifle. I had a chance to take a trip back in time recently and shot the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 using an 8-powerUnertl scope, the same set up that the famous Carlos Hathcock used while he was in Vietnam. I got this guy for $501 delivered to my door. This is the rifle that Gy. You will find the sale page with further details if you click here. For these reasons, we regularly get inquiries about building "tribute" and "replica"USMC Sniper rifles. So if you are looking to own the first two Model 70's ever made then these are of interest to . The WWII U.S.M.C. His longest confirmed kill was 2500 yards. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? The machine work, barrel channel and bedding were completed in our shop. During this depression, his wife Jo nearly left him but decided to stay. Introduced in 1936 as an improvement on the Model 54, the Model 70 soon set the standard for commercial bolt-action rifles. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. With this rifle, Carlos describes killing 7 more Viet Cong soldiers and shared the 8th VC with McAbee. He copied Hemingway's words on a piece of paper. Carlos Hathcock died on February 23, 1999, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from complications resulting from multiple sclerosis. The scope tube retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with sharp markings. *A USMC sniper uses his Unertl scope to search for enemy snipers in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, circa 1967. Thanks! His ability as a marksman was soon recognized by the instructors on the rifle range at Camp Pendleton where he was undergoing recruit training. Very nice rifle. The medium-heavy target barrel is a post war replacement. Moscow Should Prepare For Probable US Nuclear Aggression: Reports Russian Military Journal, Destroying American Monster Abrams: Pro-Russian Group Release A How-To Video, Dr. Mary E. 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A Lyman micrometer sight base is mounted on the left side of the receiver. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes. It appears that you are accessing the Winchester Website from outside North America. Click here for more information. Item Number: R30701. NRA photo. This rifle came to us as a standard sporter rifle, with a Douglas barrel blank. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. "The only difficulty I had with Carlos was that he'd stay out there too long. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting rifle.It has an iconic place in American sporting culture and has been held in high regard by shooters since it was introduced in 1936, earning the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle".