Special Ops Sniper Rates 11 More Sniper Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

How Real Is It? | Podcast

26 Sept 202321:35

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn this video script, former US Army Ranger Sniper Nicholas Irving, known as the 'Reaper,' critiques sniper scenes from various films and TV shows. He assesses the realism of depicted tactics, equipment, and shooting scenarios, providing expert insights into the art of sniping. From evaluating shooting positions and the use of suppressors to analyzing bullet trajectories and the importance of target detection, Irving offers a unique perspective on the accuracy and believability of cinematic portrayals of snipers.

Takeaways

🎯 Nicholas Irving, known as the 'Reaper,' is a former US Army Ranger Sniper with 33 confirmed kills in Afghanistan.
🔍 Irving critiques sniper scenes from TV and film for their realism, considering factors like shooting positions, weapon accuracy, and shot execution.
🚫 He emphasizes the importance of a 'clean shot' in military sniper training, meaning not hitting unintended targets.
🚂 Irving notes the difficulty of shooting moving targets, especially when they are approaching versus moving side to side.
🌬 He mentions the calming effect of taking a deep breath before taking a shot, which is crucial for precision.
🔧 Irving suggests better body alignment and positioning for stability against the recoil of the rifle when shooting.
🏹 He points out that closer targets are often preferred by snipers for higher accuracy and certainty of hitting the target.
🚫 Irving criticizes unrealistic portrayals of sniper tactics, such as shooting from a moving car or expecting a car to flip from a bullet impact.
🎼 The concept of a sniper rifle concealed as a musical instrument, like a flute, is deemed implausible by Irving due to the structural requirements for accuracy.
🌲 Irving discusses the use of ghillie suits for camouflage and the importance of integrating natural vegetation for better concealment.
🔭 He explains the role of a sniper's spotter, who uses a spotting scope for target detection and relays information to the sniper.

Q & A

Who is Nicholas Irving, and what is his significance in the video?
-Nicholas Irving is a former US Army Ranger Special Operations Sniper, also known as the 'Reaper' for his 33 confirmed kills in Afghanistan. In the video, he provides expert analysis on the realism of sniper scenes in TV and film.
What is the importance of the Olympic Arms k23b in the video?
-The Olympic Arms k23b is a weapon mentioned in the video that Irving criticizes for being inaccurate beyond 50 meters, suggesting it is unsuitable for the long-range shots depicted in the scenes he's analyzing.
What is a 'clean shot' in military terminology as described by Irving?
-A 'clean shot' in military terminology means a shot that will not wound, injure, or kill unintended targets. Irving explains that a shot is not clean if there is a risk of collateral damage.
Why does Irving say taking a shot while the target is moving towards the sniper is easier?
-Irving explains that taking a shot while the target is moving towards the sniper is easier because it simplifies the mathematics of the shot. It involves aiming above or below the target rather than in front, allowing for the target's movement to meet the bullet.
What is the significance of the sniper's position in the video?
-The sniper's position is crucial for concealment, accuracy, and safety. Irving evaluates various positions depicted in the scenes, noting the advantages and disadvantages of each, such as the use of a small room or a loophole for better concealment.
Why does Irving rate the scene with the sniper rifle concealed as a flute as unlikely?
-Irving rates the flute-concealed sniper rifle scene as unlikely because of the technical differences between a sniper rifle and a flute, including the importance of the barrel design for accuracy, which a flute would not accommodate.
What is the concept of 'getting into the bubble' as described by Irving?
-The concept of 'getting into the bubble' refers to a state of intense focus where a sniper can shut out the chaos of the battlefield and concentrate solely on the shot. This is a mental state that allows for high-stress, high-accuracy shooting.
How does Irving describe the realistic portrayal of a sniper's role in the video?
-Irving describes the realistic portrayal of a sniper's role as involving more observation and information relaying than actual shooting. He emphasizes that a sniper's job is about 80 to 90% observation, with shooting being a rare occurrence.
What is the importance of bullet trajectory in sniping as explained by Irving?
-Bullet trajectory is important because bullets travel in an arc, not a straight line. Snipers must account for this by aiming higher to allow the bullet to reach its apex and then fall towards the target, especially at longer distances.
Why does Irving criticize the use of a ghillie suit without additional natural vegetation?
-Irving criticizes the use of a ghillie suit without additional natural vegetation because it does not provide effective camouflage. A ghillie suit should be integrated with the natural surroundings to mimic brush or foliage, rather than standing out as just a pile of ghillie suit material.
What is the significance of target detection in sniping as shown in the video?
-Target detection is significant in sniping as it involves identifying threats and finding the smallest details out of place. This skill is crucial for locating and identifying targets in complex environments, as demonstrated in the video.

Outlines

00:00

🎯 Realism in Sniper Scenes: A Veteran's Perspective

Nicholas Irving, a former US Army Ranger Special Operations Sniper, critiques the realism of sniper scenes from TV and film. He discusses various aspects such as shooting positions, weapon accuracy, and the importance of a clean shot. Irving emphasizes the difference between on-screen depictions and real-life sniper tactics, including the preference for closer shots over long-range ones and the proper way to handle a sniper rifle for accuracy and recoil management.

05:01

🌆 Sniper Tactics and Camouflage Techniques

The paragraph delves into the tactics used by snipers, such as shooting through loopholes and the use of ghillie suits for camouflage. Irving explains the importance of a spotter in a sniper team and the challenges of shooting lights out. He also touches on the reality of spending long periods in observation and the rarity of taking a shot, highlighting the role of relaying information rather than just shooting.

10:04

🌙 Nighttime Sniping and Bolt Action Rifles

This section focuses on the difficulties of sniping at nighttime without night vision equipment. Irving discusses the challenges of shooting in low-light conditions and the preference for semi-automatic rifles over bolt-action ones due to their reliability in dusty environments. He also rates the realism of a scene where a sniper takes a shot at night, considering the visibility and the mechanics of bolt-action rifles.

15:05

🏜️ Desert Conditions and Sniper Countermeasures

Irving shares his experience as a tech advisor on a film set in a desert, discussing the harsh conditions and the difficulty of aiming in a 'brown out' caused by dust storms. He critiques the sound effects used for sniper rifles in movies, explaining the difference between on-screen portrayals and the actual loud reports of real sniper rifles. Irving also talks about countermeasures snipers use when their position is compromised, such as setting up booby traps.

20:06

🚁 Helicopter Sniper Scenes and Bullet Trajectory

The paragraph critiques a scene involving a sniper shooting at a helicopter, explaining the unpredictability of bullet trajectory when hitting curved surfaces like glass. Irving also discusses shooting from under a car, a common tactic in urban environments, and the importance of hand placement on a rifle. He rates the realism of the scene and provides his own insights on how he would have handled the shot differently.

🔭 Target Detection and Sniper Observation Skills

In this paragraph, Irving praises the accurate depiction of target detection using a spotting scope in a movie. He explains how snipers use such tools to identify threats and find details out of place. The critique also covers the proper technique for shooting through a hole in a wall without giving away one's position and the importance of observation in a sniper's role.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sniper

A sniper is a highly trained marksman who operates alone or with a team to engage targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the target's detection capabilities. In the video, Nicholas Irving, a former US Army Ranger Special Operations Sniper, critiques the realism of sniper scenes in various films and TV shows. The term is central to the video's theme, as it underpins the discussion on the accuracy and tactics of sniping as depicted in media.

💡Clean Shot

A clean shot in sniping refers to a shot that hits the intended target without causing unintended harm or injury. In the video, Irving discusses scenes where characters take shots that, in reality, would not be considered clean due to the risk of collateral damage. This concept is important as it highlights the precision and responsibility required in real-life sniping.

💡Olympic Arms K23B

The Olympic Arms K23B is a specific model of a sniper rifle. In the script, Irving identifies this weapon and comments on its accuracy, stating that it is suitable for shorter ranges up to 50 meters. This example from the video illustrates the importance of selecting the appropriate weapon for the required task, which is a key aspect of sniping.

💡Recoil

Recoil is the backward movement of a gun when it is discharged. In the video, Irving mentions proper body alignment and weight distribution to manage recoil effectively. Recoil management is crucial for maintaining accuracy and stability during sniping.

💡Ghillie Suit

A ghillie suit is a type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble heavy foliage or brush, used by snipers to blend into their environment. In the video, Irving explains the importance of not only wearing a ghillie suit but also incorporating natural vegetation to enhance camouflage. This concept is integral to the stealth aspect of sniping.

💡Spotter

A spotter is a member of a sniper team who assists the sniper by observing the target area and providing information on windage, elevation, and other factors that may affect the shot. In the video, Irving describes the role of a spotter and how they use a spotting scope, emphasizing the teamwork involved in successful sniping.

💡Suppressed Sniper Rifle

A suppressed sniper rifle is one that has a silencer attached to reduce the noise of the shot. In the video, Irving discusses the sound a suppressed rifle makes and clarifies that even suppressed, sniper rifles are not completely silent, which is a common misconception depicted in movies.

💡Bullet Trajectory

Bullet trajectory refers to the path a bullet follows as it travels from the gun to the target. In the video, Irving explains that bullets do not travel in a straight line but rather in an arc, which is a critical concept for snipers to understand in order to make accurate long-range shots.

💡Target Detection

Target detection is the process of identifying and locating targets in a sniper's field of view. In the video, Irving praises the use of target detection in a scene from the movie 'Lone Survivor,' noting its realism and the importance of attention to detail in identifying threats.

💡Night Vision

Night vision refers to the use of technology to see in low-light conditions or complete darkness. In the script, Irving comments on a scene where a sniper takes a shot at night without night vision equipment, which would be extremely challenging due to limited visibility.

💡Booby Traps

Booby traps are concealed devices or pitfalls designed to cause harm to anyone who triggers them. In the video, Irving mentions the use of booby traps as countermeasures to deter people from discovering a sniper's hide. This concept is relevant to the video's theme as it shows the defensive tactics used by snipers.

Highlights

Nicholas Irving, a former US Army Ranger Special Operations Sniper, known as the 'Reaper', evaluates the realism of sniper scenes in TV and film.

Irving critiques a scene for unrealistic shooting technique, lacking support and accuracy at long range.

He points out the inaccuracy of a weapon being used, suggesting it's not suitable for the depicted long-range shot.

Irving explains the concept of a 'clean shot' in military terms, emphasizing the importance of not harming unintended targets.

He rates a scene's sniper tactics poorly, noting the unrealistic movement of a train and the sniper's positioning.

Irving commends a sniper for waiting for a vehicle to get closer, explaining the benefits of shorter range shots.

He criticizes a scene where a car flips from a sniper's bullet, stating it's highly unrealistic.

Irving discusses the importance of a sniper rifle's barrel and the inaccuracies of a disguised sniper rifle.

He evaluates a female sniper's position and tactics, noting the advantages of her shooting environment.

Irving comments on the use of suppressors in sniper rifles and the audible noise they produce.

He rates a scene of shooting lights as difficult but possible, critiquing the setup as unrealistic.

Irving explains the importance of camouflage and the role of a sniper's ghillie suit in blending with the environment.

He describes the role of a sniper's spotter and the inaccuracies in a depicted spotting scope.

Irving rates a scene for its realistic portrayal of a sniper's observation role and the rarity of taking a shot.

He critiques a sniper's position and the lack of sense in the reticles shown in a scope.

Irving shares personal experience from sniper school about moving after taking shots to avoid detection.

He rates a nighttime shooting scene, acknowledging the difficulty but critiquing the lack of night vision equipment.

Irving discusses the unreliability of bolt-action rifles in dusty conditions and their susceptibility to jamming.

He rates a scene of shooting from a helicopter, critiquing the unrealistic bullet trajectory and deflection off glass.

Irving praises a scene from 'Lone Survivor' for its realistic depiction of sniper engagement in a woodland environment.

Transcripts

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