The concept behind the Barrett MRAD system is that it provides the shooter with an adaptable modular shooting platform.

I did quite a few sniper patrols in northern Afghanistan with my sniper partner in early 2002 and there were quite a few enemy engagements where the .338 Lapua would have come in handy for both of us.

We sighted a lot of Taliban and al-Qaeda members between 1,200-2,000 meters along the border of Pakistan but they were just out of reach of our .300 Winmag bolt-action rifles. I had to settle for calling in close air support air on most of these instances but what I wouldn’t give to go back in time and have the MRAD on patrol! In fact, I don’t know of any sniper that wouldn’t want a Barret MRAD in their toolbox.

A Pro, an Amateur, and the Barret MRAD at the Range

I took the rifle back to just under 800 yards and it was shooting very flat and accurate. I was punching steel silhouettes dead center and taking headshots at this distance with a two-minute wind hold on the Mil-Dot scope. I also had my female friend Sally Lyndley with me to take pictures. She has zero shooting experience and I had her on steel at 500 yards consistently and she was very comfortable using the rifle.