A sniper bullet typically travels at speeds ranging from about 800 meters per second (m/s) to over 1,000 m/s (approximately 2,600 to 3,300 feet per second). The exact speed depends on the sniper rifle and ammunition used, but many high-powered sniper rounds leave the muzzle at speeds around 2,800 to 3,200 feet per second (850 to 975 m/s), with some capable of even higher velocities.
Key points:
- Typical sniper rifle bullets are supersonic, traveling faster than the speed of sound (~340 m/s).
- For example, the 7.62×51mm sniper rifle bullet can travel around 800 m/s.
- Larger caliber sniper rounds, like the .50 BMG, can reach speeds around 2,800 to 3,000 feet per second (850 to 910 m/s).
- Bullet speed decreases over distance due to air resistance.
This velocity allows sniper bullets to reach long distances quickly, often hitting targets before the sound of the shot is heard nearby.
