.308-caliber precision rifles are scoped small arms chambered in .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm NATO, or closely related .30-caliber service cartridges, depending on the model and markings. The class spans law-enforcement, military, sporting, and long-range precision roles. In the 2022 Haitian Gang Conflict entry, the sourcing supports illicit trafficking of .308 rifles into Haiti and gang-linked demand for higher-powered rifles, but it does not identify a specific model or prove a documented firing incident.
UNODC-linked reporting citing HSI identifies .308 rifles among increasingly sophisticated weapons recovered in Florida-to-Haiti trafficking flows and destined for Haitian ports during the 2021-2022 surge. The same reporting ties higher-powered rifle demand and arms movement to Haitian gangs, but public sources do not identify a specific .308 model or verify a .308 firing incident.
This entry is a rifle-class page, so model-specific details are representative anchors rather than a single standard configuration. Ruger documents a commercial .308 Win Precision Rifle model, U.S. Air Force background documents the M24 Sniper Weapon System as a 7.62x51mm NATO rifle, and Marine Corps sources document M40-series .308/7.62mm NATO sniper rifles.
Ruger Precision Rifle model 18104: .308 Win, 20-inch barrel, folding adjustable stock, and 10-round capacity.
Sources: Ruger Precision Rifle Model 18104; Introducing the Ruger Precision Rifle.
M24 sniper rifle: Remington 700-based 7.62x51mm NATO Sniper Weapon System with a cited 800-meter effective range.
Source: The M24 Sniper Weapon System.
M40A5 and M40A6: Marine Corps bolt-action sniper rifles in the .308/7.62mm NATO class, with M40A6 fielding tied to improved ergonomics and transportability.
Sources: M40 Guides Snipers to Target; Riflemen Prepare for Scout Sniper Basic Course; Marine Corps Sniper Caliber Study.
This rifle class includes weapons documented in .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO chamberings. Cartridge markings and firearm guidance still control safe ammunition use.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Centerfire rifle cartridge | Ruger lists model 18104 in 308 Win, showing that this rifle class is built to fire .308 Winchester ammunition. Sources: Ruger Precision Rifle Model 18104 |
 | NATO standard rifle cartridge | Minot Air Force Base describes the M24 sniper weapon system as a 7.62x51mm NATO precision rifle, which is direct evidence that this rifle class is fired with 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. Sources: The M24 Sniper Weapon System |
Marine Corps reporting describes the M40 as a Remington 700-based bolt-action rifle firing .308-caliber rounds and says the weapon has been in Marine Corps use since 1966.
Sources: M40 Guides Snipers to Target
Ruger's launch notice listed the Precision Rifle in .308 Win with a 20-inch barrel, 1:10 twist, and 9.7-pound representative launch weight.
Sources: Introducing the Ruger Precision Rifle
Marine Corps Systems Command said the M40A6 used 7.62mm NATO and was being fielded to Marine snipers as a more transportable and ergonomic successor.
Sources: Marine Corps Sniper Caliber Study
AP coverage of the UNODC assessment reported .308 rifles among recovered weapons destined for Haitian ports during the 2021-2022 trafficking surge.
Sources: UN Report: Modern Weapons Being Smuggled to Haiti from US
