Even At 85 Years Old, This Army Sniper's Still Got It!

TrainTrac · Mar 9, 2011

He can still hit center mass @300 yards with his 1903 A4, and also scores 3 head shots at 1000 yards with a modern sniper rifle!:fire:

85-year-old U.S. Army sniper veteran proves he hasn't lost his skills as he picks off a target at 1,000 yards

By Simon Neville

Last updated at 10:03 PM on 5th March 2011

He may be 85 years old, but when Army sniper veteran Ted Gundy was given the chance to show off the skills he used in World War Two, he proved he could still keep up with the very best.

That's because he was invited to try out the Army's latest technology in a challenge to hit a target a whopping 1,000 yards away.

But the former member of the Missouri honor guard, stepped up to the challenge with an extremely level head.

Hero: 86-year-old veteran sniper Ted Gundy served with the Missouri honor guards in World War Two and fought at the Battle of the Bulge

Replica: He is given an exact copy of the 1903 A4 rifle he used in the war, having not handled one since 1944

Perfect hit: The veteran manages a bulls-eye with the old rifle from 300 yards

It was then that the officers taught him how the Army's custom made Remington 700 works and explained how a 1,000 yard shot can be achieved.

It involves a second sniper, called a spotter, judging the wind direction and any other conditions that could affect the bullets trajectory.

Mr Gundy, who lives in Memphis, Missouri, said before the shot: I couldn't even dream in a thousand years how you would even see the target, yet alone hit it.

He tried the modern equivalent and manages three head shots less than five inches apart

Mr Gundy is presented with the 1903 A4 replica as a souvenir of his day which he said was 'the nicest thing to ever happen in my life'

"I hope that I can hit the target but if I was betting money I'd bet nine to one that I don't. That's a long, long way."

But his modesty was greater than his skills and he managed with ease to pick off the target, with three impressive head shots all within five inches of each other.

He said afterwords: I couldn't believe I could have hit anything that far away.

SFC Robby Johnson, who taught Mr Gundy how to use the new equipment said: To meet someone that was actually there and was a sniper back then, its just a great honor.

Mr Gundy, holding back the tears, said the experience was one of the nicest things to ever happen in my life.

Kevin Lang · Mar 9, 2011

Pretty impressive, though your quoted article says that the man is 5 years old. Kids these days are more and more advanced. I was impressed by <a href="http://www.signsdirect.com/images/Yellow-Warning-Signs/Yellow-Caution-Slow-Children-Playing-20-MPH-Warning-Sign.gif">those kids who can run 20 mph</a>, but this 5 year old takes the cake :grin:

5-year-old U.S. Army sniper veteran proves he hasn't lost his skills as he picks off a target at 1,000 yards

By Simon Neville

Last updated at 10:03 PM on 5th March 2011

Though this sheds doubt on the sniper in Saving Private Ryan whom stated that he could snipe Hitler were he within a mile of him with a clear line of sight. 300 yards ain't a mile, and that's apparently the expected best of a WW2 sniper.

So, what hoops will the man have to go through to keep such a weapon in the era of rampant gun-control?:angry:

TrainTrac · Mar 9, 2011

@KL: Fixed it, Mr. Smarty-Pants!:cheeky:

Thomas Rogers · Mar 9, 2011

Sad to see these guys aging, great to see this guy still has it.

Last week we lost the last, living WWI vet. In our lifetime (most of us) we will see the same milestone come for the WWII vets.

Truly a great generation...

Or, as Tom Brokaw calls it, the Greatest Generation.

TJR