The Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers 2nd Edition

by John L. Plaster (Author)

327 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-1581604948

ISBN-10: 1581604947

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When John Plaster's The Ultimate Sniper was released in 1993, it was hailed as an instant classic in the sniping community, influencing an entire generation of military and police marksmen around the world. Now this revolutionary book has been completely updated and expanded for the 21st century! Through revised text, new photos, specialized illustrations, updated charts and additional information sidebars, The Ultimate Sniper once again thoroughly details the three great skill areas of sniping: marksmanship, fieldcraft and tactics. Just some of the material in this new edition includes: * Cutting-edge sniper rifles, scopes, ammunition and equipment, everything purpose-designed or adapted specifically for military and police sniping. * The latest tactics and techniques from the frontlines of the War on Terror, including the mountains, deserts and urban areas of the Middle East and Central Asia. * Analysis of evolving technologies, including lasers, night vision, FLIR and ballistics programs. * Detailed ballistics and trajectory data for sniper ammunition. * An all-new chapter on countersniping lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan * An up-to-date listing of U.S.-based sniper training programs. Find out why professional snipers, sharpshooters and long-range riflemen consider The Ultimate Sniper to be the bible of their craft. A veteran of the top-secret Special Forces covert operations unit MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War, Maj. John L. Plaster combined what he learned of stealth, stalking and camouflage with his postwar experiences as a competitive shooter and firearms instructor to write The Ultimate Sniper. Over 60 pages of the original manual have been replaced with updated, modern information. An additional 120 NEW PAGES have been added with the above information!

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John L. Plaster served three tours in the top-secret unconventional warfare group, Studies and Observations Group, in Vietnam. As a long-range reconnaissance leader, he led tiny intelligence-gathering teams behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia before leaving SOG in late 1971. He was decorated for heroism four times and retired from the U.S. Army as a major.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Press; 2nd edition (January 1, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 584 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1581604947
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1581604948
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.64 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.98 x 1.57 x 8.54 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #456,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #347 in Shooting in Hunting
- #1,618 in Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
327 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		83%
4 star		11%
3 star		2%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Stephen Bean

Not helpful to the advanced shooter; light reading.

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016

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This is too poorly organized to be an advanced shooting manual. Every chapter I've read so far segues in and out of war stories and rifle advertisements. (Paraphrased) "The only time I ever shot someone with a suppressed weapon was in Vietnam after Kissinger's secret bombing raid. People thought it was a bad idea, but I thought it was fabulous"

His rifle descriptions read like advertisements and I would not be surprised if he's receiving endorsements. (Paraphrased) "This new Savage trigger will force competitors to redesign their rifles. I'm surprised this hasn't taken off yet." and "This muzzle break can be adjusted to tune barrel harmonics. I'm surprised these haven't taken off yet, they're fantastic."

Another pattern in my cherry-picked, paraphrased examples above is that Plaster uses soft, fluffy language. There are no negative rifle reviews. There is no criticism. Whatever information exists here is buried between so much BS, I'm afraid I'd let my guard down and start taking it at face value if I tried to get through the whole thing in a short period of time.

I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in snipers and how they work, especially if you like stories as to why they might think that way. However, unless you're early in your life and shooting career, take most of what he says with a grain of salt.

Because this is the internet and people don't like critical reviews - No, I don't doubt his skill and I respect his service. I don't think his book is what it's advertised to be. He'd have been better off writing a memoir and a separate manual.

28 people found this helpful

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William A. Pitts

A little outdated, but still very informative and in the day was considered the "bible" of the sniper craft! Still worth having

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2017

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Great book and very informative. Had some issues with the seller, but they made it right. Ended up getting this copy when I assumed it was the second edition. Was not happy. Kept it anyway even though the condition was disappointing but now have two copies. Ended up buying the second edition and am in the process of reading it. Major Plaster does a fine job of covering the sniper craft and does it in spades! I am sure the second edition is more up to date but if you can get the first edition at a good price, by all means do it because it is worth it.

2 people found this helpful

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Smurf

The best of the breed

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013

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I didn't necessarily buy this book so I could become a shake-and-bake sniper. I'm in my fifties and my eyes aren't what they used to be nor do I have the time and money to buy all the latest in sniper gimcrackery. No, I bought this book in order to sharpen my marksmanship, fieldcraft, and tactical skills while using the commonly available iron-sighted rifles I currently have as well as to further my understanding of countersniper techniques. I also wanted to see what the youngest generation of military snipers in our military have in the way of gear and training.

John Plaster's writing style is simple and too the point; you feel like you have an old friend walking you through every concept on every page. There are zillions of those neat little tips that leave you thinking, "Wow, why haven't I thought of that?"

We have the freedom we have today because we were a nation of marksmen over 200 years ago.

If you have any interest in marksmanship or teaching markshmanship to your children, this is a book that should be in your reference library.

One person found this helpful

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R. Peters

On my second reading

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2014

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This book is entertaining to study and commit some parts to memory. I have a love of learning and this is my first exposure to sniper fieldcraft and detection. I have been a bench rest shooter for 30 years and the marksmanship descriptions are great! I can relate to some of the fieldcraft based on bow hunting and long range hunting experiences.

I am a little frustrated about two subjects. I can not find the 'mesh' camo discussed in the book as expedient for police snipers. I also would like a discussion of group sizes obtained with various rests and positions, particularly the camera tripods now deployed in the field. Being an experimentalist, I prefer data to theory.

3 people found this helpful

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dillon randolph rowley

Its ok, hard to stay interested

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021

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This book is huge. Tons of info. It seems a little dated by the pictures. It can be over whelming. After 6 years I still struggle to maintain interest when I pick it up. Im sure there is good info in the book but there are more interesting ways to research this subject.

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Mac

Disappointed in the quality of this used book

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2021

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I have had a lot of great quality used books purchased through Amazon. Unfortunately, this book was not one of them. The book won’t even lay flat. It was rebound incorrectly and it seems no attention to the final product was paid. I was very disappointed in this purchase. Even buying this book used the price was still high so I expected better than what I received.

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Dave Glispy

An Excellent Read.

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2013

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When I got this book, I will have to say it was as large as a phone book but it is a great read. When I started reading it I found I could not put it down. Though I haven't finished reading it yet I was able to try some of the shooting techniques and tightened up my groups. I also tested some of the ammo mentioned in this voluminous book and found it to be spot on. I don't care what level of shooting you have in mind, this book is one you should have in your collection. I thought the book to be a bit expensive but I discovered it was well worth it. I don't plan on being a sniper but I do like dropping my shots where I want them at extended ranges. If you don't buy this book you will not know what you are missing. Do it, you will be glad you did.

2 people found this helpful

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jose from the bay (area that is)

great book for novice/professional shooters.

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2012

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i bought this book due to all the reviews on here and all I can say is it was money well spent. being ex-Army, I never had any experience with long distance shooting but recently bought a rifle and wanted to learn/improve my skills. I figured buy a good book and see how it goes but DAMN, I never thought a book would this informative and just a pleasure to read. I showed it to a buddy of mine who is an avid hunter and he was so impressed he wants to get his own copy. I've only read the first two chapters so far and have skimmed through some of the others and this book is packed with info/advice i never would have thought of. I can tell already I will refer back to this book often. great reading for novice or pro.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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MICHAEL JAY

More for the military than civilians but lots of good information which would be useful for the target shooter ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

The classic work. More for the military than civilians but lots of good information which would be useful for the target shooter or hunter.

One person found this helpful

David A.

Excellent Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2014

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Having been a Police Rifleman I can say that this is one of the best books I have read on the subject of sniping.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the Police or Military services who maybe considering becoming a Police rifleman or sniper in the armed forces.
A well written book by someone who knows his subject very well.

One person found this helpful

Ink drop

Great

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

Excellent, informative and easy to ready, goes into detail but never gets boring.

One person found this helpful

cnda stark

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on February 5, 2018

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five hundred and seventy three pages of sniper awsomeness

SniperMax

La sacra Bibbia del settore.

Reviewed in Italy on June 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

Libro veramente completo ed esauriente per i professionisti del settore. Utile dalla prima all'ultima pagina. Consigliatissimo per chi inizia e per chi è esperto del mestiere.

One person found this helpful

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