The U.S. Army is transforming its sniper training facilities at Fort Benning, Georgia, to accommodate its most advanced sniper weapon yet—the MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle.
Capable of striking targets nearly a mile away, the rifle significantly outperforms previous systems, demanding a total overhaul of existing training ranges to prepare soldiers for its extended capabilities.
The MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle is a bolt-action, multi-caliber platform designed to replace the Army’s legacy sniper systems: the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, and the M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle.
According to the Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, which oversees the development and acquisition of soldier systems, this next-generation rifle introduces new ballistics capabilities that stretch the boundaries of current training infrastructure.
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While earlier sniper rifles typically had an effective range of just under 1,000 meters, the MK22 is engineered to accurately engage targets between 1,500 to 1,800 meters.
That leap in range means traditional ranges are no longer sufficient for full-scale training.
“This weapon requires a whole different range design,” said Shane Duncanson, a Fort Benning range planner, in a statement released by the Army.
The Army is now investing in significant upgrades to Fort Benning’s largest firing facility, Burroughs Range.
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Completed in 1976, Burroughs was originally designed for heavy sniper training with armored targets and an 800-meter moving target rail system.
But that system, once considered cutting-edge, can no longer meet the demands of today’s long-range precision marksmanship.
The upgrades will initially enable shooters to train at distances between 800 and 1,100 meters, with further plans to expand that to 1,200 meters.
Among the changes, the Army will remove a 225-meter berm and its supporting tracks, clearing the line of sight and making room for new trackless moving targets.
According to Will Brugge, a spokesperson for Fort Benning, these changes are essential for preparing snipers to master the advanced skillset required to fully exploit the MK22’s potential.
“Firing at targets with the weapon system’s maximum effective range requires snipers to be absolutely precise with their ballistic calculations to accommodate for atmospheric conditions, primarily wind speed and temperature,” Brugge explained.
“It also requires snipers to be absolute with their range estimation skills. Further engagements also challenge the sniper’s ability to detect targets and apply target recognition skills. Snipers who do this successfully gain experience and confidence in using the weapon system.”
A major strength of the MK22 is its ability to switch between three calibers using interchangeable barrels: the standard 7.62mm NATO round, and two newer, mission-specific calibers—the .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum.
These specialized rounds significantly enhance range and armor-piercing capabilities.
With its shortest barrel, the MK22 can fire 7.62mm rounds out to 1,000 meters. The two longer barrels accommodate the .300NM and .338NM ammunition, extending its reach to 1,500 meters and beyond.
According to an Army fact sheet, the .338NM round in particular is designed for armor-piercing performance, making it ideal for modern combat scenarios.
However, the distribution of these newer rounds has seen some initial delays.
An Army marksmanship instructor told Task & Purpose that some soldiers issued the MK22 have not yet received the .300NM and .338NM ammunition.
This is in part because, unlike the long-established 7.62mm rounds, these Norma Magnum variants were developed specifically for the MK22 and required new production infrastructure.
In June 2022, the Army signed a $157 million contract with Sig Sauer to supply both .300NM and .338NM rounds. A company spokesperson told Task & Purpose that all contracted ammunition has since been delivered.
The MK22 first saw deployment with U.S. special operations forces in 2021. Since then, PEO Soldier officials have begun fielding the rifle to conventional Army units with sniper-qualified personnel, including infantry battalions.
While officials have declined to specify which units currently possess the system, distribution appears to be expanding across the force.
The Marine Corps has also embraced the MK22. In November 2024, the Corps announced that it had fully fielded the rifle to all its infantry, reconnaissance units, and training schools.
The adoption is part of a broader marksmanship overhaul, which also includes the construction of new training ranges across major Marine Corps installations.
The modernization efforts at Fort Benning reflect a broader push by the Army and other services to prepare warfighters for the demands of 21st-century precision warfare.
As weapons become more lethal and accurate, training infrastructure must evolve in tandem to ensure soldiers are not just equipped—but ready.
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