The Gun That Made Chris Kyle a Legend: Bolt-Action .338 Lapua Sniper Rifle

Chris Kyle cemented his status as the deadliest sniper in US military history thanks to his uncompromising mastery of the bolt-action .338 Lapua sniper rifle. This specialized long-range weapon, customized to Kyle‘s exact specifications, was responsible for the vast majority of his 160+ confirmed kills across four tours as a US Navy SEAL serving in Iraq.

Providing Overwatch Support with the Versatile .338 Lapua

The .338 Lapua Magnum round has an effective range of over 1,500 meters – enabling Kyle to provide lethal overwatch support for troops in combat zones across all types of terrain. After testing various high-powered rifle systems, he favored the .338 for its combination of hard-hitting punch, flat trajectory, and excellent precision.

Data shows just how dominant the .338 Lapua would become in Kyle‘s hands:

• 120+ kills with the .338 Lapua Magnum, out of 160 confirmed
• Longest successful shot made at 2,100 yards (1.2 miles)
• 80% first-shot kill rate at ranges up to 1,000 yards

No matter the circumstances, whether picking off enemies crossing open desert or providing cover fire against RPG attacks in cities, Kyle leveraged the .338 Lapua to devastating effect.

He first used a Remington 700 rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, then later received customized Accuracy International models set up specifically for his accuracy standards and preferred shooting position.

The Ideal Pairing – Man and Machine in Lethal Harmony

Speaking on his bond with the .338 rifle, Kyle described it as "amazingly accurate" and "easy to use". Through relentless training, he crafted an almost supernatural partnership with the firearm – establishing range estimations, wind calls, and ballistics intuitively and instinctively in the heat of combat.

Kyle also praised the .338 Lapua‘s versatility in his autobiography American Sniper:

"The gun is a big-game rifle that can fill any kind of job description asked of it. You can shoot at a distance, or you can shoot close up. It hits hard, and is effective on everything from buildings to people."

This versatility proved invaluable during two particularly heroic moments:

Over 1700 Yard Headshot – When Kyle‘s overwatch position came under attack from an RPG team over 1.5 miles away, he calmly estimated the range, adjusted his scope for elevation and windage, and successfully took out the lead insurgent with a single shot directed at the man‘s torso.

Mow Down 30 Insurgents – As a team of 30 insurgents attempted to overrun an exposed Marine unit awaiting transport, Kyle grabbed his .300 Win Mag and proceeded to pound the entire enemy force with rapid suppressive fire – killing dozens single-handedly and saving countless Marine lives.

Stories like these cemented Kyle‘s legendary status among US troops serving in Iraq. And in every account, by his side lies the trusty .338 Lapua sniper rifle – dealing death with fearsome accuracy over impossible distances.

The Complete Chris Kyle Loadout

Of course Kyle utilized more than just his signature long-range sniper rifle during tours in Iraq. Like any special forces operator, he needed to equip himself with versatile weaponry to handle CQB (close-quarters battle), storm buildings, provide backup support, and save ammunition.

Here‘s a breakdown of everything he carried into combat situations:

Long Range Sniper Rifles:

• .338 Lapua Magnum Bolt Action Rifle
• Later replaced with Accuracy International AWSM rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Mag

Mid Range Battle Rifles:

• 5.56 NATO SIG Sauer Mk12 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) – lightweight and customizable AR platform for flexibility
• 7.62 NATO MK11 Semi-Automatic Precision Rifle – packed heavier punch at closer ranges

Sidearms:

• .45 ACP M1911 Pistol – 7 round magazine with extreme stopping power
• 9mm Glock 17 – higher ammo capacity at 17 rounds per magazine

Specialty Weapons:

• 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun – for clearing rooms and blowing doors with buckshot
• Suppressed Submachine Gun – allowing stealth indoor eliminations

Mastering this diverse range of firearms, and knowing which one to wield for any combat eventuality, was all part of Kyle‘s combat credentials. It amplified his lethal skills as an all-around fighter – whether engaging the enemy at point-blank quarters or reaching out to extreme distances with his .338 Lapua.

The Gun in the Shadows – An Instrument of War

Looking back at Kyle‘s staggering kill rate, it‘s clear no other US military sniper used their rifle platform to such ruthless and history-making effect. With the .338 Lapua almost surgically implanted in his hands, Chris eliminated high-value targets, saved friendly forces and civilians from ambushes, and terrorized the insurgency movement in Iraq through relentless bombardment.

Such an astonishing body count, made possible by firearms technology in the hands of an expert marksman, shows how Kyle fully embodied the role of "sheepdog" by utilizing controlled, legally sanctioned violence to defeat evil forces and keep the peace. He stands as a premier case study demonstrating how mastering weapons craft at the highest levels transforms a single operator into a one-man army.

And with icons like Chris Kyle on the frontlines dealing controlled chaos unto enemies near and far, the US war machine continues its dominance as the alpha predator stalking at twilight‘s last gleaming. His legacy and feats in combat live on as testimony.