Making the assumptions that the sniper was using US military M33 ball ammunition with a 647 grain bullet (nearly 42g), and with the average temperature, altitude and humidity data for Baghdad at the beginning of June (30oC, 34 metres and 21 per cent humidity, respectively) entered into the calculator, a notional muzzle velocity of 3,000ft per second, and a scope height of an inch and a half over the centre of the bore, we can estimate that a range of 3,750yds – near enough the 3,773yds at which the shot was taken – the sniper had to correct his sights and aim off by more than 12 thousand inches, or 327 arc-minutes of angle, to compensate for the drop of his bullet over such a great distance. The bullet was in the air for 9.7 seconds.
