U.S. intelligence agencies have built their own version of the famous Russian-designed AK-47 assault rifle for use by American snipers in Iraq.They'd have to, as the AK-47 ain't no sniper rifle. The beauty of the AK-47 is its reliability of firing even if dirty as hell and dropped in mud. All because the tolerances are so loose -- but therefore 'a tad' inaccurate.
The 7.62 mm round used by the AK-47 differs from the 7.62 mm sniper round used in normal U.S. sniper ammunition and creates a different wound.
Well sorry but .. DUH!
The AK in question fires a 7.62x39mm and a U.S. 'sniper round' is a 7.62x51mm (NATO), aka .308 Winchester (but its really not the same). But unless they're completely rebuilding this new super duper AK from the ground up (receiver, longer barrel, etc) I question the veracity of this.
To me a modified SKS makes more sense (we know how the MSM calls everything an AK-47). It still fires the 7.62x39, has a longer barrel (20" vs 16") and when you put a scope and new stock on it and wham - instant 'sniper rifle'. Though with the 7.62x39 still not much good past 200 yards (Remington Ballistics charts STOP at 200 for the 7.62x39)
http://www.dragunov.net/