Machined from an aluminum-alloy investment casting, the BORS is shockproof and waterproof. Its anodized finish and seals also pass salt-fog testing, and the system's electronics do not interfere with other sensitive gear. The lithium battery powers the unit for a minimum of 30 hours. It weighs just 13 ounces, and considering an M107 weighs around 30 pounds and the M99 weighs 25 pounds--sans scope--it is a small addition to an already substantial rifle. After more than four years of research and development, Barrett sent the BORS out for third party testing to make sure the unit was mil-spec tough.

The wind value has to be determined and dialed into the scope before taking the shot.

Currently the BORS is designed to work with five different Leupold Mark IV scopes. Barrett is putting together units that work with NightForce, Schmidt & Bender, and additional Leupold models. Complete with rings, the unit retails for $1,500, or $2,700 with a Leupold scope.

Some quick testing with a Remington Model 700 Police in .308 Win. proved the BORS a simple and extremely fast way to hit targets at varying ranges. The rangefinder worked well on targets exactly 12 inches high, but steel plates proved a little more difficult to range. Ideally, a spotter with a high-quality laser rangefinder would do the ranging, providing more accurate data, and the shooter would not have to chase targets around the range.

Long-range shooting is fun for most of us and essential for the military. Learning the science behind it all is an essential component to actually hitting those tiny faraway targets. The Barrett BORS helps make that hit more certain, and makes it happen much faster.