For requirements of detecting, positioning and warning of sniper in sniping operation, the research of optical properties for gun flame and smoke was developed. According to the documentary data for gun flame and smoke and performance parameters of optical measuring equipment, a detailed field test scheme of optical properties for gun flame and smoke was designed. The optical properties for gun flame and smoke of a 5.8 mm and 7.62 mm caliber ballistic rifle were tested in the field. The test results show that the radiation of gun flame and smoke is mainly concentrated in 2 μm~5 μm, the duration was approximately 6 ms, the maximum radiation energy appears around 2 ms, and the radiation intensity of gun flame and smoke of 5.8 mm ballistic rifle is higher than 7.62 mm in both medium waves and long waves. The measurement results of optical properties for gun flame and smoke provide an important basis for the detection of gun flame and smoke and the improvement of weapon propellant.