Dear Smith and Wesson Forum i have a military sniper rifle question. Which is a better military sniper rifle? A bolt action sniper rifle or a semi automatic Sniper. sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum.

Define "better."

Define 'sniper rifle'?

A lot of cunfusion exists between 'sniper' and 'squad designated markman'.

They are NOT the same.

DThis depends on many variables. They would include the distance to target, number of targets and their deployment (stationary, advancing, etc.) and perhaps most importantly, the sniper himself and his comfort level with the equipment.

Like all things, one size does NOT fit all.

Purists say that a bolt-action rifle is better because it a) typically has a longer, higher-quality barrel, and b) there is less likelihood that chambering the round in a bolt action rifle will somehow alter the ballistics by somehow marring the bullet.

You can, of course, get an AR platform with a longer higher-quality barrel.

Given the above, the shooter's skills is about 95% of the entire equation, and all the best equipment in the world won't do squat for a guy that can't shoot.

All that being said, most AR rifles can be extremely accurate out to the effective range of the cartridge. The only time you should really be concerned is shots out beyond 1000 meters, and for those, you get a purpose-built weapon.

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*Aim small, miss small...

A true sniper can do the job with either. Being a sniper is more than just being a good shot with an accurate rifle, it's all about using cover and concealment to get in, make the shot, and get out undetected. Just because a person owns a sniper rifle and can hit a target with it does not make them a sniper.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

it depends on the situation, what the sniper expects to encounter, would be the deciding factor

The current trend for the US military is to go more to the Knight semi-auto 7.62. The ability to fire consecutive rounds without having to work the bolt and the ability to maintain constant vision thru the scope being the main pluses. It resembles the M4 which does not identify its' user as a sniper as readily as the bolt gun. Accuracy is on a par with the M 40.

Well spoken Smith357.

MG357, given today's technology and finances to acquire this precision accuracy, you can find semi-automatic rifles that can easily shoot on par with bolt action rifles to the point that most of these rifles will out shoot the shooters skill level.

Here are some links that may help better answer your bolt vs semi question. Remember that you will always find different opinions out there just as in the age old Ford vs Chevy debate of what is best. Good luck, and remember there are always a snake oil salesman out there to separate you from hard earned money, so do your homework.



Regards,
Brent

Have you ever handled or actually seen an M110/SR-25? It looks nothing like an M4. Nothing says "sniper" like a long rifle with a big scope on it.

This thread is pointless, but reading some of the replies should be entertaining.

Most of the above responses are correct. There are A LOT of variables. Especially, distance, number of targets, the combat environment (very important), weather issues, and of course, the operators choice.

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

No, I've never held or seen one. All my knowledge of them comes from an AMERICAN RIFLEMAN article. Every point made in my reply to the original question came directly from the article(including the point that it resembles the M4)

Thanks for an entertaining reply.

Who is the shooter what level of trining will he have? arifle by itself wont do much

dragon88, you're right bro... pointless but fun