Why are their so many people asking for sniper type rifles?

Question

In my opinion a rifle is a rifle...and just because you buy a sniper type rifle it does not make you a Sniper....
Join the military.....

Thanks for the answers some GREAT ONES!!! Make your vote count.....

Answer 1

Probably because more people like to shoot than hunt. I have some friends at the range that spend an enormous amount of money on accurizing their guns/opticals but never go hunting. Their big thrill is tight groups at long range.

Answer 2

(the answer we give everyone when they ask about "sniper" rifles) (boy we need a FAQ posted here in hunting) Any rifle is a sniper rifle, so long as it is used by a sniper. A cheap rifle in the hands of a sniper is far more deadly than a barrett .50 in the hands of an untrained person. Taking the time to sneak up to a good shooting position, selecting the target, taking into account elevation changes, distances, wind, the correalis effect from the earth's rotation (not kidding, look it up) all are the things that truly define what a sniper is. Okay so that being said, when you say "Sniper" what you really should be saying is "long-distance target rifle" which is much better received by hunters. First off, pick your caliber. .223 is common, but not a good anti-personnel round, rarely used by a sniper. .308 is a much more common round, and while it may have less velocity and therefore a more curved trajectory, its heavier mass allows, with bullet drop compensated, generally a much longer range of accurate shooting to be achieved. So if you know the target is 300 yards away, you don't have to worry, so long as you aim high enough according to the ballistics chart, you should get really good accuracy at the target. Next you pick a style. Do you want something to carry out into the woods, or something just focused on target accuracy? Weight is the big concern here. The best guns for target shooting are WAY too heavy to carry around all day, but that extra weight in the barrel allows you to reach out several hundred yards with a precision unmatched by a lightweight gun more suited for stalking prey with. The next important thing is the trigger. You want a trigger that has an adjustable pull (or is already set where you want it) and that when you begin to squeeze it, it just fires. No sliding, no crunching, no click-clack-whank before it fires, just simply BOOM it goes off when you decide you are ready for the shot. This is the biggest thing when it comes to accuracy. A heavy trigger pull that clicks, slides, and grinds before it finally fires, will ruin your shot by having your gun flinch off the target before firing. Next is optics. Buy a good name brand that is really high magnification and mount it well. My favorite is a 36x44 BSA scope, that lets me shoot a .17HMR 150 yards and watch as the bullet shatters beer bottles. You probably want something with adjustable magnification, and a better brand. Bipod. Everything gets a bipod. Even your shotgun and your pistol. And your slingshot. Off the top of my head, i'd say go out and buy yourself a Remington 700 SPS chambered in .308, put a bipod on it, along with a 6-24x44 Nikon, get a laser range finder, study the ballistic drop charts, and practice alot with ranges of 100 yards or greater.

Answer 3

That is a good question. I kinda wish people would stop calling anything with a bull barrel a "sniper rifle". I own a Remington 700, purpose built,competition rifle and I do know how to shoot long distance. This does not make it a snipers rifle. Obviously because I am no sniper. I wonder if Accuracy International built Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle? Hmmmmmm

Answer 4

I want a sniper rifle too, have had my eye on an original WW2 Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 sniper rifle,complete with original type optics,but I need to save a little more to accomadate the 1200$ price tag.,even though that is one the finest rifles of that era,owning it will not make me a sniper,but it would make me happy

Answer 5

I blame Hollywood and much of the gun press.

Both keep spouting crap about sniper rifles and snipers.

It inspires a hoard of wannabes to spend big bucks on a fancy rifle that they can't shoot worth a hoot.

Me, I prefer a solid dependable rifle that puts the bullets where I want them to hit. It is called marksmanship, but that is an oldfashioned virtue.

Doc

Answer 6

exactly!!!!! There is no such thing as a sniper rifle, a sniper is a person, not a type of rifle. these people probably get this from all the video games they've played.

wouldnt it be that any gun used by a "sniper" is a sniper's rifle or "sniper rifle' as they call it?

Answer 7

Too many wannabe heros that spend their life playing video games.

A rilfe is a rifle until it touches the hands of a sniper, at that point, it becomes a sniper rifle.

Answer 8

a lot of those people think that if they get the same kind of gun and/or scope that military snipers have they will become a killing machine. like rambo or something. it's just a feeling of machoism. most of them probably cant shoot past 200 yds anyways. i will say that a good rifle will do a better job than a crappy one but most commercialy available rifles are capable of shooting much more accuratly than the people who are firing them.

Answer 9

Because ignorance is bliss to most of them..We live in an age now where video games, and Hollywood movies are a bigger influence than parents are..As stated in another answer..A Sniper is an individual, not the weapon he/she uses......I get sick and tired of having people comparing Snipers to Competitive Target Shooters. I've been a Long Range Rifle Team Member for over 16 years now. Yes, I've literally spent thousands of dollars on my Competition Remington 700's, but I shoot at paper targets, not to be confused with shooting human beings.and I have NO problem telling the difference......I've been a HUNTER even longer....

Answer 10

For the same reason they all want Desert Eagles.................they don't know any better. A rifle is a rifle, I don't spend thousand's of dollars accurizing a rifle, because I don't find it to be that fun, I find hunting to be much more rewarding and entertaining.

Answer 11

There are various Rifles made for Snipers & used by the trained professionals in the Military & Law Enforcement, however I believe that most people who ask about Sniper type Rifles are really asking about & concerned about the Best Makes & Models used for shooting tight groups at paper Targets at long ranges.** There is nothing evil or sinister intended in the way they ask about them & how they refer to them.** Its just their way of asking about the best rifles to use for long ranges & accuracy.** I think you need to lighten up a little & relax & not prejudge these questions & jump to conclusions by making a mountain out of a mole hill.**