Best Sniper Rifle

Sniper rifles are a staple in the military and can make a shot from a mile away. The first long-range sniper rifle, the British Whitworth rifle, was used during the Civil War and became the rifle that others were and are modeled after. Since then sniper rifles have continued to be manufactured and redesigned, creating the tactical, high-precision shots seen today.

Typically, sniper rifles are bolt-action, meaning the sniper needs to load and chamber every round that is fired manually. Semi-automatic sniper rifles eliminate that need and usually have a closed-bolt system. With their slight differences, there is no greater type of sniper rifle. It all comes down to personal preference.

Sniper rifles are without-a-doubt extremely powerful. Their accuracy and ability to take down enemies from a long distance are the reason they are used in militaries around the globe. The following are some of the best sniper rifles used today:

1. Remington M24

The M24 is one of the most popular sniper rifles in the world. It is essentially the sniper version of the Remington 700 model bolt-action rifle. It was developed in the 1980’s and is one of the primary sniper rifles used in the military today in battle. The barrel of the M24 is made out of 416R stainless steel for durability and strength. Unlike other rifles that have one groove, this rifle has five. This is to reduce the risk of bullet deformation and enhance accuracy. The most notable feature is the hammer forged, stainless steel, a powder-coated Rem-tough barrel which provides enhanced accuracy.

Pros

• Detachable telescopic sight and box magazine
• Has fitted, iron sights as backup for the scope
• Stationary cheekpiece with an extendable buttplate
• Maintains accuracy up to 10,000 or more rounds fired
• Adjustable length of pull
• Has a hinged floorplate
• Fiberglass stock is reinforced with an aluminum bedding block
• Comes with a cleaning kit, replacement parts, and tools

Cons

• Accuracy is negatively affected if using machine gun grade ammunition
• Not sold to civilians, but has similar rifles on the market

2. Barrett M82

The Barrett M82 is a semi-automatic sniper to come out of the 1980’s. It is nicknamed the “Light Fifty” due to its .50 BMG chambering. The M82 is primarily an anti-material rifle, which is used against military equipment but is also used as a long-range rifle. The rifle is durable and accurate. It has the power to penetrate brick and concrete to defeat enemies. It also has a unique recoil reduction system. A muzzle break absorbs up to 70% of the recoil and reduces the force on internal components of the rifle.

Pros

• Has detachable magazines that hold 10 rounds
• Can be used with night vision scopes
• Some versions have a Picatinny-type scope rail
• Contains a quick-detachable carrying handle
• Has a detachable bipod
• Can be fitted with a carry sling if desired
• Flip-up iron sight for emergencies involving scope damage

Cons

• Is heavy and will weigh a shooter down
• Rare for civilian use

3. Knight SR-25

The Knight SR-25 has many variations and models. The SR-15 is accurate and durable. It is grouped 1” at 100 yards like most other sniper rifles. Like the Remington M24, the SR-25 has five grooves opposed to just one. Newer models utilize a modern Picatinny-Weaver rail system for various scope mounts and a carrying handle with iron sights. The rifle has an aluminum fore-end that does not come in contact with the barrel forward of the receiver. This gives the rifle precise accuracy.

Pros

• Has ambidextrous controls
• Left and right-handed rifles available
• Has a chrome plated bolt carrier
• Free-floating barrel
• Has a detachable box magazine that holds 10 or 20 rounds
• Has flip-up, backup iron sights
• The Rail Accessory System makes it easy to attach/detach components
• Civilian versions are available on the market

Cons

• Many people question its reliability
• Needs a consistent maintenance routine to ensure reliability

4. McMillan TAC-50

The McMillan Tac-50 is a long-range, anti-material rifle designed in the 1980’s. The rifle is primarily used by the elite military, such as the SEAL’s, and by some law enforcement units. It has the ability and power to go through brick and concrete at long-range, destroy military equipment (such as aircraft and trucks) at long-range, and eliminate enemies at standoff range. This rifle is also commonly used when snipers break records. The current longest recorded sniper kill is set at 2.2 miles using the Tac-50 in Iraq.

Pros

• Scope rail can mount various telescopic and night sights
• Has an accurate range up to 6,000 feet
• Detachable box magazines
• Ability to mount a sound suppressor
• Has a heavy match-grade barrel for durability
• Contains a muzzle brake for reduced recoil
• The fiberglass stock is adjustable and removable for storage

Cons

• The rifle is big and heavy
• Has no backup iron sights for emergencies

Final Thoughts

Sniper rifles are not for the faint of heart. They are powerful, fast, and accurate- making for a deadly combination. That is also the reason many are unavailable for regular civilians to purchase. Most sniper rifles used by the military do have similar rifles on the market for civilians to purchase. Many soldiers coming home from combat like having a version of the sniper they trained with and used during their service.

Hunters also benefit from using a sniper rifle for the precise accuracy from far distances they provide. It is good to pick a sniper rifle with the appropriate weight for what the intended use is for. Hunters do not need to carry a 26-pound rifle in the woods when there are 11-pound ones available.