Airsoft sniper rifles are popular because of their ability to hit targets over long distances. Their mechanics allow for amazing accuracy over great lengths. In most cases, their distance is just over 100 yards, which is incredible regarding airsoft weaponry.
Airsoft Sniper Advantages
There are many advantages when looking for airsoft guns, including the massive distance they can fire across. These types of guns feature long barrels that enable them to have excellent precision compared to small airsoft guns. For a gun to qualify as a viable sniper, it has to be effective at about a hundred yards. A proper sniper rifle can change the dynamic of play completely, as long as the area is sufficient.
Any good rifle can be used with an optic scope, but sniper rifles are in a class of their own. Many are designed to resemble a real rifle to give you a realistic experience. However, it can take some time getting used to airsoft sniper rifles if you’ve never operated a real gun before.
Primarily, you’ll want to look for wide, open spaces where you can pick off opponents. It’s important to remember to stay out of the middle of these spaces yourself, so you can get out the gunfire while avoid getting hit.
Different Types of Airsoft Rifles on the Market
Similar to your regular airsoft rifle, airsoft snipers are made up of three different types of weaponry. You’ll find that many regular airsoft guns are gas blowback or an automatic electric gun. Beneath we’ve listed the main types of airsoft sniper rifles, factors you can expect to find, and the differences between each kind.
1. Spring Sniper Rifles
Airsoft guns powered by springs use energy stored within the spring to compress air before launching a pellet to the target. To operate this type of rifle, you must cock a spring gun before each shot. Doing this requires some physical effort where you pull back the pistols or the shotgun’s gun to ensure the gun is ready to fire. As spring sniper rifles are mainly used for gaming, they generally offer ultra high-powered precision.
Bear in mind that this type of rifle is usually weaker than gas or electric models, although that doesn’t mean they lack power altogether. Most rifles can attain a firing speed of 500 fps, but operating the gun requires cocking the gun prior to every shot. As a result, this can actually make the difference between shooting someone else or you getting shot. But, other types of sniper rifles don’t require this action.
There’s also a consideration that cocking the gun each time doesn’t have a realistic approach, and spring-powered guns generally shoot at low speeds. This can less accuracy, and the gun doesn’t perform at its best when it's raining or windy outside. On the plus side, these guns can fire endlessly as you don’t need to use ammunition.
2. Gas Blowback
Gas blowback rifles are the most popular types of rifles on the market probably because they’re the most realistic airsoft guns. They’re a semi-automatic type of gun that uses green gas or CO2 for its power source. This compressed air is then used to release the BB from the chamber without having to cock the slide every time. There are several models of gas blowback rifles that can all be fired at the same time that you release the trigger.
Gas-powered rifles are an improvement from spring guns because they have better power and speeds of around 300 fps. With this increased power, it means you can accurately shoot your target and reach a much farther distance too. Made from full metal, they’re durable and look realistic, but they don’t perform well in cold conditions. Also, once the gas runs out, the game is over as you can’t pause the game to refill with gas.
3. Electric Rifles (Also Known as AEG)
Electric rifles are mainly powered by an 8.4v battery and manly feature a full metal body and reinforced metal internals which makes these types of rifles the most expensive. Most AEG rifles are designed for high performance and intense power, so many of the brands can cost twice as much as the two options above.
There are many advantages to choosing an electric rifle. You can recharge their batteries, which can save you a huge amount of money, and they generally perform well in an array of temperatures. By shooting at speeds of 500 fps, they’re durable and great for intense games. You can also increase the amount of time playing by carrying an extra battery pack, though if you’re forgetful, this could be a major disadvantage for you.
Features to Compare
Before you choose what rifle is best for you. It's important to take all of the variables of these types of weapons into consideration.
The various factors are especially important. And can affect how you make your decision quite a lot when picking the best airsoft sniper rifle.
1. Type of Gun Depending On Your Position
Depending on the situations you prefer during games, you’ll want to pick certain weapons for their strengths. For example, a gas blowback rifle is good for large open spaces. But you can use an AEG for shorter distances if you still prefer to snipe.
For an airsoft sniper, you’ll require a rifle with a long barrel, high FPS and excellent accuracy. The best types are usually non-electric and feature a single-shot design. For airsoft support gunners, you’ll generally require an automatic airsoft gun with a high rate of fire and large capacity. Gunners tend to spray hundreds of pellets in one hot, so it’s important that your weapon can fire bursts that are accurate.
An airsoft rifleman makes up the majority of the squad and will require an airsoft sniper that can target over 100 feet while still targeting close subjects. The best type of gun for this player are semi-automatic as they can target many ranges. Finally, an airsoft team leader will need one of the highest-quality rifles you can purchase. This should have a rapid-fire system and be either semi or fully automatic.
2. FPS
FPS or ‘feet per second’ is another important variable when making your decision.
Sniper rifles should have at least 400 FPS to be able to be used for this position. This is especially important, as you’ll be using heavier pellets because of your position as a sniper. If you intend on sniping, then the higher this bigger, the better.
If your rifle doesn’t have this amount of power it’s unlikely you’ll be able to pick off opponents at long-distance.
You can also opt for lighter pellets if conditions are calm, allowing you to shoot farther. If a gust of wind does whip up, however, any shots you make will be sent off-track.
3. Optics
Optics are essential to fulfill your role as a sniper. The best guns can’t help you hit a target without the aid of a scope. It’s best to get a rifle that allows you to remove your scope so that you can replace it with one that you prefer if you don’t like the original.
It’s always important to dial in your scope before you start a match! Trying to do this in the thick of combat will give your position away as you’ll most likely have to practice multiple shots before you find the right settings. When shooting, it’s much better to aim for the center of the target’s body. When shopping for scopes, you should aim for products that give you a range of 150-200 yards.
For close distances, consider a 1x red dot sight, but for longer distances, a 4x or 3-9x scope would be perfect. When you’re playing outdoors, your targets will be much farther away compared to indoors, so you should consider the amount of wind and elevation needed.
4. Accessories
As well as the normal itinerary that helps you in your duties as a marksman, there are also certain accessories that you can use to assist your gameplay.
The most notable of these is a sling, which gives you quick access to your sidearm without having to drop your rifle. This is useful in circumstances where someone gets the jump on you and you have to deal with the situation as quickly as possible.
Bipods are another great addition, allowing you to stabilize your shooting (as long as you have something to rest it on). Consider what type of accessories come with your airsoft rifle, and which ones you can buy to enhance your game.
5. Budget
A budget should definitely come into the equation since there’s a range of prices for all airsoft snipers. Spending a lot of money doesn’t necessarily mean you’re purchasing the best airsoft sniper rifle as this unit might not be great for your skills. With that being said, we don’t suggest purchasing the cheapest rifle you can find, but there are many high-quality versions you can purchase, even if you’re on a budget.
6. Weight
We want you to be as comfortable as possible while holding your airsoft rifle which is why you should consider the unit’s weight. Although it might seem more fun and realistic to run with a heavy gun, these can become too heavy to handle for most airsoft players. But if you’re a beginner, we suggest opting for a versatile lightweight model so that it’s comfortable and reliable for you to use.
Finding Airsoft Guns for You
Here we are going to look at three of the best airsoft rifles available. We have chosen these for their immediate appeal and great features that we think you’ll love.
The Best Airsoft Sniper Rifles
Comparison Table
Product | Image | Details | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle |
| a fantastic spring action rifle with a realistic bolt-action design | ||
UTG Accushot Competition Shadow Ops Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle |
| a unique, designed to use in the cold | ||
H&K HK Sl9 AEG Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle |  | a perfect rifle for short fields and light to boot |
Here's Our Full Reviews Of
The Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle For 2018
The Bbtac Bt-96 is a fantastic spring action rifle with a realistic bolt-action design.
As long as you’re able to stay on top of the spring. The Bbtac bt-96 is good to go and it comes with some great accessories out of the box, including a bipod and an optic scope.
The Bbtac bt-96 has an FPS rating of 400 with .20 ammunition which is considered to be on the low side. But it's good for someone who is undecided on their role as a sniper. Consider that this high-quality unit is constructed from heavy-duty materials to provide a solid weight and feel, and create a realistic look. By featuring a lengthy tight-bore barrel, adjustable hop-up, and high-quality bolt action spring system, this sniper provides excellent accuracy and power.
The magazines for this rifle can take some getting used. But this is easily overlooked with some practice. All in all, we consider the Bbtac bt-96 a brilliant entry-level rifle.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Good | $$$ |
UTG's Accushot is perfect if you’ve decided to take up sniping seriously.
This brilliant rifle also comes with a bipod and extra magazines, which can be a lifesaver if you get caught in the thick of it.
Unfortunately, the Accushot does not come with a scope. But this is a small concession to make for such a great gun (many players will prefer to find their scopes anyway). The Accushot is also unique, and designed to be used in the cold, which is apparent in its oversized bolt. This is easily operable regardless of whether you wear heavy gloves or not.
The magazines that come with the rifle are equipped with a spring-loaded assist, making them easy to load. The Accushot is a good pick for the budding sniper, and the only real issue we can see is the need to buy a scope.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Good | $ |
If you’re planning to take on opponents at a shorter distance, then the h&k HK sl9 AEG works beautifully. It has a monstrous FPS of 430-440, which means it has some serious kick to it, and the fully automatic mode is great for saturating play areas with gunfire.
However, this model has no battery, bipod or scope. While this might seem disadvantageous, finding all the right pieces for the perfect marker is what most players cherish.
The noise the h&k HK makes can be compensated for by its sheer power. With an inner barrel that runs along the outer barrel, it’s hard not only super accurate but brutal to be on the other end of. This is a perfect rifle for short fields and light to boot.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Great Choice | $$$ |
Which of The Above Is the Best Airsoft Sniper Rifle For You?
We hope you enjoyed reading our selection of the best airsoft snipers and have found a unit that is right for you. Never rush your decision, as this should be a thought-out process, and sometimes buying the cheapest rifle can cost you more in the long run.
If you have any recommendations to products that we haven’t listed above, please share your thoughts in the comments, as we’d love to hear from you.
Last update on 2023-06-03 at 03:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API