Anyone who has played paintball knows why it’s among the most popular alternative sports, with millions of passionate players all over the country. Whether we’re playing woodsball or speedball, it’s a constant adrenaline rush that is the closest most of us will get to a battlefield (which is definitely a good thing).
Many players have voiced the opinion that there’s no such thing as a paintball sniper. They typically change their tune after taking a single paintball from an opponent they never saw.
A sniper is a valuable part of any paintball team. That’s because they can work in both an offensive or defensive capacity. If you need to conquer an important position or a flag, a stealthy sniper can help you reach that point safely. If you need someone to take out the other team’s medics or general, a sniper is ideal for that job, too.
Effective sniping requires stealth, patience, excellent shooting, and a bit of a loner mentality. It also requires an accurate gun with plenty of range and a scope to lock in on the target. That’s why we’ve put together a paintball sniper’s buying guide. Let’s break down both paintball scopes and sniper paintball guns.
How to Shop For Paintball Scopes
The first thing to understand about paintball scopes is that they are only useful with a gun that’s able to shoot accurately from a distance. Using a scope to line up the perfect shot doesn’t make a difference if your gun isn’t shooting straight. That means you need a clean gun (especially the barrel), a regulated air source to prevent pressure fluctuations, and high-quality, consistent paintballs.
With an accurate gun, a scope can make all the difference. When shopping for a scope, it’s important to realize the difference between scopes and sights. A scope has a magnifying lens. A sight, also known as a reflex sight or a red dot sight, has an illuminated dot that with which the player marks the target. The problem is that sights aren’t magnified. Therefore, they don’t help with those long-range shots.
What factors should we look for in a scope? Obviously, the magnifying capability itself is a crucial factor as it affects our range. The scope also needs to be able to handle the gun’s recoil by staying in position. The following scopes are some of the best on the market:
a. Trinity 4×32 Mildot Scope
This TRINITY Mildot scope provides an excellent mix of precision and durability. It has a one-piece body that attaches securely to paintball guns. Moreover, the four-times magnification helps on medium to long-range shots.
Its lenses have a blue-fused multi coating. This useful feature reduces internal reflections and glare, which is a lifesaver on sunny days.
b. RAP4 Tactical 9×32 Sniper Scope
When it comes to paintball sniping, it’s hard to beat this RAP4 paintball sniper scope’s nine-times magnification. This scope is also very lightweight, which is nice for those long hikes to a suitable sniping spot. It does require a sidewinder mount to install onto a paintball gun.
3 Low Priced Sniper Paintball Guns
Sniper paintball guns can be on the pricey side. Therefore, it’s important to know what to look for, and where you can find good guns for a decent price. Let’s take a look at 3 quality candidates for your next paintball acquisition that come with reasonable price tags.
1. Tippmann X7 Phenom Electro Paintball Marker
The Tippmann X7 Phenom Electro marker lives up to the manufacturer’s reputation for reliability. This product can go through thousands of balls without any breaks. It easily switches between semiautomatic and full auto modes. On the other hand, switching to other firing modes is a bit more difficult.
Nonetheless, snipers are obviously going to stay in semiautomatic mode for the most part, and that’s where this gun shines. It is very accurate right out of the box, and it operates at a low air pressure. As a result, each shot is quiet and doesn’t cause much recoil.
2. Tippmann US Army Project Salvo Sniper Paintball Gun M-FDP Edition
The Tippmann US Army Project Salvo Sniper Paintball Gun provides an excellent balance between quality and affordability. It’s among the least expensive sniper paintball guns, and it truly is designed for sniping.
The sniper has a long, well-made barrel for range and accuracy. One thing to keep in mind is that this gun comes with a red dot sight instead of a scope. As previously mentioned, red dot sights aren’t a good choice for sniping. Players can’t see the dot at long range anyway. However, we can always swap out the sight with a scope.
3. Dye Proto Rize MaXXed Paintball Marker
The Dye Proto Rize MaXXed marker offers high-end features at a price that doesn’t break the budget. The 14-inch two-piece barrel is great for sharpshooting. Nonetheless, the best thing about this gun has to be its ergonomic, hourglass design. It makes controlling the gun and pulling the trigger a smooth process.
That ergonomic design also comes in handy when you’re lying on the ground trying to stay comfortable while keeping your gun ready to fire. Players can adjust the velocity as necessary with this gun, and it hardly ever breaks a ball. With all these features, this Dye selection entered the list of best paintball marker choices you have on the market.
Final Word
There’s nothing quite like tagging an opponent from across the field. Of course, it’s not nearly as fun if you miss the shot. That’s why the right sniper setup is important.
An aspiring sniper should always start with a high-quality gun that is clean and well maintained. Afterward, they can add a solid magnified scope to see the field better. In the end, it’s all about practicing to become the most proficient sniper possible.