Snipers, high demand or not recomended?

[spookyshadow]

Hi,
I thought I'd post this in the guns section since it will mostly be concerning spring sniper rifles.
First off, my girlfriend and I are thinking of becoming a sniper/spotter team that will attend local air-soft games. My concern is that snipers might be frowned upon at these games for the following reasons:

-"camping"
-not suited for taking objectives, per-say
-unable to perform heavy cover fire

Anyway, I'm sure I could come up with other similar complaints, but has anyone heard of this? Or am I thinking too much? Are snipers welcomed as a useful asset to the team? [For those of you who are snipers] Do you normally play this load out, and how do you feel perceived by other players?
Are there too many snipers out there as it is?
And finally, a slightly more simple question for you veterans out there: What FPS is best for a spring sniper?*

Thank you so much for going through all that, and answering to the best of your ability.
Spookyshadow

*Note; I understand I am not age certified as of yet, due to the fact that I have not been answered by my local verifier at this time.

[Relja]

If your new to the sport, everyone says stay away from sniping and I concur. However if your mind is set on it, go to the sniper clinic and find out if its for you there if you pass the clinic you are authorized to go up to 500 fps with .2s for a level 2 and 550 fps with .2s if you have a level 3. Most people will not allow a "noob" sniper to play as you do not know the MED (Minimum Engagement Distance) which is set. I strongly suggest you go DMR (Designated Marksman) if you are set on being a sniper as it will be cheaper, less stressful as well as useful in other situations.

[surebet]

Spend the first year with an AEG

[Skruface]

"Sniping" is not what you see in the movies, or in COD. Most experienced players will try and steer new players away from this because it'snot fun unless you already have a decent skillset (have done some real firearms shooting, understand camo/concelament from practical experience ie: been in the military - not from playing video games, and know that 90% of the time you'll be watching, not shooting) and a whole bunch of money to burn. Seriously, some of us have been playing for a looooong time and understand what we're talking about.

In order to shoot effectively from long range, you need a highly upgraded rifle. It's not uncommon to see people put over $1K into a weapons system for this role, and I have played with some folks who are approaching $4K on one single gun. That is the amount of money it takes to make a sniper rifle with repeatable accuracy and utter reliability. A $200 rifle just will not cut it. Then you have another several hundred bucks invested in other things (ghillie suit, load carrying, etc.) that are nice (but not necessary) to play the role.

If you can swallow the cost of getting decent gear, then you have to determine where you'll play, and what style - skirmishes (short games that go on all day) or Milsim (military simulations with many objectives that go on for hours or even days). This choice will also affect how much you'll need to spend, naturally.

Other than that, play what you want to play - and have fun your own way as long as it's within the scope of the rules and the event. No one's really going to care if you play a sniper role or not (unless you keep shooting your pals by accident). Be advised that in your local, there is a requirement at many fields/clubs to graduate the "sniper course" before you will be allowed to play with high FPS guns - so that automatically puts you at a disadvantage because there will be many many people on the field that at the same velocity (400 fps) and range (about 40-50 yards) as you, except that they shoot 20 bbs/second to your 1 bb every 3 or 4 seconds......

On the subject of high FPS, that's a loaded question. High FPS =/= accuracy or even necessarily range. What you need to shoot for in your weapons system is low fluctuations in FPS, and repeatable accuracy. That comes at the heft cost mentioned above.

[spookyshadow]

Originally Posted by surebet

Spend the first year with an AEG

I've used an AEG for around 3 years now, and I'm ready for a change. When attending a sniper training course, are you given a card or proof of training? I am confident in my ability to determine safe fire distance, if that is what the training involves. Would not attending the sniper training, without a doubt, leave me out of an airsoft game? Would I really be told to leave, simply because I do not have the card for proof of training?

[SniperSam]

It wouldn't leave you out of an airsoft game, you just wouldn't be trusted as much if you had. MED for a sniper is usually about 48 meters, 50 yds, or 150 ft, so that means that at that range, you have to have a half dollar grouping or slightly above that on a target

[spookyshadow]

Originally Posted by SniperSam

It wouldn't leave you out of an air-soft game, you just wouldn't be trusted as much if you had.

I understand, and it is to be expected. Did you go through the class? Where you issued a card, or proof of some kind?
I understand the issues being discussed, but truthfully all I've see for sale so far as FPS is concerned is: 470-480. I understand there are more powerful rifles out there tho.

[SniperSam]

Originally Posted by spookyshadow

I understand, and it is to be expected. Did you go through the class? Where you issued a card, or proof of some kind?
I understand the issues being discussed, but truthfully all I've see for sale so far as FPS is concerned is: 470-480. I understand there are more powerful rifles out there tho.

It was at a field, and all the people in charge were there. Keep in mind this was in the USA, idk how it's done here. It wasn't a class, my uncle was a sniper in the Marines and passed on his knowledge to me, combine that with hunting for 6 years, and you have a nice bundle of experience.

[spookyshadow]

Originally Posted by SniperSam

It was at a field, and all the people in charge were there. Keep in mind this was in the USA, idk how it's done here. It wasn't a class, my uncle was a sniper in the Marines and passed on his knowledge to me, combine that with hunting for 6 years, and you have a nice bundle of experience.

Ok, so clearly you've had no problems getting into games with your past experiance. You see, I've also hunted for 2 years, and have been target firing for quite some time. I'm also very confident in my millitary experiance in tactics and procedures. I've used a variety of firearms from .22 to 30-06 but me telling this to anyone when showing up to a game will no doubt end up with "yeah sure, ok". If you know what I mean.

Oh, and if you dont mind. If your a sniper reading this could you tell me the fps of your rifle at time of purchase?**

**Never mind, I understand the scenario now.

[Relja]

Originally Posted by spookyshadow

I've used an AEG for around 3 years now, and I'm ready for a change. When attending a sniper training course, are you given a card or proof of training? I am confident in my ability to determine safe fire distance, if that is what the training involves. Would not attending the sniper training, without a doubt, leave me out of an airsoft game? Would I really be told to leave, simply because I do not have the card for proof of training?

You are not given a card, but they have a list they keep here on ASC of who is and who isnt certified. However snipers are still at the discretion of the host. The training involves MED as well as general info as well as some tests. And it could leave you without the ability to use your sniper rifle in an airsoft game. You wouldnt be told to leave, but you would probably need to borrow someone elses gun (usually at a fee).

[Mr.Shiney]

There should be Sniper Identification Cards coming at some point in the future. As stated before if you do not have the appropriate level of certification for the Muzzle Velocity your weapon is firing at, you may (will) be asked to leave that rifle behind.


The Sniper's Clinic is a day long event. You will learn about the MED's and why they are extremely important and non flexible.

I suggest that when a Clinic becomes available that you can attend, please do so.

[spookyshadow]

Originally Posted by Mr.Shiney

There should be Sniper Identification Cards coming at some point in the future. As stated before if you do not have the appropriate level of certification for the Muzzle Velocity your weapon is firing at, you may (will) be asked to leave that rifle behind.
The Sniper's Clinic is a day long event. You will learn about the MED's and why they are extremely important and non flexible.
I suggest that when a Clinic becomes available that you can attend, please do so.

Sounds fun. I guess I got no choice in the matter right, lol. Are there fees involved with attending a clinic? Also, how do you go from level 1 to 2 and so on?

[coach]

every game and every field will have different FPS maximums and restrictions.

typical non-certified BA limit is 450fps. you may still be vetoed by the host, field owner or players vote.

note that if a field limit is 450 and you have the level 2 certification, you cannot exceed the 450fps regardless if you are certified to shoot 500fps. same goes for level 3 shooters. even though they have passed the course, if a field limit restricts you to 450fps, you'll have to downgrade your rifle or leave it at home.

[Mr.Shiney]

The fees for a Sniper Clinic is typically 15 to 25 depending on the field it is being held at.

There is no Level 1, as all persons that can display a decent amount of common sense and normal safe handling are Level 1. They may handle a Bolt Action (NON AEG), Single Shot Rifle up to 450 fps, they must respect the Minimum Engagement Distance of 200 feet.

For Level 2 and 3 Snipers Respectively, they may operate at a Higher Muzzle Velocity, depending on their Certification.

However the Field Owner and/or Event Host may restrict Muzzle Velocity for the Field. All players must abide by that Muzzle Velocity.

[CDN_Stalker]

Seeing as how you are in Cornwall, means you'll more than likely be attending Ottawa/Petawawa/Quebec games, and that pretty much means you'll have to have sub-450fps as a velocity (regardless of the certification level, even I have to abide by this, but I have only been running my BA at just under 400fps.....that's 0.36g coming out at 300fps) and find it works much better than it was at 500fps for a few years (also gives me a much lower MED, I'll shoot guys at 60ft if I can tag a pouch or something), and sniper clinic isn't necessary (is more for new players to learn techniques and safety). Sounds like you have plenty of experience under your belt, all you need now is just to get a rifle and get out to games with it.

Something you can do, which is what I do constantly, haul your rifle on your back and play with your AEG full time. Bring out the rifle when you need the quiet accuracy, or get the sweet shots you can get away with. My rifle is on my back 90% of the game, yes I lug a lot of weight, but is worth it. And being a sniper doesn't always mean camping, hunting/stalking is much more productive, work alone or with a spotter away or ahead of your team, and work in concert with them (comms are mandatory).

I say, just get out and do it.