Q&A for How to Be a Sniper

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Can you tell me what are the qualities a sniper must have?

Scott Thompson
Firearms Instructor
Scott Thompson is a Firearms Instructor based in Stapleton, Alabama. He is the Owner and Lead Instructor at Gulf Firearms Instruction, a Premier Firearms Training Academy that has been teaching citizens and law enforcement personnel for more than 31 years. He holds multiple teaching certifications as an NRA Training Counselor; he is certified to train instructors in NRA Basic Handgun, Basic Rifle, Personal Protection in the Home, and NRA CCW. He is certified to teach Law Enforcement in pistol, revolver, shotgun, urban rifle, and sniper skills. Before instructing at Gulf Firearms, he was a Police Officer for 25 years, and he is a Retired SWAT Officer.

Scott Thompson

Firearms Instructor

Expert Answer

You need really good attention to detail and you must have the ability to communicate extremely well. You must be able to describe what you're seeing to somebody who can't see it in the command post. Everybody thinks a sniper is about shooting, but it's mostly about scouting. The ability to communicate and paint a picture with words at the command post is extremely important. Getting into your hide without being seen is also very important. Once you have the basics, the shooting is the simplest part of being a sniper. There's a lot of math involved because you're using scopes often and you have to measure distances with algebraic equations without a laser rangefinder. Pulling the trigger is the easiest part.

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Question

Would they accept a person that can't swim into sniper training?

Community Answer

Likely not. While every branch of the military has sniper units with differing requirements, basic swim qualifications are a requirement for all service members. Snipers are expected to be able to perform at the highest level in any environment, which includes the water.

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What's the best rifle for a sniper?

Fall down house

Community Answer

If you are a stationary sniper, the BFG 50. If you are a recon sniper, I would choose the Remington 700. If you are a sniper that hits the front line and doesn't take the typical sniper role, Mosin Nagant.

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What gun do snipers typically use?

Edwin ng

Community Answer

It's different from country to country. For example, in Singapore it's a Sako TRG 22 bolt action; in the United States, for long-distance a Barrett 50 cal.; for close quarter and medium range a Barrett M110.

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