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Bellerophon · April 13th, 2014, 16:10

Didn't expect to write this much, but this is clearly an immense topic and I'm barely scratching the surface. You'll have to do a lot of your own research, but for now these are notes from my experience sniping, learned through trial and (mostly) error:

Equipment
- Get a reliable sidearm, and get very comfortable using it. Many fields won't let you use a high powered rifle unless you have a lower powered backup weapon to use within your minimum engagement distance. A good holster is essential, poor fitting or poorly attached holsters get annoying really fast.
- Corollary to above: a decent sling for your rifle is essential. A sidearm isn't very useful if you have nowhere to put your rifle. Some shooting positions also rely on the sling for stability.
- Commercially made ghillie suits are usually terrible. You can make your own out of burlap and some substrate to attach it to, such as a net (by knotting) or some tough coveralls (by gluing or stitching). It's good to have one, though whether you use it or not depends on the mission and your role in it. Improve it as you learn.
- Get a radio and headset, learn how to use them. A sniper's primary role is reconnaissance, and the info you've gathered is worthless if you have to run all the way back to your teammates and deliver the news in person.
- Good BBs are utterly essential. You can be the best marksman in the world, with a million dollar rifle, but with poor quality ammo you're not going to hit a damn thing. Heavy weight (0.3g or more), tight tolerances (listed on the pack, ±0.01mm or tighter is desirable but you should check that with calipers if available).
- As for a rig, a vest is usually unnecessary. I use a battle belt with suspenders and a 2.5L hydration pack to carry my sidearm, radio, water, ammo etc.
- As always, good quality goggles (and particularly some anti-fog) are a must. If you can't see anything through all the fog in your eyes, you're not sniping.

Marksmanship
- Learn the basics of marksmanship; proper posture, grip, trigger control, followthrough, and breath control.
- Know your capabilities. You should be able to tell at an instant what shots you are guaranteed to hit, what shots you are guaranteed to miss, and which shots are kind of risky. Your camouflage buys you the opportunity to wait until you are guaranteed a hit, take advantage if it!

Camouflage
- Improve your attention to detail, as it is the skill that underpins every aspect of sniping, most importantly disguising yourself and detecting threats. In general, look at your surroundings and think "If I were a painter, how would I replicate that colour/texture/shape". The only warning of impending attack might be gone in an instant, you have to spot it before it's too late!
- Pure black is a colour that is very rare in nature, do everything you possibly can to avoid or disguise black objects on your person. Obviously this applies to your rifle and clothes, but less obviously it's just as important to disguise your footwear, because when you're prone your head is level with your boots. Choose brown leather boots with brown soles if possible.
- Green is certainly useful in camouflage, but be careful not to overuse it. If you're playing in a forest, the colours you see close to the ground are mostly brown (leaf litter) and greyish (tree trunks), except in the early spring when there is a lot of lush green undergrowth. A patch of brown in a green field is easy to overlook, but a patch of green on a brown field calls attention to itself.

Tactics
- Two pairs of eyes are better than one; travel with a spotter, who is camouflaged to a similar degree as you and equipped with an automatic rifle. Learn to work together and communicate discreetly. If shit hits the fan, cover each other as you fall back (you will do this a lot).
- When you have the luxury of choice, do not expose yourself unless you are certain you can either win or get away.
- Many places you may think are good to snipe from are actually terrible. Towers, hilltops, and other tall places draw attention to yourself. For the best compromise between visibility and security, I'd hide about half way up a hill if possible.
- Avoid isolated cover when possible. Again, it draws attention, and if you're discovered you have to cross open ground as you fall back.

That's all I've got off the top of my head, I've still probably missed a lot but that's good enough for now. Good hunting.

April 13th, 2014, 16:10	#8
Bellerophon Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Guelph, On	Didn't expect to write this much, but this is clearly an immense topic and I'm barely scratching the surface. You'll have to do a lot of your own research, but for now these are notes from my experience sniping, learned through trial and (mostly) error: Equipment - Get a reliable sidearm, and get very comfortable using it. Many fields won't let you use a high powered rifle unless you have a lower powered backup weapon to use within your minimum engagement distance. A good holster is essential, poor fitting or poorly attached holsters get annoying really fast. - Corollary to above: a decent sling for your rifle is essential. A sidearm isn't very useful if you have nowhere to put your rifle. Some shooting positions also rely on the sling for stability. - Commercially made ghillie suits are usually terrible. You can make your own out of burlap and some substrate to attach it to, such as a net (by knotting) or some tough coveralls (by gluing or stitching). It's good to have one, though whether you use it or not depends on the mission and your role in it. Improve it as you learn. - Get a radio and headset, learn how to use them. A sniper's primary role is reconnaissance, and the info you've gathered is worthless if you have to run all the way back to your teammates and deliver the news in person. - Good BBs are utterly essential. You can be the best marksman in the world, with a million dollar rifle, but with poor quality ammo you're not going to hit a damn thing. Heavy weight (0.3g or more), tight tolerances (listed on the pack, ±0.01mm or tighter is desirable but you should check that with calipers if available). - As for a rig, a vest is usually unnecessary. I use a battle belt with suspenders and a 2.5L hydration pack to carry my sidearm, radio, water, ammo etc. - As always, good quality goggles (and particularly some anti-fog) are a must. If you can't see anything through all the fog in your eyes, you're not sniping. Marksmanship - Learn the basics of marksmanship; proper posture, grip, trigger control, followthrough, and breath control. - Know your capabilities. You should be able to tell at an instant what shots you are guaranteed to hit, what shots you are guaranteed to miss, and which shots are kind of risky. Your camouflage buys you the opportunity to wait until you are guaranteed a hit, take advantage if it! Camouflage - Improve your attention to detail, as it is the skill that underpins every aspect of sniping, most importantly disguising yourself and detecting threats. In general, look at your surroundings and think "If I were a painter, how would I replicate that colour/texture/shape". The only warning of impending attack might be gone in an instant, you have to spot it before it's too late! - Pure black is a colour that is very rare in nature, do everything you possibly can to avoid or disguise black objects on your person. Obviously this applies to your rifle and clothes, but less obviously it's just as important to disguise your footwear, because when you're prone your head is level with your boots. Choose brown leather boots with brown soles if possible. - Green is certainly useful in camouflage, but be careful not to overuse it. If you're playing in a forest, the colours you see close to the ground are mostly brown (leaf litter) and greyish (tree trunks), except in the early spring when there is a lot of lush green undergrowth. A patch of brown in a green field is easy to overlook, but a patch of green on a brown field calls attention to itself. Tactics - Two pairs of eyes are better than one; travel with a spotter, who is camouflaged to a similar degree as you and equipped with an automatic rifle. Learn to work together and communicate discreetly. If shit hits the fan, cover each other as you fall back (you will do this a lot). - When you have the luxury of choice, do not expose yourself unless you are certain you can either win or get away. - Many places you may think are good to snipe from are actually terrible. Towers, hilltops, and other tall places draw attention to yourself. For the best compromise between visibility and security, I'd hide about half way up a hill if possible. - Avoid isolated cover when possible. Again, it draws attention, and if you're discovered you have to cross open ground as you fall back. That's all I've got off the top of my head, I've still probably missed a lot but that's good enough for now. Good hunting. __________________ Airsoft is where expensive things go to die.