"Snipers"

[Komissar]

I proposed the options to the team.

The decision of the team was that the only weapons allowed on the field with an fps greater than 400 will be bolt action rifles. Single shot bolt action sniper rifles.
In addition, the engagement distance will not be less than 100 feet.
Rifles set to semi-auto are not included in this allowance.

The explanation given was this:
A sniper, with that high powered of weapon, should be able to make their action count by a single shot.
The action of a semi-auto weapon is to put ammo down field until the target is eliminated, as fast as the operator can pull the trigger. This type of semi-auto action can be used to "walk" shots into the target, or sweep several targets in close proximity. Continued fire is also often the result of the operator not initially hitting the target. The result is that the operator's target may be hit repeatedly by a high powered weapon, in a action that resembles a Rifle Marksman rather than a "Sniper".
By limiting operators to weapons that are bolt action ensures that single intended aimed shots are being performed. The operator must make every shot count. The result of a miss is that the operator must chamber another shot, taking time to reload as well as reacquiring the target in his sights. The benefit awarded this type of operator is that the weapon they are using is allowed to fire at a greater fps to increase range. This extended range also benefits the sniping operator through concealment when the shot is taken at distance.

I do want to thank everyone for the inspiration which brought the opportunity for discussion to clarify this topic. It is something that needed to happen so that a clear understanding of the rule can be issued. Diamond Corps will continue to define a "standard" set of rules in accordance with the Airsoft community.

Although not up for debate, your opinion on this matter is still important.

"Few operators have the patience, skill, and equipment to properly perform the role of "sniper". - Opinion of one Operator.

Many of the operators on the Diamond Corps team have upgraded full length rifles (510mm barrel length or greater). I often describe these as "long rifles", to differentiate them from carbines (which are generally around 363mm in barrel length).
Of the AEGs Kattiana owns, one is a scoped, upgraded CA25 with a 651mm barrel. It fires both semi and full auto, holding over 400 rounds in the magazine. She likes to "nest" in cover and kill her targets with single or double shots at distances over 220 feet. She is an exceptional "rifleman". Where she this proficient in the USMC she would be a "Marksman".

I leave you this example as basis for your comparison. Thank you.

[FAL-Cody- AKA CptPackrat]

Komissar said:

There is a reason the military runs teams, and it works for Airsoft too.

I agree 100%, but like Phoenix said, if you cant trust your spotter then might as well do things yourself... ive had more than 1 instance where my spotter hasnt followed orders and got us into a mess...those messes wouldnt have happend if the spotter would have followed orders, or if i had been by myself carrying out the mission...

Spotters are effective if they follow whats asked and if you trust them...unless you train and work with them nonstop then you cant have a trust bond...

[Tank]

i agree with both Phoenix and Komissar. on larger fields the spotter would be sitting there twiddling his thumbs while looking through the bonoculars but on Draex field they would be hustling and doing diversions and baiting tactics and it is cool that Packrat is a sniper with a bolt action and takes his time and is not like a fake "sniper" who just does long range shots

[FAL-Cody- AKA CptPackrat]

I havent played on DRAEX yet but from everything Ive heard and seen about this field is that it is non stop action...Im hoping to see what its like on the 9th... a sniper may not be as effective if theres large amounts of action...at which point the Bolt actions take the backseat and the AEGs come out to play...As a bolt action player I understand that im always outgunned...One of the old fields near my house was extremly open with lots of high altitude sniping areas, low brush, and long sniping ranges...traditional sniping tactics worked very well there... Were as with the new field I play, if you dont have someone to either be at imediate help you will be eliminated...

What I got from wikipedia:
A sniper or marksman is a highly trained marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles. In addition to marksmanship, military snipers are also trained in camouflage, field craft, infiltration, reconnaissance and observation techniques

Another thing I havent seen metioned yet was fieldcraft...Its very helpfull and the #1 thing I truely rely on...some fields a ghillie suit comes in handy, others it would be pointless to bring it out because it would hinder movement...I have hand built a Ghillie suit and used it to great use( had people walk within a foot or so of me then sit down next to me)... I would like to talk a little more and see what other veiws are...

[Sproket]

Komissar said:

There is a reason the military runs teams, and it works for Airsoft too.

I just wrote a rant on the BAAL forum about snipers. One thing I suggested for making the sniper/spotter team work is to have these restrictions -
snipers shoot over 500 fps, have 100'+ MED
sniper pistol engagement is 'surrender' only, meaning within 25' or so

That means they REALLY want their spotter.

The thing is, real snipers have no iron sights, and have 10x mag. scopes. So, no, they can't acquire moving targets at 100' by themselves - they need spotters or another weapon.

[Komissar]

Again, well written Sprocket.
I like the suggestions, we'll see if it sticks!

[Tank]

right on the money

Sproket said:

Komissar said:

There is a reason the military runs teams, and it works for Airsoft too.

I just wrote a rant on the BAAL forum about snipers. One thing I suggested for making the sniper/spotter team work is to have these restrictions -
snipers shoot over 500 fps, have 100'+ MED
sniper pistol engagement is 'surrender' only, meaning within 25' or so

That means they REALLY want their spotter.

The thing is, real snipers have no iron sights, and have 10x mag. scopes. So, no, they can't acquire moving targets at 100' by themselves - they need spotters or another weapon.

[The Dwarf]

I will make my comments short. Firstly; different army's deploy snipers differently. There are some slavic countrys that deploy snipers as "lone wolfs", but like the Austrailians, they deploy snipers in 4 to 5 man teams. The US has even started going to a couple of different types of snipers, there are the traditional open-ground snipers, and then there are the close support marksman, who are usually armed with a semi auto sniper rifle but set in the urban setting. In the game of airsoft, snipers shoot 300 feet, in the real world, snipers can engage at up to 1500meters in some instances. Range is terrain and weapon type dependant, we can not even close in airsoft to really being able to differentiate these things. Should a bolt action sniper rifle be allowed to be over 400fps? No. As most of you know, I like to play the "sniper"ish type, but in actuallity, all I am playing is a scout, using a guille suite just adds to my concealment. The safety issue is what is the biggest for me, I don't want to get hit by a 600fps bolt action at 101 feet. Mass times Velocity squared = suck. If you want to be a "sniper", then get a guille suite and start using cover and concealment and single shots to kill your targets, don't give a guy/girl a big @$$ fps weapon and expect them to be any better. Just be better and 50 feet of engagement range won't make any difference. I believe that limiting the arms race makes better players, or else I will just get a tennis ball machine and act like a 105mm. howitzer. Become a better player, learn to use what you have better, know how to work with others, use tactics and teamwork. These things will overcome any sniper sitting in a nest. Suppress and eliminate. Bla Bla Bla.....ok I am done for now....

[SCRAMBLE]

kept is short....................

[The Dwarf]

ok, so I could have just said, "I can get low fps (550fps) rounds for my .22 but do you really want to be hit by it....lol"

[Tank]

yeah i really wouldn't that would suck..... you do have a point i think that everyone was talking about under 500 fps though i do agree with you in every aspect about using what you got and with the 300 ft thing if you have a long rifle that shoots about 400fps with .25 you should be able to hit something at 200 ft. easy maybe 300