Sniper Starter Kits

Sniper Starter Kits

So you want to get into sniping...

We frequently receive a lot of questions asking us how to start as a sniper in airsoft. Most interested people prefer a slower pace style of play, keeping distance and the stealthy aspects of the game or want to emulate their favorite YouTuber. Nothing is wrong with any of that, but you could easily spend hundreds of dollars on a sniper rifle, which can be bad if you are new to the idea and don't know what to expect. What if you spend all that money and it's not as cool as you thought? What if you were coming off a less expensive rifle and moved your way up to an expensive sniper rifle, and the performance was only marginally better? That would be a big disappointment and a waste of your hard-earned money.

These are the pitfalls of not doing enough research or simply not knowing enough about what is out there. And that's where we come in. Here at Fox, we made a few sniper rifle starter kits for those who want to take on the sniper role. We have a few rifle choices to match everyone's budget and get you in the right direction. If you've already had much experience with airsoft sniper rifles or think you're beyond looking at beginner-level stuff, these kits may not be for you. But if you want one as one of your first airsoft guns and want the essentials to get you going, you should consider this. In this blog, I'll cover the packages we offer, what each item does, and how to use them.

To keep it simple for our customers, we offer all of our sniper rifle starter kits with two tiers: the basic package and the complete package. The basic package includes a scope, bipod, heavyweight BBs, and sniper rifle. This is enough to get you started with being able to shoot the rifle. The complete package adds to that by giving you the safety equipment required to play at most fields at a discount versus buying everything separately.

 

BASIC PACKAGE - The Bare Essentials

Rifles

As of the publication of this blog, we offer sniper starter kits with three different rifles.

ASG TAC 6 - CO2-powered sniper rifle - The TAC 6 will be the only gas-powered rifle we offer with a package. This rifle is popular because of its ease of operation. Once loaded, all you do is pull the trigger to fire. The CO2 is stored in the grip, and the stick magazine is easy to load and swap. You will find this is the fastest way to shoot follow-up shots due to its semi-auto-like nature. This gun has a laser sight that is integrated into the body, which is a nice added feature for plinking on your targets (just do not shine it on people or animals). These airsoft rifles have hopup; however, it is fixed, so you won't be able to change your BB weight too much without affecting the range negatively. A 5-pack of CO2 is included for you to start with and is good for hundreds of shots. The TAC 6 is the only rifle in our packages that will require you to purchase "fuel" to make it operate, so be sure to factor that into your budget.

 

ASG M40A3 Sportline - bolt action spring sniper rifle - The ASG M40A3 Sportline is a popular choice due to its inexpensive price and unique looks. This rifle is spring powered, so you must cock the bolt before each shot. Spring action rifles are unsuited for younger players because they take some arm strength to operate. The hopup is adjustable on these rifles, and tight-bore barrels have some upgrade potential.

 

Classic Army M24 LTR - bolt action spring sniper rifle (top choice) - The CA M24 LTR is the top tier of sniper rifles for our kits and what we offer in general. These are a value at their price but built with serious players in mind. These are shooting similarly or a little harder compared to the other rifles in terms of velocity, but they are built tougher and better and have more upgrade potential built into them. These have great aftermarket support to upgrade your rifle and enhance your performance if you want to take it to the next step.

It is important to note that some of these rifles require assembly. If you are ever tightening the stock to the receiver of any sniper rifle, only hand tighten the bolts/screws. Over-tightening will strip out the threads, which are not covered under warranty.

 

Scopes

The scope currently packaged with our sniper kits is an LT 3-9x40mm. Magnification is adjustable from 3 times to 9 times power, and the objective lens is 40mm. Scope rings and tools are included to install the scope. You need to install the scope onto your gun when you receive your package. After that, you will adjust and shoot your gun until your scope matches the scope where your gun shoots. There are two knobs on the body of the scope that you will be adjusting. These are called turrets, and it may appear as an external knob that you can turn or a protected knob under a cap. On the LT scope, there is a cap, so you will unscrew the caps to expose the adjustments. By the way, this process of adjusting your scope is called "zeroing" your rifle. A common misconception is that you can simply install a scope, and it will immediately be correct and accurate to what you aim for. Sorry, guys, it isn't a video game and many factors are involved. Not to mention that every rifle shoots differently, so much so that moving one scope from one gun to another will mean the scope is not zeroed anymore. Now, we are ready to adjust your rifle to get it set up for play. First, shoot your gun with no scope and adjust the hopup so your flight path is as straight as possible to as far as you can see with the naked eye. Usually, this is about 175-200 feet before a non-upgraded gun's BB flight will start to taper off. For reference, an AEG might be good for 150-200 feet. After your hop is set, we move on to the scope.

So, for the actual act of zeroing your rifle, you will shoot and observe the path of your shots and where they hit and adjust the scope to match that. This will take patience, time, ammo, and a proper place within a distance. Be sure to shoot in a safe area for airsofting on a large personal property or a field. Ensure you have a proper backstop so your shots do not go past and hit something unintentionally. Back to zeroing the rifle, your scope has to knobs to adjust your scope. The side knob/turret on the scope is the windage adjustment. This controls the left and right adjustments of the scope. The top knob/turret is the elevation turret. This will control your scope's up-and-down (vertical) settings. The first way I would like to adjust is to do the windage, which is critical. Try to adjust on a clear day and not a windy one. Depending on your scope, each click of the knob can adjust anywhere from half an inch to more per click, so you will want to shoot and make coarse adjustments and then minor ones to finish off. Once your windage is set, your shot should align with the crosshair's vertical line. Now, we move on to adjusting the elevation. This one is pretty simple and is done like the windage; adjust your scope to match where the impact is now.

Click to see the ASG TAC M40A3 Sniper Kit

 

Bipod

You will also get a bipod that will help steady your shots when your rifle is rested on something, be it the floor or some cover. The bipod can fold out of the way when not in use, and the legs will adjust so you can shoot at different heights. These will greatly increase your hit potential, but if you find unnecessary weight at the front of your gun, you can ignore it. The TAC 6 and M40A3 will utilize a picatinny rail system to accept the ASG lightweight bipod, which slides on and locks in place. The Classic Army M24 LTR uses a bipod stud, which you will see more often. The aluminum bipod included in the CA M24's package grabs the stud, and then you tighten the nut on the bipod so it grabs tighter onto it.

 

BBs

Heavyweight airsoft bbs are essential to achieving your sniper rifle's or AEG's desired accuracy. You will want to experiment with different weights because using an excessively heavy BB on a gun that does not shoot very hard will shorten your range by quite a bit and be counterproductive. Soon, you will develop a preference for what you like to use.

Our packages offer a preselected weight to match the guns offered. The ASG TAC 6 will come with a bottle of .25 BBs, and the M40A3 and CA M24 LTR will come with .28 BBs. These are our recommended starting points, but you can try others. Guns with adjustable hop-ups can switch very easily between different weights.

Click to see the CA M24 Sniper Kit

 

COMPLETE PACKAGE - The other items you will need to actually play

Goggles

You will get a set of full-seale Z87 ANSII-rated goggles, which are the required impact ratings for eyewear considered safe for airsoft. If you use non-rated goggles, they could shatter, and anything not fully sealing your eyes means you risk BBs bypassing your goggles altogether. The other component of the complete kit is the mesh mask you wear with your eyewear.

 

Mesh Mask

The airsoft face mask will protect your lower face (more importantly, your teeth), but it is not as restrictive as wearing a fully covered mask or some sort of cover over your face. These being ventilated are popular in airsoft because you can maintain your safety but breathe much easier and without restriction. This is one of the most popular items for airsoft gear because this and the goggles will allow you to aim your rifle properly.

 

And that covers all the items you typically run when playing as a sniper in airsoft. Whether or not you enjoy it will depend on how well you know yourself as a player. If you aren't sure, at the low price we are asking, it is not a huge commitment to get into something you could have a blast at. For people uncertain of their play style, I recommend an AEG first because it will allow you to play in ways that we see are more common and versatile. But for those who know that they want to play the more precision shooting role that requires skill, patience, and more sneaking, this type of player will enjoy the sniper role. You should try one of our kits to get started in that direction. See you out there on the battlefield!

Click to see the Sniper Starter Kits

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the deadliest sniper?

The title of the deadliest sniper is often attributed to Simo Häyhä, a Finnish sniper who served during the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union. Häyhä is credited with over 500 confirmed kills, earning him the nickname "White Death" due to his ability to blend into the snowy environment and his lethal precision. His impressive record and stealth tactics have made him a legendary figure in military history.

What makes a sniper a sniper?

A sniper is defined by their specialized training and skill in marksmanship, camouflage, and reconnaissance. Snipers are trained to hit targets with precision from long distances, often using high-powered rifles equipped with advanced optics. They excel in stealth and patience, capable of remaining hidden for extended periods while observing and gathering intelligence. Their primary role is to eliminate high-value targets, provide reconnaissance, and support their units with accurate, long-range fire.

Why do snipers avoid headshots?

Snipers often avoid headshots because the head is a smaller, more mobile target compared to the torso. Aiming for the center mass, typically the chest, increases the likelihood of hitting the target and achieving a lethal shot. Additionally, a torso shot can incapacitate the target by damaging vital organs, even if it is not immediately fatal. In tactical situations, a reliable and consistent hit is more important than the dramatic effect of a headshot.

Is a sniper a rifle?

The term "sniper" refers to the shooter, not the rifle itself. However, a sniper rifle is a specific type of firearm designed for precision shooting at long ranges. Sniper rifles are typically equipped with high-powered optics, specialized barrels, and other enhancements to improve accuracy and range. These rifles are essential tools for snipers, enabling them to perform their role effectively.

Why is a sniper so powerful?

A sniper is considered powerful due to their ability to deliver accurate, long-range shots that can eliminate high-value targets with a single bullet. The combination of advanced training, superior marksmanship, and specialized equipment allows snipers to have a significant impact on the battlefield. Their capacity to gather intelligence and provide precision support makes them a force multiplier, often shaping the outcome of engagements and missions.

Do snipers use silencers?

Yes, snipers often use silencers, also known as suppressors, to reduce the noise and muzzle flash produced by their rifles. Suppressors help to conceal the sniper's position by minimizing the sound signature and visual flash of each shot. This stealth advantage is crucial for maintaining cover and avoiding detection by enemy forces. While suppressors do not make the rifle completely silent, they significantly reduce the audible and visible indicators of a sniper's presence, enhancing their effectiveness in the field.