Become an Expert Sniper in Airsoft! [Essential Guide]

Being a sniper is one of the most researched and revered roles in the Airsoft community. Nearly everyone I talk to regarding Airsoft seems to have been, or aspires to be, a sniper at some point in their Airsoft journey.

There is the usual multitude of reasons that sniping is regarded so highly; from video games’ awesome factor to movies where a sniper plays a prominent role in an action packed thriller. This blinded view from the movies, while compelling people to play, does not tell the whole story.

There is a lot more to becoming a successful Airsoft sniper, and I’m going to break it down for you in this article. So you don’t have to work as hard, instead you can play harder!

Becoming an Airsoft sniper is an acquired role which carries a whole host of responsibilities, which generally means more experienced players choose to be snipers. That being said, if you are a beginner, there is no reason that being a sniper is not your calling – a sniper has to be competent, aware of their surroundings and it is vital that they are always alert on the field.

This leads us on to the second role which can be divided into two parts- gathering intel and infiltrating enemy lines. In gathering intel, the sniper is able to provide information on the enemy’s weaknesses, strengths and areas of access. Without this intel it may be difficult for the team to know what they are faced against.

And finally, yes, I’m onto the part where you actually get to shoot.  A sniper’s role can also include eliminating high value targets – which is self-explanatory but extremely useful to the team.

It is true that the majority of the roles played by snipers don’t reflect the movie-esque nature that springs to mind when the word is first mentioned, but all of these roles are important for keeping your Airsoft team well oiled and working together.

As I mentioned previously, to be a good sniper you must be aware of your surroundings; this includes laying low, patiently observing and exploring further to find out more information.

Observing has to go beyond simple surveyance, however, it can also include prioritizing targets, gathering information on how enemies are positioned and deciding on the best routes of approach.

It is also important that you gauge the most effective target to hit depending on the situation, for example: hitting a team leader could cause disorientation within the team compared to hitting any random player.

Exploration can often be carried out before the game. To understand the best places to stay hidden, snipers must study the terrain and aerial maps which can help navigate escape routes and ambush points.

You can generally print recent maps from the websites and if they are unavailable, Google Maps can also be used as a good resource for gauging the surroundings. It is vital that this is carried out to make sure you and the team have a plan.

As a final resort, you can also ask the site’s marshals to explore the field before the game, it is vital that this is carried out to make sure at least have a basic understanding of the layout.

Generally it’s a rule of thumb that higher prices provide better quality of rᎥfle. Although that is true in some cases, it doesn’t mean that you need to be paying extravagant prices for a sniper rᎥfle that will ultimately turn you into Vasily Zaitsev in an instance.

Start relatively simple on the rᎥfle and remember it takes more than just the rᎥfle alone to become a good sniper- it takes dedication and practice.

Read More: if you’re not sure where to start looking, we’ve included two great sniper rᎥfles in our ‘Top 5 Airsoft Replicas for Beginners’ which includes specs, features, performance and more! 

“This is my rᎥfle! There are many like it, but this one is mine!”

‘Full Metal Jacket’

Regardless of your choice in rᎥfle, make sure you do your research- yes, the rᎥfle has to be suited to you, and you have to feel at home using it but don’t make the mistake of choosing one only based on looks.

The rᎥfle that you choose will be an investment; so whether it’s spring, gas or standard, read the reviews, ask about the rᎥfle or message us directly through the contact form, facebook or instagram!

Below I’ve listed some more sniper rᎥfles that may be just what you’re looking for, it’s not an exhaustive list so remember to keep digging!

1. Tokyo Marui VSR-10

2. Silverback SRS

3. SSG-24 (Novritsch)

4. Amoeba Striker S1

5. UTG Shadow Ops MK96

There’s more to knowing your rᎥfle than just good fit. You must also understand how to maintain it after use and potentially upgrade if necessary. Not taking good care of your rᎥfle could result in increased tear and wear.  Grease and Oil are budget friendly so make sure to take care of your baby regularly! However, upgrades can cost a fair bit of money, so when buying your rᎥfle be sure to look into additional costs that match your overall budget.

If a gas-powered sniper rᎥfle is your rᎥfle of choice, I personally would recommend avoiding both Green Gas and CO2 systems and simply upgrade to HPA (High Pressured Air) system from the get go! It is cheaper to maintain in the long run, creates less hassle and is not affected by temperature thus always providing consistent results!

Gas rᎥfles are a blast to shoot as they provide recoil – but they also require regular maintenance.

Of course, it goes without saying that all the sniper rᎥfles that can be used have their positive and negative points and you should choose the replica that fits you and your budget best. Remember, beauty is only skin deep – look beyond how the rᎥfle looks and review how it actually works!

I’m not going to go into too much detail here about ballistics as it can easily get complicated, but I am going to try and give you some tips in terms of aiming techniques.

Take note that while you may have the best aim in the world, certain factors will always affect your accuracy such as wind and BB weight.

For consistent shooting make sure you tune your hop-up to your chosen BB weight and keep practicing to get used to your rᎥfle! Initially, start at a chosen distance (e.g. 50m) that you feel comfortable shooting at and progressively increase the distance the more accurate your aim becomes.

You cannot expect to have excellent aim the minute you handle your rᎥfle; practice makes perfect! 

Read More: we recommend using a minimum of 0.36g up to 0.50g BBs for your sniper rᎥfles; however if you’d like to learn more about why and optimal weight for your specific replica,  click here for a more detailed breakdown of BB weights!

While a sniper’s main choice will always be the rᎥfle, it is always good practice to carry a secondary pᎥstol or sometimes even a third back-up replica. This comes as a result of the power of most sniper rᎥfles (max. 500 FPS) and close quarter engagement limits; most sites will require snipers to use their secondary (max. 350 FPS) under 20/30 metres.

A silenced pᎥstol as a back-up is always recommended, but again, it is important to do your research in respect to your preferences.

I would highly recommend the Tokyo Marui MK23 which provides silent perfection with long ranged shots. However, if you have a preference for a smaller secondary you could use something like Glock 19 or Glock 26.

When you first get your airsoft gear, be sure to break it in to ensure maximum comfort when wearing it out on the field. Chances are, you are going to be in tough situations that require patience and the last thing you need is gear that is tight in the wrong places. Practice walking through airsoft fields, if given the opportunity, to gauge how quietly or nimbly you can work across the terrain.

The most important part of your gear is the camouflage. It should of course match the setting that you’re playing in; if possible remember to adapt it to different seasons and settings.

Read More: to see our in-depth guide on utilising camouflage correctly for whatever terrain is thrown at you – click here!

Ghillie suits are the most common camouflage for snipers and are often available from most airsoft retailers with a variety of camouflage patterns available.

The suit has three purposes when worn by the sniper; to allow them to blend into their surroundings well, allow them to use grass and surrounding undergrowth to their advantage and simply stay hidden.

To make best use of the suits, you must also learn how to move stealthily and without alerting others. If you cannot move quietly, there is a high chance of giving your position away and jeopardising your advantage.

Make sure to stick low to the ground and move slowly through the undergrowth as much as possible, be patient and remain silent to maximise effectiveness.

As an airsoft sniper you must plan your steps ahead, especially after revealing your position. Scoping out the area, as mentioned previously, to understand where the enemy is and what your next move should be, is vital. Make use of your surroundings and current climate, such as moving into a better position of concealment where there is more undergrowth and more shade.

If you select a position, think of ways that you could escape – and I would always recommend finding more than one route. Planning ahead in the sniper’s position is essential and if you’re ever compromised, an escape plan (played out correctly), just may help you reach safety and cover.

This section won’t have a lot to it and I don’t want to repeat myself. But I will, just this once for you guys.

Practice, practice, practice!

A big part of getting better at a particular role and making use of the money you invested into your rᎥfle and gear is simply to practice; whether it be practicing aiming and firing, planning your escape routes and playing them out or simply wearing your camouflage suits. Every little bit helps to make you that much more of a sniper.

Remember, you will have to get comfortable with using your rᎥfle and adapt to any field you play at but using the tips I’ve just given you should make it just that little bit easier.

Also don’t forget to practice everything evenly – including your pᎥstol, although a big part of being a sniper is to only use your rᎥfle at a correct time thus eliminating any close encounters. The vigilance, the observation and the shooting will all come with time and practice!

Before you leave, make sure to check out the rest of our guides by clicking here! 

Finally, I will leave you all with my words of wisdom; if you’re a beginner to the role of a sniper, research is your key ingredient and practice is your fuel. Happy hunting!