Poll: I want a sniper rifle what should I get

[Baby Tea]

Wanting to shoot for recreation does not make someone a crazy mass murderer. Shooting a large, powerful gun feels awesome in the same way that driving really fast in a sports car feels awesome.

Extremely well put.
A friend of mine recently had a baby-shower for his new baby girl, so while the women were all at the house opening gifts, the husbands and new dad all piled in the back of a pickup, drove out to the fields, set up a target, and had a fun competition shooting .22s from 50 yards out. It was a butt-load of fun.

Then my friend's Dad says 'Well, who wants to try this?' and pulls out a .303 Lee Enfield from WW1. Not a replica, the real deal. Firing that thing was just incredible. I still have the shells!

Some people might not get why I loved it so much, but I don't get why those same people freak out over a Porche (or some other fast car), or a crazy fast computer, or a fighter-jet, or a motorbike. Firing that .303 was amazing to me. My left ear was ringing, my right ear was deaf for a few seconds, my aim was way off the target, but dang if wasn't as cool hell.

Now, though I love guns, I'm not interested in getting a handgun (Though I've fired a 9mm at a range, and it was freaking sweet) or any other 'restricted' weapon (That's what we call 'em in Canada). But I'd love to get myself a varmint rifle (Target shooting...and varmints), a 12 gauge (hunting), and a simple little .22 rimshot for squirrels and small raccoons.

A love for guns is no more weird then a love for fast cars.
Both are impractical to the average person, and both can seriously hurt someone if you're stupid.
But I still love 'em.

More on topic: I'd go with something more practical then a .50 cal myself, but that's me.

 

[Gilhelmi]

I would also like to point out how ridiculous the people seeking to ban .50 sporting rifle are. Just listen to this New Yorker:


Heat seeking bullets?! Well now I have seen everything! She's right in one respect, you cannot hunt deer with it. Well, you could, but I don't think it is legal. I haven't looked at maximum caliber restrictions in Kansas, but you can in fact hunt large game with a .50.

A .50cal rifle is in fact PERFECT for hunting the following large game found in the U.S.:

Bear (Grizzly, black, Kodiak)
Elk
Moose
Bison

And that's not even every large game animal that a hunter can hunt. If I was to include large game animals found in Africa, a .50 would seem even more suitable as a hunting round!

dang, I wish the politicians would at least look up some definitions before the press conferences. Incendiary device is not heat seeking, it is a tracer round (it glows when fired so you can see its trajectory).

I agree, there is a lot one can hunt with large caliber rifles.

You should only be judging on range/power if you plan on using it. What's with the American fetish for guns anyway?

A fetish is a sexual desire that is not main stream, I do not want to have sex with a gun. As for why they are so big in the US, we fought 2 wars to get our independence from the British (using guns), we settled the west (using guns to get our food and to protect ourselves).

As said before

Wanting to shoot for recreation does not make someone a crazy mass murderer. Shooting a large, powerful gun feels awesome in the same way that driving really fast in a sports car feels awesome.

Extremely well put.

Some people might not get why I loved it so much, but I don't get why those same people freak out over a Porche (or some other fast car), or a crazy fast computer, or a fighter-jet, or a motorbike. Firing that .303 was amazing to me. My left ear was ringing, my right ear was deaf for a few seconds, my aim was way off the target, but dang if wasn't as cool hell.

Now, though I love guns, I'm not interested in getting a handgun (Though I've fired a 9mm at a range, and it was freaking sweet) or any other 'restricted' weapon (That's what we call 'em in Canada). But I'd love to get myself a varmint rifle (Target shooting...and varmints), a 12 gauge (hunting), and a simple little .22 rimshot for squirrels and small raccoons.

A love for guns is no more weird then a love for fast cars.
Both are impractical to the average person, and both can seriously hurt someone if you're stupid.
But I still love 'em.

 

[Vorlayn]

And 'no guns' is not safer, as most gun deaths are crimes using UNREGISTERED guns by criminals that, by definition, WILL NOT obey the murder laws or the gun ban laws. Banning guns will have the same effect as banning weed. It will line the criminal's pocket's smuggling MORE Weapons (or weed)into the country, this time supplying normal homeowners who still want guns(or weed) AS WELL AS criminals.

Not true. America has one of the highest death rates due to guns of any country in the civilized world. Link:
http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/GUNS/GUNSTAT.html
Since the countries with strict gun laws have less deaths due to guns, gun laws seem to make a country safer. It's not only criminals that use guns to kill. Think about hunting deaths, kids playing with daddy's handgun, a bad relationship fight with a gun in reach...plenty more scenarios like that.

 

[CaptainKoala]

Dear Kansas,

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Sincerely,
Kpt. Rob

What? What happened to the right to bear arms?

There is a difference between having the right to bear arms, and saying "hey, everyone should be able to carry any weapon they want." There some weapons which a civilian really doesn't need to be carrying, and sniper rifles fall into that category big time. As a general rule I would say that if a normal person would not use it to hunt, you probably don't need it in your house.

I definitely see your point, and I would agree with you 100% if it weren't for one fact:
When America's founders wrote the 2nd Amendment, the terminology of the word 'arms', back then, meant military grade weapons. Also, the purpose of the 2nd amendment was not for hunting. According to the founding fathers, the 2nd amendment was to protect the people if the government got out of control.
Also, the 2nd amendment is arguably what won the war with Japan in the 40's. Japan was going to invade America along the west coast. The only reason they decided not to is the fact that most civilians had guns.

Am I saying that we should have the right to all own Howitzers in our backyard? Certainly not! That's completely ridiculous. But I think that the idea of banning all non-hunting guns in just wrong. Because that's not what the founders meant when they wrote the amendment.

 

[CaptainKoala]

I want to get a new sniper rifle

Which one should I get?

The Barrett M82A1 50 Cal. - Overpowered, maybe. But that engine block 2 miles away needs to be destroyed. ($2 per round)(retails for $3200) http://www.vincelewis.net/rifle.html

The Bravo51 7.62x51mm - Much more sane in power. Highly accurate and a lot cheaper to fire than 50 Cal ($0.50 per round). Also the rifle itself is cheaper. (retails for $1200) http://www.snipercentral.com/bravo51.htm

These are the 2 main ones I am looking at but any American sniper rifle might go on the list that I will look at. http://www.snipercentral.com/rifles.htm

I am 26 years old and all of these are legal in the state of Kansas.

EDIT: Many have pointed out that good 50 cal round cost $7.50 or more. I was looking at the cheap rounds by mistake. Also I probably will load (make) my own ammo.

Why get a sniper?

Why not? He can, it's America.

He can do alot of things, I'm asking why. Everything needs a reason, even if its just a matter of "When the Zombie apocalypse hits..." or "so I can go to the shooting range", whatever.

I already answered this exact argument.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.200587-Poll-I-want-a-sniper-rifle-what-should-I-get?page=6#6617346

 

[Rhymenoceros]

You don't need to shoot through armour (hopefully) so don't bother buying a .50 cal.

Also-why do you need a sniper rifle at all? Are you a terrorist?

 

[KaiRai]

What the hell is in Kansas that needs a .50 round to take it down!?

I'd get an L115A1 British sniper rifle myself. Then again I am biased. But still, longest range kill on record....

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Dear Kansas,

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Sincerely,
Kpt. Rob

What? What happened to the right to bear arms?

There is a difference between having the right to bear arms, and saying "hey, everyone should be able to carry any weapon they want." There some weapons which a civilian really doesn't need to be carrying, and sniper rifles fall into that category big time. As a general rule I would say that if a normal person would not use it to hunt, you probably don't need it in your house.

I definitely see your point, and I would agree with you 100% if it weren't for one fact:
When America's founders wrote the 2nd Amendment, the terminology of the word 'arms', back then, meant military grade weapons. Also, the purpose of the 2nd amendment was not for hunting. According to the founding fathers, the 2nd amendment was to protect the people if the government got out of control.
Also, the 2nd amendment is arguably what won the war with Japan in the 40's. Japan was going to invade America along the west coast. The only reason they decided not to is the fact that most civilians had guns.

Am I saying that we should have the right to all own Howitzers in our backyard? Certainly not! That's completely ridiculous. But I think that the idea of banning all non-hunting guns in just wrong. Because that's not what the founders meant when they wrote the amendment.

I've heard this argument made before, and you're perfectly right from a constitutional point of view, that said, the reason the founders made the second ammendment apply to military grade weapons is not applicable anymore. You can own all the sniper rifles and automatic weapons you want, but the government is going to have bigger guns. We are past a point in time at which it would be possible for a civilian militia to overthrow the government, because like you said, civilians shouldn't have Howitzers. We also shouldn't have bombs, attack fighters, or any of the other heavy duty shit that the government now has. And unless civilians are armed with those items as well, it is rediculous to think that civilians, no matter what guns they have, would be able to overthrow the government in the event the government becomes out of control. I think we need to choose between a civilian body armed with weapons that could actually overthrow a government (and that is not an option that I, personally speaking, would support) or a civilian body that is armed only with weapons that could be used either for hunting or possibly for home defense. Given the second option, which I will restate my support for, it is unreasonable for civilians to own sniper rifles or other military grade weapons.

 

[Desaari]

B51, if you want an actual sniper's rifle. The M82A1 "light 50" is an anti-materiel rifle, and is also semi-automatic, id est generally less accurate at range. The Bravo51 is a cheaper rifle, with cheaper ammunition plus it has a bolt action. Besides, what could you possibly need a .50cal for?

 

[jdun]

Isnip

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snip

I already live in western Kansas (90 miles from a moderate sized town and nothing in between) and my fallback location is even farther in the middle of nowhere.

I do need to start using more match grade ammo, I think thats why my aim is off from time-to-time.

I did edit my last post to add some more detail. Here it is if you missed it.

-----------------
This is what my survival get out of dodge kit looks like. Lots of fuel for the car. Make sure it is properly store in the home so it won't burn down the house. Bag of clothing. Bag of medical supply (first aid kit, trauma kit, etc) and common tools (knife, folk, spoon, plate, pan, paper, pen, maps, screw driver, etc) in it. Couple of bag of can food that should last the family for a week or more. Several cases of bottle water. Total cost should be around $300, for me anyway.

It is also assumed that you should have at least one firearm for protection with enough ammo (4 to 7 magazines).

Make sure you have a vehicles that is large enough to carry those supplies with your family and pets. One more note. Trauma kit is vital ($30-$75). You should have at least one. Make sure you learn how to use it.
------------------

The biggest mistake I made was over thinking it. Keep it simple and get out of dodge when the time comes.

All you need is more training and someone to teach you to be an accurate shooter. You can start with David Tubbs videos. He is considered the best marksman alive.

http://www.davidtubb.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLXc4sK8fOI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kRK05NcAO8

For AR-15 you might want to try Magpul Dynamics The Art of the Tactical Carbine.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XMAGDyn001&groupid=62
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye30b3TL5wI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJQTpTljLz8

I have a good bug-out kit set up. Mine does not assume that my vehicle will run (In event of a Nuclear nation detonating a device 25 miles above the Earth, electronics will be fried for a area of 2000 mile diameter. I have MRE's and water to last 2 months. My bug-out kit is more of a 'fallback' location that I keep secret so if an enemy nation does invade I can mount an armed resistance.

I wish there was a good pro (or at least neutral) Government Militia. I never did like the anti government ones.

Trust me no one going to invade our country. Not the Mexicans and not the pinko Canadians. We live between two great bodies of ocean. No countries other than the USA have the experience and capability to maintain a constant supply to the troops on the ground.

Other than natural disaster the only other think I can think off is civil war. It is a pipe dream to think foreign nation(s) invade the USA.

Militia isn?t a good place to get your firearm training. Most government sponsor militia is made up of ex military people in their 50+ taking about their youth every other weekend. Great people but you won?t get any trigger time with them. None government militia guys shoot a couple of rounds, than watch football and drink for the rest of the day. You won?t get that much trigger time with them.

Your best bet is to try to join a Gun Club in your area. Most Gun Club has their own private range for their members. The majority of the members are good shooters. For example we have a large number of our members complete at the national level in pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Our range is open 24/7 to the members. Every member has a key to the range.

Go check the internet to see what type of gun competition is in your local area. Most gun competitions are run by Gun Clubs on behave of the NRA, IDPA, IPSC, USPSA, etc. There you can meet a lot of people that can help you improve your shooting. People that complete at those levels tend to shoot a lot and are very experience.

Try to find 3 gun match. Those are very fun to be in because they use pistol, rifle, and shotgun in their course. It can range from 7 feet all the way over 300 yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EShuG_jKPQ8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xt4SONuwys&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZBJ1NKCaBI&feature=related

You own an AR15 which is the most accurate mass produce semi rifle in the world. A standard AR using match ammo will give you sub 1 MOA at 100 yards. Match AR15 rifles can give you sub .5 MOA. And if you?re good enough you can make hits well beyond 800 yards like this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9NkQldeu0&feature=related

If you still want a bolt action rifle. Get either the Savage 10FP or Rem 700 SPS. You can upgrade the standard stock to McMillan and a $400+ match barrel later on. Both rifles in standard config is rated 1 MOA or less. No need to wasted money on sub .25MOA barrel if you can?t take advantage of it. All you doing is wear out that nice expensive barrel in your training

http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-stocks-tactical-stock-list.php#mchale

 

[Spiner909]

You should go get a weapon's license. Lol.

 

[slopeslider]

And 'no guns' is not safer, as most gun deaths are crimes using UNREGISTERED guns by criminals that, by definition, WILL NOT obey the murder laws or the gun ban laws. Banning guns will have the same effect as banning weed. It will line the criminal's pocket's smuggling MORE Weapons (or weed)into the country, this time supplying normal homeowners who still want guns(or weed) AS WELL AS criminals.

Not true. America has one of the highest death rates due to guns of any country in the civilized world. Link:
http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/GUNS/GUNSTAT.html
Since the countries with strict gun laws have less deaths due to guns, gun laws seem to make a country safer. It's not only criminals that use guns to kill. Think about hunting deaths, kids playing with daddy's handgun, a bad relationship fight with a gun in reach...plenty more scenarios like that.

I don't even feel like answering this again. Just read my previous post dude, I'm not typing a thousand words again...