[gonzo454]

Yes…Snipe hunters…originally called snipers…were in the habit of making long accurate shots (due to the size and spooky nature of the bird)…as accurate long distance shooters were employed on the field of battle they “inherited” the title sniper, in order to symbolize their skill and proficiency with their firearm.

http://www.ultimatesniper.com/
http://www.snipercentral.com/index.phtml

there are a couple of additional web resources

[USMC0332]

My guess would be that he was looking for a 'tactical' type of rifle. I would also like to have a rifle in this category. I at this time see little need for me to sneak around wearing a ghillie suit in pursuit of 2-legged deer, but I sure could have a lot of fun busting clays, paper, and possibly deer with a rifle like this. If you search in the surplusrifle.com sporterizing section there was a thread showing rifles with camo jobs. FMsniper has done some awesome jobs on rifles of all types, and specialises in tactical rifles.

I do not mean to complain, but I think we all knew what he was looking for. Why do we have to be so politically correct as to make a big deal out of him asking for a sniper rifle. It isn't like he was asking for trajectory charts for .308 from bell tower heights. I do not mean to offend and I am sorry if I have done so.

[Oxford]

This being a gun and game forum...we should be able to talk about all types of legal guns...and game...and as far as I know that is the case.

[SPOCAHP ANAR]

Quote:       Originally Posted by USMC0332

I do not mean to complain, but I think we all knew what he was looking for. Why do we have to be so politically correct as to make a big deal out of him asking for a sniper rifle. It isn't like he was asking for trajectory charts for .308 from bell tower heights. I do not mean to offend and I am sorry if I have done so.

It's the same as if he'd ask us for a semi auto assault weapon. It has nothing to do with political correctness and has everything to do with correctly describing what he wanted.

And as I said it was just a gripe of mine.

Quote:       Originally Posted by USMC0332

I at this time see little need for me to sneak around wearing a ghillie suit....

Doesn't everyone do this or am I the only one?

[BattleRifleG3]

Quote:       Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

Now defending our nation, homes, and families against all foes foreign and domestic is of course a priority. But if you're going to get enough practice with your rifle to be any good defending your country, you're going to have to use it recreationally. Unless you're in a militia (beyond being a privately armed American) you probably won't be learning any "sniping" techniques, just the regular tried and true shooting of targets and game animals.

Quote:       Originally Posted by jellydonut

You make being in a militia sound like a bad thing.. per the Constitution, every able-bodied man of 18yrs old and older is automatically in the militia, correct? So, by default, everyone SHOULD know sniping techniques. I'm with Gonzo.

Note the line "Unless you're in a militia (beyond being a privately armed American)..." I was recognizing the legitimacy of being part of a Constitutionally organized militia as well as being part of the "unorganized militia", which is every man able to bear arms.

Now if they said "sniper/target rifle" or "sniper/varmint rifle" or something like that I wouldn't have had any flags go up in my mind. But when someone asks what a good and inexpensive sniper rifle is without any more specifications, I think such a person needs to learn a little bit more than just the answer to his question. This is said with the utmost respect to people who ask honest questions with the best intentions, but the fact is that sometimes the answer is different from the type you were expecting.

[gonzo454]

Well almost all questions, almost particularly in a forum, leave them selves open to interpretation, however I personally see no cause for concern when someone asks for a “Sniper” rifle…the only real issue is, I have different expectations from a “Sniper” rifle. But, what I do suspect is that the question, being asked in such a manner, will illicit responses from all ends of the spectrum. I expect the individual will inadvertently learn more than just the answer to their question…but I would also not expect all of the answers they receive to fall in line with what they intended to ask. Ask the right question and you get the answers you seek, however I see no cause for concern people will do what they do and by with holding information you can not adjust that outcome, there is always someone willing to impart knowledge, no matter how appropriate. At any rate I detected no reason to be more interested, nor concerned than normal in the query. “Sniper rifle” is a very loosely used term that many use just to indicate their rifle is “Accurate”, at least to their standards. Truly, we have no idea what the standards the requester seeks are, so we all give our best advice, if I have followed the thread correctly a rifle accurate out to 5 to 600 yard is what the interest centers around, in my book that is not a “Sniper rifle” just a mid range rifle of acceptable accuracy. We all took the term “Sniper rifle” to mean what ever WE thought it should mean…the question that (if I understand the WHOLE situation) should have been asked is:

What is a good, inexpensive and accurate mid range rifle, preferably in the 2 MOA or less area with a range of up to 600 yards.

This is the way I read the thread…not the initial question.

[BattleRifleG3]

2moa or less would include a heck of a lot of rifles and a heck of a lot of suitable cartridges. Decent energy at 500yds narrows it a bit, but still leaves a great many choices.

Here's the thing - a hunting rifle would most likely need to be carried a bit, and when shooting at an animal, recoil would be one of the last concerns. A middle weight to lightweight bolt action should serve well, with the Remington 700 as a middle standard. A target rifle puts accuracy above all else, there's no such thing as too much, and it will often be a bit heavy, both to tame recoil over repeated shooting, and to have the stiffest barrel. There are a number of ways to try to get the best of both, often costing a bit.

My thoughts here are that a rifle left on the rack for the much talked about "SHTF" day is no good. The rifle that will be useful to defend one's home and country will be the same one the shooter gets plenty of practice and true (not false) confidence with.

My father has commented that car dealers frequently don't sell cars, but ego trips on wheels. I think alot of people know what I mean when I say that sometimes having a particular gun can be little more than an ego trip. So part of my critical thoughts here are to make sure that we acknowledge the difference.

[ninwnc]

This has been an interesting thread. The opinions expressed were all interesting, and seemed to have been honestly expressed.

Well Done!

Nick

[justpr1ck]

Quote:       Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

8mm has at least as much sniper history as 303, and much more than 338 or 300 Win Mag. If you mean to use standardized match ammo though, I would stick to 308, 30-06, or 300 Win Mag. Use anything else and you'll either have to handload for max accuracy or find some commercial ammo that does great in a particular rifle. Regarding camo, it may be most practical to pick whatever rifle you want and then paint it cammo. A used rifle may be a good choice, that way you wouldn't be paying for a factory finish that you'd paint over anyway.

Although the 8mm does have more history than the .338, the .338 is arguably the most accurate long range rifle around today. It has an effective range of 1600 meters, and with the right shooter, ammo, scope and such 2000 meters is well within reach. But 1200 meters can be expected from the average sniper. Ammo is another thing, match grade accurate ammo is hard to find. I would agree about the cammo paint, or even more practical tape.

Good accurate and cheap? Hard. The .338 is around a 1500+ dollars, normally without a scope.

Same for a good .308. Heres a site I like alot for good rifles. www.ableammo.com

[meatloaf]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Dale

Who you trying to scare or impress? I'm with Pha on this one....and, btw, isn't Maryland where Malvo did his sniping from the trunk of a car? A large ego will get you in trouble faster than lack of common sense. I'd better not say any more on this subject.

Oh come on who doesnt like a sexy dressed up rifle. I have a few and their for my enjoyment. Hell thats usualy what jumps out at me when I decide if I want to buy a rifle. If it looks cool then I want it. However before y'all start dogging me I do research on the gun first before I decide tp purchase it.

[absolutetruth]

Looking for an inexpensive sniper type rifle. Want to spend a thousand to couple thousand usd. Also want something that is easy to get ammo for

[SPOCAHP ANAR]

Well atleast you said sniper "type" rifle.
Have you considered getting a mauser and having it reworked by a gunsmith. Could surely be done for less than the 1000 you are willing to spend.
Fred's Mauser Magic

[29er savoy]

i agree with you ANAR. bheiser how about a swiss k31 with a st. marie graphics bolt on mount and a nice scope. it don't look too mean but its pleanty accurate. of corse you could paint it black or do a dura cote cammo finish on it. check out the mosin magant forum and the blue m-44.

[pecka]

Quote:       Originally Posted by bheiser

looking for an inexpensive desert cammo or reg cammo sniper rifle. Any ideas?

He never did say a bolt or an auto... If your only looking for something to shoot paper and beer cans with why not an H&R single shot. It may not "look cool" but it will put lead on target. And since the 4th word in your post was "inexpensive" it fits the bill.

[toolman]

bheiser appears to be long gone, I was doing some work for him on some grips and he just sort of disappeared. I finally gave up trying to contact him.

[gunney_m]

Sks, 7.62.39 is an inexpensive round.

[alaskasteve]

Savage
out of the box one of the MOST accurate, as for the color, buy cammo spray paint, you will be happey with the price, and accuracy.

[billy]

10-fp group from the 1st time i shot it.

i was aiming for that corner of the orange triangle

[BANDIDO]

STICK TO YOUR .303 ENFIELD LIKE GLUE. AS YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN IT KICKS LIKE A .410 AND IT HOLDS 10 RNDS. IF YOU'RE HAPPY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE Mk4 No1 YOU HAVE ONE OF THE BEST TARGET RIFLES. IF IT'S IN DECENT SHAPE OF COURSE. BUT THE OTHER ENFIELDS ARE NOT BAD EITHER.

AND HOW ABOUT THE ITALIAN M1 GARAND. IT SHOOTS THE .308 WIN AND WAS MADE BY BERET-TA IN ITALY BACK IN THE FIFTIES I THINK...
GOOD GUN AND IT DOESN'T KICK A LOT.

THINK ABOUT IT.

[oldjarhead]

Bheiser's profile shows he works in federal law enforcement. Wouldn't you think he'd have the requested information readily available to him? All we need on this site is to get the label of "sniper site" to have the feds come down on it.
Sorry, but to me things just don't fit together concerning his posts.
I'm not an alarmist...just cautious.