| From: | TODD ROBBINS <digger-@****.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Sniper rifles |
| Date: | Fri, 26 Dec 1997 20:32:30 -0600 |
> I've got a question for all ya weapon geeks out there. <grin>
Hmm.. I suppose I qualify.. well, former weapon geek at any rate.
> Is it feasible to have a sniper rifle with a built-in burst fire
> mode? The reason I'm asking this is that I'm thinking of changing the
> modes on Walther MA-2000 to SA/BF. After all, it's a typical
> battlefield sniper rifle - no silencer, tough, rugged... Not
> something you use for assassinations... And BF would well explain the
> 6.5kA price tag when compared to Barett. (Of course, I don't allow
> starting chars to have any equipment from outside the SRII book, so
> the point is kinda moot, but I'd still like to get some value of my
> ¥... ;> )
First of all, silencing a snipers rifle is not really all that
feasible. When you "silence" a weapon it reduces your muzzle velocity
to sub-sonic speeds. The majority of the noise made by a snipers rifle
is made when the round exits the muzzle at supersonic speeds. If you
reduce muzzle velocity to sub-sonic speed, your round will not carry
very far and won't have much penetration power left when it arrives.
Since most sniping is done from long range, having a rifle that will
only carry a few hundred yards with any accuracy is not very useful.
Although it is technically possible to make a semi-automatic rifle with
the range and power of a "sniper's" rifle, to do so makes it a poor
choice for the sniper. A sniper eliminates a specific target from long
range, preferably with a single shot. You may be interested to know that
the the Barret Browning is a .50 caliber bolt action rifle, designed
primarily around the same round used by the old "Ma Deuce" or .50
caliber machine gun. The design of the Barret suits it's purpose. A
sniper doesn't need a semi automatic weapon. If you have to start
spraying that much ammo that quickly, odds are you've fouled up pretty
bad somewhere along the line and probably won't live long enough to
regret your mistake.
Digger
