Find the Perfect Paintball Sniper Rifle
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There’s a thrill in playing paintball that’s hard to match, especially when you’re sniping. The skill, precision, and exhilarating feeling when your long-distance shot connects with an opponent, it’s simply unmatched. But to make those shots, you need the right gear – and in this case, the best paintball sniper rifle.
It’s a game-changer, having a quality long-range paintball gun in your hands. It’s not just about range, but also accuracy and reliability. And that’s why we’ve put in the work, testing and analyzing sniper rifles across all price ranges, to bring you the best of the best.
In this guide, you’ll find our top picks for the best paintball sniper rifles on the market, each capable of taking your long-range game to the next level. Let’s get started.
Our Picks for the Best Paintball Sniper Rifles
#1: Tippmann A5 Sniper Rifle
Best Paintball Sniper Rifle
- Mechanical paintball gun
- Works with CO2 or HPA
- 200-round stock hopper
- Long 16″ barrel
- 250-foot range
- 500-shot capacity on a single gas tank
- Durable body made with aluminum die-cast receiver
- Cyclone feed system increases loading speed
- Vertical front grip for a stable shooting experience
- Maximum feed rate of 17 bps
- Shock-absorbing end cap
- Can be assembled and disassembled easily
One of the most popular and recognizable paintball guns ever, the Tippmann A5 Sniper Rifle has a 16″ barrel, fires with a 250-foot range, and works with either CO2 or HPA. Its lightweight and streamlined for easy maneuverability and offers a ton of aftermarket parts for an upgraded shooting experience.
If you want durability and performance in an affordable base model with a ton of potential upgrades, stop scrolling and get the Tippmann A5.
Pros:
- Recognizable and trusted brand
- High firing range of 250 feet
- Works with both CO2 and HPA
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Many aftermarket parts available for upgrades
Cons:
- Base model might lack some features of higher-end models
- Potential upgrades can increase cost over time
#2: Empire Pump Paintball Sniper Rifle
Best Pump Paintball Sniper Rifle
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Ditch the air tank and fire with impunity. The Empire Pump Paintball Sniper Rifle is a tournament-level marker with a 14″ barrel and solid-yet-lightweight pumping action for consistently strong downfield firing among comparable pump-powered markers.
The Empire Sniper’s 14″ barrel isn’t as long as the Tippmann A5’s 16″ barrel (though it’s much longer than the Tippmann 98 Custom Pro’s 11″ barrel below), but that doesn’t affect its accuracy.
In fact, the Empire Sniper’s silent, smooth, pump-only action makes it supremely reliable and accurate to the edge of its firing range, though admittedly that isn’t super far at just 50-75 feet.
Pros:
- Tournament-level marker
- Solid yet lightweight pump action
- Reliable and accurate
- Silent and smooth operation
Cons:
- Shorter barrel compared to some other models
- Limited firing range (50-75 feet)
- Requires more manual action (pumping) compared to air or electronic markers
#3: Tippmann 98 Custom Pro Sniper Rifle
Most Reliable Long-Range Paintball Gun
- Mechanical paintball gun with semi-automatic firing
- Hopper-fed
- Compatible with CO2 and HPA
- 11″ barrel on Custom Pro (8.5″ on Custom model)
- Vertical removable foregrip
- Built-in adjustable iron sight
- Bottomline air feed
- 3/8″ Dovetail accessory rail and 7/8″ Weaver-style rail
- Removable feed elbow
- Moderate weight at 2.9 lbs
You could put just about any Tippmann marker in the “most reliable paintball gun” category, but the Tippmann 98 Custom Pro gets the nod because it’s the gold standard for durability and versatility.
In fact, its biggest plus is right in its name: its customizability.
The base Pro model, shown in the image above, looks like a plain old marker. When fully loaded with whatever upgrades you like, it looks like something from Call of Duty.
By pure sniper standards, the base Custom Pro isn’t quite as effective as the Tippmann A5 or Empire Pump Sniper, mostly due to its 11″ barrel (only on Custom Pro models, the standard Custom model has an 8.5″ barrel). But like the A5, which is our pick for the best paintball sniper gun, the Custom Pro can be upgraded as needed for a true-to-you paintball experience.
Pros:
- Incredible durability and versatility
- High customizability for a personalized setup
- Sturdy and reliable construction
- Suitable for upgrades
Cons:
- Not as effective as other sniper models due to shorter barrel
- Requires additional investment for upgrades
- Base model lacks some features found in higher-end markers
#4: First Strike FS T15 Sniper Rifle
Best Paintball Sniper Rifle For Experienced Players
- FS T15 semi-automatic firing and full-auto compatibility
- FS remote buffer tube adapter
- 12″ floating keymod handguard
- 14.5″ FS Lapco Raging Donkey smooth bore barrel
- 7″ hand guard
- Collapsible stock
- FS mock silencer barrel tip
- Adjustable riser
- Realistic MilSim design with matte black finish
A dual-use marker capable of firing both accurately downfield and rapidly in close-quarter combat, the First Strike FS T15 is a beast of a sniper rifle. Its lightweight, aluminum body is easy to maneuver with a realistic MilSim design, and it has the durability to match.
However, that amazing build-quality and enviable accuracy come with cost: the highest price point of any paintball sniper rifle on this list.
That makes the First Strike FS T15 the best paintball sniper rifle for experienced players. It comes with everything you need out of the box, but it takes some use and refinement to dial it in to your liking.
Pros:
- Dual-use capabilities (long-range and close-quarters combat)
- High-quality, durable aluminum body
- Realistic MilSim design
- High accuracy and performance
Cons:
- Highest price point among the list
- Might require some getting used to and fine-tuning
- Might not be suitable for beginners due to complexity
#5: Tippmann Cronus Tactical Marker
Most Realistic Paintball Sniper Rifle
- Mechanical paintball gun
- Hopper-fed
- Reliable firing mechanism accurate up to 150 feet
- Up to 8 bps firing speed semi-automatic
- 9″ ported barrel for quieter shooting
- Open bolt blowback
- Tactical MilSim design
- High-impact composite build
- Molded rubber grips are comfortable and slip-proof in wet conditions
- 4 x 20 mm Picatinny rails to add attachments like red sights and scopes
- CO2 and HPA (high pressure air) compatible
- Heavier at 3.7 lbs
A dual-use marker capable of firing both accurately downfield and rapidly in close-quarter combat, the First Strike FS T15 is a beast of a sniper rifle. Its lightweight, aluminum body is easy to maneuver with a realistic MilSim design, and it has the durability to match.
However, that amazing build-quality and enviable accuracy come with cost: the highest price point of any paintball sniper rifle on this list.
That makes the First Strike FS T15 the best paintball sniper rifle for experienced players. It comes with everything you need out of the box, but it takes some use and refinement to dial it in to your liking.
Pros:
- Dual-use capabilities (long-range and close-quarters combat)
- High-quality, durable aluminum body
- Realistic MilSim design
- High accuracy and performance
Cons:
- Highest price point among the list
- Might require some getting used to and fine-tuning
- Might not be suitable for beginners due to complexity
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Paintball Sniper Rifle
When it comes to finding the perfect paintball sniper rifle, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Here, we’ll dive into these features to help you make an informed decision.
Propulsion: Pump vs Gas-Powered Sniper Rifles
Firstly, you’ll need to decide between a pump and a gas-powered sniper rifle. Each has its advantages and disadvantages:
Pump-Powered Sniper Rifles: These use manual power to load the paintball into the chamber. Their main advantages include being quieter in operation and not requiring gas tank refills. However, they often have a slower rate of fire compared to their gas-powered counterparts.
Gas-Powered Sniper Rifles: These utilize a gas tank to propel the paintballs downfield. While they typically boast better velocity and downrange accuracy, they will need regular gas refills.
Gas Choice: CO2 vs HPA Sniper Rifles
If you decide to go with a gas-powered sniper rifle, you’ll have to choose between CO2 and HPA gas systems.
CO2 Systems: These are generally more affordable and can be refilled nearly anywhere. But, their performance can vary with temperature changes.
HPA Systems: High-Pressure Air (HPA) systems perform more consistently across a wider temperature range, making them ideal for electronic markers. However, they may be a bit more expensive than CO2 systems.
Feeding System: Hopper-Fed vs Mag-Fed Sniper Rifles
Another decision to make when choosing your paintball sniper rifle is how the paintballs will be fed into the chamber. Here are the two main types of feeding systems:
Hopper-Fed Sniper Rifles: These use a top-loading system, offering a larger capacity. However, the weight distribution can be different since the hopper sits on top of the barrel.
Mag-Fed Sniper Rifles: These feature a more realistic design, with a traditional bottom-feeding magazine. Although they typically have a lower paintball capacity, they can offer a more strategic gameplay experience.
In conclusion, the best paintball sniper rifle will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and playing style. Be sure to consider all these features when making your choice.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a pump and a gas-powered paintball sniper rifle?
Pump-powered sniper rifles rely on manual power to load the paintball and are generally quieter. Gas-powered rifles, on the other hand, use a gas tank to propel the paintballs, typically offering better velocity and downrange accuracy.
Should I choose a CO2 or HPA system for a gas-powered sniper rifle?
CO2 systems are usually more affordable and can be refilled almost anywhere, but their performance may vary with temperature changes. HPA systems, while potentially more expensive, provide consistent performance across a wider temperature range.
What’s the difference between hopper-fed and mag-fed sniper rifles?
Hopper-fed sniper rifles use a top-loading system, offering a larger capacity, but potentially different weight distribution as the hopper sits on top of the barrel. Mag-fed rifles feature a more realistic design, with a traditional bottom-feeding magazine, and can offer a more strategic gameplay experience due to their lower paintball capacity.
Are paintball sniper rifles more accurate than regular paintball guns?
Yes, sniper rifles are typically designed for long-range accuracy, which can give you an advantage in sniper-style gameplay.
Can I use a regular paintball gun as a sniper rifle?
While you can use a regular paintball gun for long-distance shooting, sniper rifles are specifically designed for this purpose and usually offer superior performance in terms of accuracy and range.