Sniper rifl es are highly specialized weapons. Though they share some com- mon features with both military weapons and specialized target rifl es, sniper rifl es must be as accurate as possible, especially at long range; therefore, they incorporate many of the precision-target rifl e features. They must also be rugged enough to function reliably under adverse conditions in the fi eld, so they are generally built to demanding specifi cations.
Sniper rifl es vary considerably in design and performance, but most share some common attributes that are meant to improve accuracy. They tend to have long, heavy barrels and often use bipods for greater stability. Most are equipped with an optical telescopic sight to assist long-range shooting. Iron sights, if present, are meant for use only as backups if something happens to the scope; in many cases, iron sights are not fi tted at all.
Many sniper rifl es also have specialized stocks. At the mini- mum, most stocks have a cheek rest; some have stocks that are fully adjustable for length and height as well. These adjustments allow the shooter to precisely confi gure the stock to suit his or her grip, which in turn allows a consistent sight
picture when using the weapon.
Most sniping weapons fall into two broad categories: accurized versions of regular military or sporting rifl es and purpose-designed sniper rifl es. Accurized versions of regular military or sporting rifl es often fi re standard-caliber ammunition (though precision match-grade rounds may be used to improve accuracy); some are rechambered to fi re heavier rounds. Most will incorporate some or all of the common sniper rifl e features outlined above—heavy barrels, optical scopes, and bipods. Some are built on a standard mili- tary rifl e action, while others are constructed to a more exacting standard to ensure the best possible performance. Examples of this type of sniping weapon include the American M21 (derived from the M14 rifl e) and the Yugoslavian M76 (derived from the AK-47).
Purpose-designed sniper rifl es are designed from the outset for long-range precision shooting. They often incorporate advanced design and manufacturing techniques to make them as accurate as possible. Most purpose-designed rifl es feature highly sophisti- cated optics, fully adjustable stocks, and bolt actions.
Conventional wisdom has long said that bolt-action weap- ons are more accurate than semiautomatics. This line of thinking has changed somewhat in recent years, as some recent semiauto-
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matic designs have begun to rival bolt-action guns for long-range accuracy. Old ideas die hard, however, and the bolt-action rifl e will probably continue to be the action of choice for many years to come. Examples of this type of weapon include the Swiss SIG-Sauer SSG 3000 and the British Accuracy International Model AW.
Sniper rifl es are seldom designed or considered in isolation. Trained snipers regard the rifl e as just one element in a complete weapon system that includes optics and ammunition. In addition to seeking the most advanced and accurate rifl es, snipers pay consid- erable attention to optics. Sniper sights often cost more than the rifl e they are mounted on (even considering how sophisticated and expensive custom sniper rifl es can be). Without the best in optics, a sniper rifl e would be unable to live up to its full potential.
In addition to sights, ammunition plays a key role in sniper accura- cy. Ordinary military cartridges are adequate for use in assault rifl es, but precision shooting demands high-quality ammunition produced to exacting specifi cations. Most sniper ammunition is hand loaded with precisely measured quantities of propellant. Snipers constantly experiment with different loads, seeking to eke out every possible bit of accuracy from their weapon systems. In circumstances that prohibit using custom hand-loaded bullets, snipers will still favor more carefully produced factory match-grade ammunition.
While the term “sniper” is broadly applied to virtually any rifl e- equipped sharpshooter, it actually has a very specifi c meaning. “Sniper” refers to a trained shooter equipped with a rifl e who is at the absolute pinnacle of marksmanship skill. He or she must be able to effectively engage human-sized targets well outside the range of normal military rifl es, up to 800 meters or beyond. Furthermore, to operate as effectively as possible, true snipers must be extensively trained in sniper tactics.
Less well-trained shooters are more correctly termed “marks- men.” These shooters are trained and equipped to engage enemy targets with accurate aimed fi re, but only out to the range of normal military rifl es—generally, within about 300 meters. Most of today’s snipers are actually marksmen, particularly in the former Soviet states and their clients. Throughout the Cold War, while Western snipers trained for long-range shooting, Soviet doctrine emphasized short-engagement ranges. Their weapons, such as the Dragunov SVD, were designed accordingly.
Shooting experts generally recognize two types of sniping doctrine: military and police. Though both doctrines demand the ultimate in rifl e accuracy, their tactical needs vary considerably. Military snipers must operate in the fi eld for extended periods. They must perform reconnaissance and force-protection roles in addition to engaging high-value targets. They must also be masters of operational fi eldcraft, able to move undetected through remote areas and track prey when necessary.
Police snipers serve a different role than military snipers, dictated by the different requirements of their missions. Most police snipers are part of organized SWAT teams that respond to special situations requiring an armed response. Police sniper engagement ranges tend to be much shorter than their military counterparts, since they are often able to get much closer to the situation requiring intervention. In addition to being skilled shooters, police snipers serve a valuable information-gathering role. Using their advanced optics and seeking out the best possible positions to observe the situation, they serve as the eyes of the SWAT team throughout a crisis. Police snipers report on activities of the suspects and developing circumstances. If neces- sary, they must be able to take out any threatening individuals without endangering other offi cers, hostages, or innocent bystanders.
d20 MODERN RULES
The following rules supplement those in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game and apply to the fi rearms described in this chapter.
Profi ciency: One must have the Personal Firearms Profi ciency feat
to fi re a sniper rifl e without taking a –4 penalty on the attack roll. For sniper rifl es with an automatic rate of fi re, one must have the Advanced Firearms Profi ciency feat to fi re on automatic without taking a –4 penalty on the attack roll.
Adjustable Fittings: Some sniper rifl es are equipped with
adjustable fi ttings. Adjustable fi ttings make the weapon more com- fortable and natural-feeling to the fi rer, improving aim. The fi rer does not have to take advantage of adjustable fi ttings; the weapon functions normally even if the adjustable fi ttings are not used.
To gain the benefi t of adjustable fi ttings, a user must fi rst make an initial adjustment. Doing so requires 10 minutes. The adjustment benefi ts only that individual; if another character wishes to gain the benefi t of the adjustable fi ttings, he must make his own initial adjustment (thereby negating the original user’s initial adjustment).
Adjusted fi ttings increase the bonus on attack rolls from the Dead Aim feat by +1. A character without the Dead Aim feat gains no benefi t from adjustable fi ttings.
Bipods: Many sniper rifl es come equipped with bipods (see
Bipods in the introduction for game rules).
Burst Fire: Some sniper rtifl es have three-round burst settings
even if they do not have an automatic rate of fi re. These weapons can be used with the Burst Fire feat. They cannot be used to make autofi re attacks or to gain any other benefi t of the automatic rate of fi re. They do not grant the ability to make burst fi re attacks without the Burst Fire feat; if you use the setting without the feat, you make a normal attack, and the extra bullets are wasted.
Chambered Rounds: Any sniper rifl e with a box magazine can
carry an extra cartridge in the chamber. To put a cartridge in the chamber, the weapon is loaded as normal. (Chambering a round is part of the normal loading process.) Then, the magazine is removed, an extra bullet is added (to replace the one that was chambered), and the magazine is reinserted. This process takes an extra full round beyond the time normally required to load the weapon.
Changing Scopes: A scope can be attached to a weapon that
is equipped with a scope mount. If a weapon comes with a scope mount, that fact is noted in the weapon’s description. Adding a scope mount to a weapon that doesn’t have one takes 1 hour and a successful Repair check (DC 15). A scope mount has a purchase DC of 10.
When a scope is attached to a weapon for the fi rst time, it must be zeroed or it will not function accurately. Zeroing is the process by which the scope is precisely aligned with the aim of the weapon. Zeroing takes 15 minutes and requires the fi ring of 10 bullets. The weapon must be fi red to be zeroed.
Once the scope is zeroed, it can be removed and reattached later to the same weapon without zeroing it again. If it is attached to a different weapon (even a different weapon of the same model), it must be zeroed to that weapon, rendering it no longer zeroed to the original weapon.
Unless otherwise noted in a weapon’s description, attaching or removing a scope is a full-round action.
Folding Stocks: A few sniper rifl es feature folding stocks. (Some
weapons have collapsible stocks; for game purposes, these are the same as folding stocks.) In many cases, folding a weapon’s stock grants a +2 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal the weapon (see the individual weapon descriptions).
Using a Large or larger weapon with the stock folded imposes a –1 penalty on all attack rolls. Folding or unfolding a folding stock is a move action. If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can fold or unfold a folding stock as a free action when moving.
Iron Sights: Some sniper rifl es lack iron sights because they are
designed to be used with scopes. A fi rearm without iron sights im- poses a –1 penalty on attack rolls unless used with a scope.
Unless otherwise noted, every sniper rifl e in this chapter includes iron sights.
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Loading Large Magazines: According to the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game (see Reloading Firearms, page 97), refi lling a box magazine is a full-round action. Actually, as a full-round action you can refi ll up to 20 rounds of ammunition in a box magazine. Larger box magazines take more time to fi ll. For example, a 30-round box magazine takes 2 full rounds to fi ll, while a 42-round box magazine takes 3 full rounds to fi ll. You do not have to fi ll a box magazine to its full capacity; if you can only spare 1 full round, you can choose to partially fi ll a larger magazine.
Optical Sights: Some sniper rifl es feature optical sights. Unless
otherwise noted, optical sights function identically to standard sights.