SPRING 2013
Paintball Sniper
What came to your mind the last time you heard someone use the term Paintball Sniper?
For most paintballers the answer is either visualizing a player decked out in a full guillie suit with a 21” barrel camping in one location waiting for someone to walk past, or nothing because you don’ t think there can be snipers in our sport.
The technology in our industry continues to evolve and it is now possible to have an experienced player become a trained paintball sniper. Markers are becoming extremely consistent and new options of ammunition are more accurate than your standard. 68 caliber paintball. For instance, First Strike Rounds( FSRs) coupled with a consistent marker have been proven to be able to mark targets at a further range and have the ability to actually use a scope properly. Recently, David Williams paired with a Carmatech Engineering SAR-12, Mil Dot Sight, Hammerhead barrel, and FSRs was able to mark a torso sized target at 280 feet consecutively five times. That is almost the length of an American football field!
The next time you hear the term Paintball Sniper do not remain in denial, because you may just end up with a FSR to your face.
Matt“ ColMustard” Leonard Shadow Dragon Initiative Valken Corps – Southeast USA
SPRING 2013
Having extra reach on the field is only one aspect of being a paintball sniper. While guillie suits are not required by the role, the player does need to be able to move discreetly on the field. A skilled paintball sniper should be able to evade detection by slow, steady movement placing natural terrain and bunkers between themselves and their target. Successful snipers stalk their prey, rather than camping in one position on the field.
To assist in avoiding detection, a paintball sniper will only take single shots at a time. This is coupled with the fact that their markers usually have a lower decibel muzzle announcement than standard markers when fired. Paintball snipers can often times get numerous eliminations with a limited amount of ammunition.
Anyone that has played with or against me knows that I am far from fitting into the category that I have described here. I do however have numerous friends that fit into this category and respect them for the skill that it takes to be successful as a sniper in our sport.
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