Sniper

[adam156]

Sniper rifle scopes are very different from the "normal" scopes you find on most rifles. The sniper scopes have variable adjustments that take into account the distance to the target, wind speed, light conditions and many other factors. They have complex inner components that determine its shooting accuracy.
There's more to consider when you're thinking of buying a sniper rifle scope than the accuracy and/or features of the scope's mechanical parts. If you shoot a gun with a heavy recoil you will need a tube - or scope body - that can absorb the impact of heavy recoil during shooting and remain in place, allowing you to stay on target and deliver a second shot if necessary.

A sniper rifle scope's physical features are another important thing to consider. If you need to travel long distances by foot, you'll want a scope that is lighter and less bulky than larger scopes that never find their way off the shooting range. The scope that is perfect for long range shooting just won't perform well in a situation that requires quick target acquisition. A more compact design is necessary for close range or urban sniping. These types of sniper rifle scopes are called tactical scopes.
Adam
sniper scopes

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[Chuckindenver]

i for one am fed up with Ebay sellers using the term {sniper} to sell a item, just to get more money for a scope, stock, bolt, ect...
the only scope that is a true GI Issue sniper scope, is one issued by the military.
any other, would only be a sporting or target scope, being humped as such.
having a decal, patch, tattoo, or heavy barrel rifle with a 24x scope screwed on top, doesnt make it or you a sniper,
that is earned, by training and service.

[Dimitri]

Lets see, most "sniper" scopes, as in scopes fitted into rifles by a military meant for snipers.

From very simple 2-3 lenses in the PU scope meant to be cheap and "good enough" to arm troops when you have the lion at your door step to multi lenses in optics meant for long range shooting with +25x magnification ranges equipped on rifles such as the TAC-50 used by Canadian Snipers.

So really what makes a good "sniper" optic?

Dimitri

[mike radford]

Hi Dmitry, What makes a good sniper is a matter of opinion at this point. In WW2, it was different. The Soviets had it right with the PU. I have shot about 50 of the WW2 snipers. I have shot about 20 PU's. In my opinion, the PU was one of the best and was the best all things considered. I have several that do sub MOA on a rest. To me, that is amazing under the circumstances.

The PU is weather resistant. It is light. It has windage adjustment and trajectory compensation. It is accurate. It is user friendly. That is it you want in a mass produced sniper?

The M1C was not yet introduced. The 1903A4 had a crummy scope. The German snipers, except the G/K43(but no consistent accuracy), had no windage outside the mount adjustment. The Japanese had no adjustments. The Brits had both adjustments and were quite capable. The early Soviet snipers based on the Mosin were very capable, just not common and the SVT-40's were just not consistent.

IMHO, based on years of study of this question, the PU may be the best overall.

[Dimitri]

That is it you want in a mass produced sniper?

The PU series was a good scope for the Russian intent, arm as many people with optics on their rifles to be better at the task then would have been possible with other scopes.

It was trial by fire in the Eastern Front verses in the West where sniper training and selection was still limited due to wanting to give only the best the expensive optics.

Which one is better? Neither, optics on rifles allows a solider who may not be "worth" getting a sniper rifle fire more accurately and precise with a scope on their rifle over iron sights. That is why here, and most everywhere else people make smaller groups with optics then with iron sights. And is why most Armies today equip just about every solider with a optically enhanced rifle.

But by the same token, when the choice is give your best shooters the training and skill they need to go into the battlefield and work well in the Western style "Sniper-Scout" role, a better optic and training is preferred as their role becomes less of a full time shooter, but more of a intelligence officer to report the enemies movements and other important information while they are behind enemy lines.

Dimitri