Sniper rifles in Red Dead Redemption 2 are essential for long-range combat. There are four sniper rifles to find, each with its own strengths. This guide ranks them by damage, range, and accuracy, and explains where to find the best one.
How Sniper Rifles Work
Sniper rifles in RDR2 deal damage based on:
- Distance to target (damage scales with distance, unlike most weapons).
- Critical hit chance (headshots deal 3x damage).
- Bullet type (Express ammo deals more damage).
Sniper rifles are best used at long range for clean one-shot kills. They are ineffective at close range due to slow fire rate.
The Four Sniper Rifles
Rolling Block Rifle
The Rolling Block Rifle is the most iconic sniper rifle in RDR2. It is the weapon used to kill off key story characters and is a reliable late-game weapon.
Stats: Damage 124, Range 80, Fire Rate 0.7, Reload 3.5, Accuracy 75.
Best use: long-range combat, hunting large animals, story missions.
Location: Found in the barn at Caliga Hall during Chapter 3. Alternative: bought from the Fence for $295.
Carcano Rifle
The Carcano Rifle is the best sniper rifle in the game. It has higher damage and accuracy than the Rolling Block and is the weapon of choice for sharpshooter challenges.
Stats: Damage 132, Range 85, Fire Rate 0.8, Reload 3.0, Accuracy 80.
Best use: long-range combat, PvP, sharpshooting challenges.
Location: Found during the "The Widow" mission. Alternative: bought from the Fence for $385.
Bolt-Action Rifle
The Bolt-Action Rifle is a reliable mid-tier sniper. It is one of the first sniper rifles you can acquire and is good for early-game hunting.
Stats: Damage 96, Range 65, Fire Rate 1.0, Reload 2.5, Accuracy 70.
Best use: medium-range combat, hunting medium animals.
Location: Reward for "The First Shall Be Last." Alternative: bought from gunsmiths for $85.
Springfield Rifle
The Springfield Rifle is a versatile rifle that can be used as both a mid-range combat weapon and a sniper. It is the cheapest sniper-class weapon.
Stats: Damage 92, Range 60, Fire Rate 1.2, Reload 2.5, Accuracy 65.
Best use: medium-range combat, hunting, early-game sniper training.
Location: Bought from any gunsmith for $120.
S Tier: Best of the Best
Carcano Rifle
The Carcano is the best sniper rifle in the game. Its high damage and accuracy make it ideal for sharpshooting challenges and PvP combat. The slightly faster reload compared to the Rolling Block is also a plus.
A Tier: Strong Choice
Rolling Block Rifle
The Rolling Block is a close second. Its iconic status and slightly slower reload are its only downsides.
B Tier: Reliable Mid-Tier
Bolt-Action Rifle
The Bolt-Action is a reliable early-game sniper. It is good for hunting medium animals but falls behind the Carcano and Rolling Block at long range.
C Tier: Versatile but Weak
Springfield Rifle
The Springfield is a versatile weapon but lacks the damage to be a true sniper. It is best used as a long-range rifle rather than a sniper.
Best Sniper for PvP
In PvP, the Carcano is the best choice. Its high damage and accuracy make it the most reliable sniper for long-range kills.
For close-range PvP, the Carcano can be equipped with a short scope for better close-range performance.
Best Sniper for PvE
For PvE, the Rolling Block is the best choice. Its iconic status and high damage make it the most satisfying sniper for story missions.
Best Sniper for Hunting
For hunting large animals, the Carcano is the best choice. Its high damage ensures clean kills on the largest game.
For hunting medium animals, the Bolt-Action is sufficient.
Bullet Types
Sniper rifles benefit from specific bullet types:
- Regular ammo: standard damage.
- High Velocity ammo: +25% damage at long range.
- Express ammo: +50% damage but reduced accuracy.
For long-range hunting and PvP, High Velocity ammo is the best choice.
Scopes
Each sniper rifle has a unique scope. The Carcano's scope has slightly higher zoom than the Rolling Block's scope, making it better for very long-range shots.
Best Customization
Customize your sniper with these upgrades:
- Rifling: improves accuracy.
- Wrap: cosmetic only.
- Engraved Grip: cosmetic only.
Common Mistakes
- Don't use sniper rifles at close range. They are too slow.
- Don't forget to use Dead Eye for long-range shots.
- Don't ignore the bullet type. The right ammo makes a big difference.
With this ranking, you will know which sniper to use in every situation and how to maximize its effectiveness.
FAQ: Sniper Rifles
Q: What is the best sniper rifle?
A: The Carcano Rifle is the best sniper rifle in the game.
Q: Can I use a sniper rifle for hunting?
A: Yes, sniper rifles are excellent for hunting large animals. Use clean shots to preserve pelts.
Q: What ammo should I use?
A: Use High Velocity ammo for long range and Express ammo for short range.
Q: Can I customize sniper rifles?
A: Yes, you can customize sniper rifles with various attachments and grips.
Best Sniper Strategies
For best sniper use:
- Use Dead Eye for headshots.
- Aim for the head to maximize damage.
- Use High Velocity ammo for long range.
- Position yourself for long-range shots.
How to Get the Carcano Rifle
The Carcano Rifle can be found during "The Widow" mission. Alternatively, it can be purchased from the Fence for $385.
How to Maximize Sniper Damage
To maximize sniper damage:
- Use Dead Eye for headshots.
- Aim for the head to maximize damage.
- Use High Velocity ammo for long range.
- Position yourself for long-range shots.
FAQ: Sniper Rifles
Q: What is the best sniper rifle?
A: The Carcano Rifle is the best sniper rifle in the game.
Q: Can I use a sniper rifle for hunting?
A: Yes, sniper rifles are excellent for hunting large animals. Use clean shots to preserve pelts.
Q: What ammo should I use?
A: Use High Velocity ammo for long range and Express ammo for short range.
Q: Can I customize sniper rifles?
A: Yes, you can customize sniper rifles with various attachments and grips.
Best Sniper Strategies
For best sniper use:
- Use Dead Eye for headshots.
- Aim for the head to maximize damage.
- Use High Velocity ammo for long range.
- Position yourself for long-range shots.
How to Get the Carcano Rifle
The Carcano Rifle can be found during "The Widow" mission. Alternatively, it can be purchased from the Fence for $385.
How to Maximize Sniper Damage
To maximize sniper damage:
- Use Dead Eye for headshots.
- Aim for the head to maximize damage.
- Use High Velocity ammo for long range.
- Position yourself for long-range shots.