If an enemy is in range, the player is as well. The Call of Duty franchise is one of gaming's most popular franchises. Hosting numerous iconic characters, maps, missions, and weapons to its name. From the MP-40 in World at War, the 'All Ghillied Up' mission in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, to the map Nuketown from Black Ops.
Finding the best sniper to use in Call of Duty multiplayer is a tricky task. Being a mainstay in the charts of gaming for over fifteen years and producing a large quantity of Sniper Rifles for players to experience in a multitude of ways, what determines the players decision? Whether through the use of bolt action, such as the Mosin-Nagant and Springfield, to the more modern Semi-Automatic variety with such weapons as the Barrett .50cal and Dragunov. But which of these snipers is the best of the best?
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10 DSR-50: Black Ops 2 (Treyarch, 2012)
Starting off the list is the best one shot, one kill sniper rifle of Black Ops 2. The DSR-50 is great for long range shooting on larger maps such as Standoff, Turbine and Carrier and carries a decent magazine size with extended clip (seven) and starting ammunition.
However, once this weapon is brought into closer quarters, or with multiple enemies in sight, the weaknesses start to arise. The DSR-50 is slow, has high recoil and its scope lacks any sort of peripheral vision. This coupled with the weapons high sway without the playing holding their breath, means most enemy encounters will end unceremoniously in death.
9 P-06: Black Ops 3 (Treyarch, 2015)
The first (and only) Bullpup Sniper Rifle on this list, the P-06 feels more like an Assault Rifle, than a Sniper. Accuracy be damned, as the P-06 boasts a rapid three-round burst to its name instead of a single shot that pulverizes enemies quickly and efficiently. This ability already puts this weapon above many others for players with less than ideal sniper training.
The weapons slower rate of fire and ADS (aim down sights) speed can be rectified with certain attachments to the stock and scope. This, especially on PC, allowed for players to absolutely dominate the battlefield with plays embarrassing their opponents.
8 MSR: Modern Warfare 3 (Infinity Ward, 2011)
Infinity Ward's epic conclusion to the Modern Warfare trilogy treated fans to many wonders. Makarov's comeuppance, Soaps tragic demise, and the MSR Sniper Rifle. An excellent Sniper Rifle that brings out the best in the bolt-action class of rifle for hard-hitting shots and impeccable accuracy.
Statistically similar to the L118A Sniper Rifle, where the MSR overtakes is its quicker reload speed, faster rate of fire and its larger scope for peripheral view for that large over watch across the battlefield. Perfect for long range combat on maps such as Lookout, Getaway and Decommission, the MSR is the perfect weapon to set-up-shop and play duck hunt.
7 L96A1: Black Ops (Treyarch, 2010)
Yet another bolt-action sniper rifle, the L96A1 is a big, green killing machine with immense power and the largest one-shot kill area of any sniper in Black Ops. A one hit kill at any point above the waist, accuracy is key when using the L96A1 in multiplayer.
The downside of the L96A1 is its fire rate. Encountering multiple enemies or missing the first shot in a battle could prove very costly for the player holding the L96A1. High precision accuracy, patience and distance from the enemy are the three components to successful use of this hard to master, powerful sniper rifle.
6 AX-50: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward, 2019)
The most recent sniper on this recent, Modern Warfare 2019's AX-50 is a very solid addition to this list. A hard-hitting bolt action (again), the rifle hits hard and has incredible range, making it the go-to sniper of choice for Call of Duty's Warzone game mode when it initially launched in 2020.
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A weapon perfect for long range sniping, the AX-50, coupled with a thermal scope, becomes almost unfair for the enemy when used at a vantage point. With a good view of the surrounding area on maps such as Grazna Raid and Arklov Peak, the AX-50 deals serious damage.
5 Kar 98k: World at War (Treyarch, 2008)
The infamous German bolt-action rifle, the Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) is the best of the World at War snipers. While each sniper on World at War boasted the same high damage, high accuracy and reload time, the Kar 98k beats out the competition with its better iron sights, cooler sounding shot and sleeker design.
With an attached scope to the weapon, the Kar 98k becomes even greater. Minimal recoil, more damage and a better view of the enemy at long ranges compared to other scopes. While the Springfield has a faster rate of fire, this is negligible and doesn't detract from the many positives this iconic weapon possesses.
4 Widowmaker: Infinite Warfare (Infinity Ward, 2016)
Another burst fire sniper, the Widowmaker is as deadly in practice as it is in appearance. Similar in appearance to Modern Warfare 2's (2009) Intervention, this is the only similarity the two rifles possess. Headshots galore are what accompany the player when using this two-burst weapon, like that of its older brother the P-06.
The Widowmaker's strengths are its speed and burst fire ability. With enough practice, and patience, with long range sniping (hard-scoping) players can turn this wannabe into a force of nature. Attach a thermal scope to this bad boy, and it opens up a whole new avenue of enemy contact spotting and dropping.
3 Barrett.50cal: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward, 2007)
The most powerful Sniper Rifle ever made had to be near the top of this list. The Barrett .50cal is one of the greatest Call of Duty snipers, and snipers in general, in history, and it brings its A game to Call of Duty's first venture into the modern era.
The very definition of 'stopping power', the Barrett .50cal has a large ten round magazine. This plus its high likelihood to one shot, one kill and enemy, makes racking up that kill feed all the more likely and satisfying. If the player can time their shots right to compensate for the weapons high recoil they will be in for a treat using this excellent sniper.
2 M40A3: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward, 2007)
The first sniper unlocked by default on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the M40A3 is many players go-to for their entire sniping career on the game. With lower recoil and less sway than its bolt-action competition (the R700) the M40A3 is perfect for tracking and execution targets in multiplayer.
With its quick ADS and optional ACOG scope attachment, the M40A3 can zoom it rapidly and becomes a one hit kill anywhere on an enemy. Ending fights before they even begin at close to middle range. Taking the M40A3 to a sniping competition would result in an excellent showing. But falls just short of the best in the franchise.
1 Intervention: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, 2009)
Everyone knew this was coming. Yet another bolt-action sniper. The uncontested, heavyweight sniping champion of the Call of Duty franchise is, of course, the Intervention. Unlocked incredibly early (level four) it's already the last sniper the player will need to use during their Modern Warfare 2 career.
Being the only bolt-action sniper in the game may put many players off, but the positives far outweigh this minor drawback. An easy-to-use scope and minimal recoil allows for pinpoint long range sniping. If hard scoping isn't wanted, that's okay, as it isn't really needed. The Intervention signal handedly invented and perfected 'quick scoping' and remains to this day the best sniper ever at the feat and proves that the Intervention is Call of Duty's best sniper.