Would you like to make silenced, extremely accurate first-time shots without revealing your position on the battlefield? Then, a long-range paintball gun is what you need.
Before I go through the details about different types of sniper guns, let me first give you my top 3 choices. For a more detailed description and summary, scroll down!
The Sniper motto is “one shot one kill” and as a sniper, you are an integral part of the team because, with your long-range view of the battlefield, you can protect your teammates from nearby enemies and clear the path for them when they are under heavy fire.
When it comes to buying a sniper paintball rifle, there are two major action types to choose from. It could either be a semi-automatic sniper or a bolt action sniper
Such markers automatically insert a paintball into the chamber with every pull of the trigger thereby freeing the player from physically pumping the paintball sniper, which therefore increases the firing rate. It is often referred to as a self-loading gun. Semi-automatics are great for both close combat and long-range battles.
This action mechanism involves the handling of paintballs in and out of the weapon's barrel chamber and is operated by manually deploying the bolt directly through a bolt handle. The bolt action marker is often preferred by snipers because they are inherently more accurate and have fewer moving parts in the mechanism. Looking at the bolt action sniper, the only moving part is the bolt, which is manually operated by the shooter.
Deciding which long-range paintball gun is best is not dependent on the cost alone. Each gun has unique features that make it stand out when compared to other markers. So, choosing a marker entirely depends on the preferences of the shooter.
Do you want range or accuracy or maybe you need a marker with a high fire rate, or you are just simply concerned about the weight and durability of the marker? Well, you are in luck. We will be listing our 10 best long-range paintball guns with each one having its unique characteristics.
I’ve created this article to ensure that you have more than enough insight into the guns available to decide what kind of long-range marker will best suit your needs. Having said all this, let's dive straight in and select our 10 best long-range paintball guns.
Our best overall marker is the TACAMO Bolt M82 Sniper. This semi-automatic marker is built to shoot first Strike, round and shaped projectiles. It is an easily serviceable and flexible marker with a high firing rate making it the perfect choice for close combat and long-range battles.
It is an excellent choice for beginners especially for woodsball games and it has an effective shooting range of about 300ft making it stand out when compared to the range of other semi-automatic sniper rifles. Check Price & Availability... MCS vs. Amazon
Its key features include:
My pick for the best budget pick is the Tippmann A-5 Sniper Paintball Gun.
The A-5 is a semi-automatic rifle and it uses the traditional 200-round loader that operates with either Nitrogen, HPA, or CO2. It has a high firing rate (17 balls per second to be exact).
The Tippmann A-5 Sniper has a red sight dot for greater accuracy, and the frame can be stripped and reassemble without any tools on the field in minutes. It has an effective range of about 200ft and it costs about $300.
Its features include:
For the best runner-up Sniper Paintball Gun I would recommend the Tippmann Sierra One Sniper Paintball Marker.
For this option, there is a little bit of "assembly required". There is a kit available to upgrade your Tippman Sierra One to a Project Salvo Sniper gun. The kit includes:
The kit is currently available from ChoicePaintball. This upgrade provides you with incredible accuracy for long distances!
This marker is armed with an improved barrel (upgraded from a stock barrel to a J&J Performance 16 inches Ceramic Barrel). The smooth inner surface helps boost precision and air efficacy while decreasing the sound made by the marker.
It is equipped with a durable all-metal riser rail and a huge red-dot sight meant to make using any optics with a mask on easier. It uses a traditional hopper with a storage capacity of about 200 paintballs. It is one of the best long-range markers with a metal bipod and is priced under $300 which is decent for a marker of this quality
Its main features include:
The most expensive gun on our list is the Carmatech SAR-12c Sniper Rifle. This marker is distinctive as it is a magazine-fed only marker. It is a bolt-action marker making it rare in a market mostly populated with semi-automatics.
This marker has a compact design, even though it isn’t obvious at first glance. The compactness is because the gun can be easily disassembled and made to fit in a small backpack making it very easy to move about.
The Carmatech SAR-12c Rifle is produced using the highest quality materials available, with strength equivalent to medical-grade manufacturing. It is enhanced for First Strike ammunition and includes a 20 in. NEMESIS barrel. It is equipped with 4 continuous feed magazines and a two-handed magazine release upper receiver.
This is an astounding, high-functioning paintball sniper designed for precision over long ranges. It has an effective shooting range of about 300ft and costs under $1,500. This marker isn't always easy to find... Check Amazon or Ebay or DiscountPaintball for price and availability.
Its features include:
Our best long-range marker under $1000 is the 468 Bolt Action Sniper DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) manufactured by RAP4. This marker is the go-to marker for shooters training to be a designated marksmen.
The 468 is a custom-made bolt action rifle that is compatible with standard DMags and can shoot at constant velocity with high quality .68 Caliber shaped projectiles. The 468 DMR is usually designed for shaped projectiles. If acquired for paintball, it will need ball re-sizing. That is, using a hammerhead barrel system that allows you to size the ball to the barrel.
This marker is one of the most accurate in the world and achieves a range of up to 100 yards (300 ft) with the help of first strike ammunition and it costs about $800.
It's not easy finding this rifle... Check MCS or Amazon or DiscoutPaintball for current price and availability!
Its features include:
Our pick for best long-range marker under $700 is the First Strike T15 Paintball Marker is manufactured by Tiberium Arms.
It's a lightweight paintball marker, made of cast aluminum that gives it reliable sturdiness (weighs 4.41lbs)...
The T15 is modeled to look like a real AR-15, including the weight of the marker. The build of the T15 is solid as well, so you will feel like you are in a live ammo battle when you use this marker especially in MilSim battles. The handling is convenient due to its ergonomic design.
One of the most interesting features that the T15 has is that it has a dual-feed system (hopper-fed and magazine-fed) which allows you to adjust how you are playing to fit the current situation on the battlefield.
Another amazing design feature of the T15 is that it is customizable. Looking at capacity, the T15’s magazine can hold 19 rounds, which should be enough if used prudently.
The distance on this marker is incredibly fast, up to 360 fps without having to adjust or modify the marker. This velocity will increase as well with more adjustments to it. You will find that part of the firepower from this marker comes from the realness of the weapon itself. It uses HPA which explains the power behind the shots. It has an effective shooting range of about 150ft
Its main features include:
The Tippmann TMC MAGFED is our pick for the best long-range marker under $500.
This is a good all-around marker; it's suitable for long-distance and close combat games especially in woodsball games.
This paintball marker is equipped with quite a few high-performance features such as a dual-feed mode that offers an easy transition from a hopper-fed system to a magazine feed system. It also works as a fully pneumatic marker, requiring you to fill it up regardless of your chosen feeding system.
No matter what you choose, the TMC MAGFED is guaranteed to help you shoot fast and with a high level of accuracy.
Regardless of its size, it doesn’t weigh much, which guarantees that it will not affect your movements and performance on the battlefield and it permits you to add any upgrades of your choice without it becoming heavy.
It is well equipped with the easy-pull trigger, high-performance barrel-muzzle break, and stainless-steel gas line. The mode of the selector and switching with collapsible stock sounds more realistic, which makes it a popular MilSim paintball gun. It has an effective shooting range of about 150ft.
Its main features include:
My pick for the best paintball sniper gun under $200 is the Tippmann Cronus Tactical Paintball Gun.
A good all around paintball gun for the price and it's really durable, that's why I'd also include this marker in the best beginner gun as well!
The Tippman Cronus Tactical gun is a semi-automatic marker created by Tippmann and was designed to be tactical. It is commonly used in MilSim (Military Simulation) games.
This marker uses a usual 200 round hopper with a high-impact composite frame with soft grips. It is a very sturdy marker that will hold up in many battles.
The paintball gun also has an in-line bolt system that will prevent the paintballs from chopping while firing. A chopped paintball occurs when the bolt breaks the paintball before the round is fully loaded into the chamber.
The Picatinny rail makes this gun easily customizable and the stock is collapsible. The Cronus is top choice in the list of most-rented paintball markers at games which is due to its user-friendliness as well as its incredible durability, making it a good pick for beginners.
The Tippmann Cronus has 280 fps to 300 fps shooting speed using either CO2 or HPA. The effective range of the Cronus is 150 feet.
Its main features include:
The JT Sports Tactical RTP Paintball Marker is my pick for the best long-range paintball gun under $150.
This marker is a .68 caliber semi-automatic and a great value for a beginner paintballer.
With beginners, this marker stands out amongst other long-range paintball guns as it comes with various gears such as safety glasses, a CO2 tank, a wiper, and many more. It also uses a dual-feed system.
Its main features include:
The Kingman Spyder MR6 100 pro is the perfect choice for the budget-conscious, this marker rounds up my choice for the best long-range gun under $100.
It is a semi-automatic paintball marker that is well known for its level of accuracy.
It is quite suitable for both beginners and experienced shooters. The gun usually requires little maintenance and beginners have no difficulty holding it because of its solid structure.
For beginners, this gun is one of the best options given how easy it is to maintain. It also has all the essential features that a beginner needs in a paintball marker for aggressive performance on the battlefield.
Its main features include:
If you are looking for the best value for your buck, , then an alternative to buying brand new is to get a refurbished marker. Typically a refurbished piece of equipment is something that failed when it came out of the box and was returned but has been repaired and restored to working condition.
Getting a refurbished marker could be much cheaper than buying a new one and it would still work effectively. Let's face it, as soon as you have taken your brand new gun onto the field, it's used!
Choosing a refurbished gun could save you hundreds and you will still get the same enjoyment out of it!
Some website stores such as Badlands paintball & airsoft store even offer a 30-day warranty on all refurbished items purchased.
A second alternative is to buy a used marker from websites like eBay or DiscountPaintball. Getting used markers could save you a lot of money but you also must be careful to avoid getting stuck with a gun with unanticipated issues.
It is often advisable to get someone who knows a lot about paintball guns to assess the used marker before purchasing, or purchase from a reputable reseller. If you are looking for a more affordable option, then getting a used gun might be best.
At the end of the day, choosing the best paintball gun is subjective to individual preferences and skills. A low-budget long-range gun can perform better than a more expensive gun if used by someone with greater skill. When picking a gun, ask yourself what features are important to you- it could be the range, firepower, weight, or action type- and let that be your guide to choosing
Comparison chart
| Name | Action type | Feed system | Price | Weight | Effective Range |
| Tacamo Bolt M82 Sniper Paintball Gun | Semi-auto | Mag | $$$ | 8lbs | 300ft |
| Tippmann A-5 Sniper Paintball Gun | Semi-auto | Hopper | $$ | 5.2 lbs. | 200ft. |
| Tippmann Sierra One Sniper | Semi-auto | Hopper | $$ | 6 lbs. | 200ft. |
| Carmatech SAR-12c Sniper Rifle | Bolt action | Mag | $$$$$ | 12 lbs. | 300ft |
| 468 Bolt Action Sniper DMR paintball gun | Bolt-action | Mag | $$$$ | 10.3lbs. | 300ft. |
| First Strike T15 | Semi-auto | Dual | $$$ | 4.41lbs. | 150ft |
| Tippmann TMC MAGFED | Semi-auto | Dual | $$ | 6.5 lbs. | 150ft |
| Tippmann Cronus Tactical Paintball Gun | Semi-auto | Hopper | $ | 3.7 lbs. | 150ft. |
| JT Sports Tactical RTP Paintball Marker | Semi-Auto | Dual | $ | 10 lbs. | 200ft |
| Spyder MR100 PRO Semi-Auto Paintball Marker | Semi-auto | Hopper | $ | 4.3 lbs. | 200ft |
Here, we will have to consider three things which are effective range, safe range, and absolute range.
The effective range is not the distance the ball travels, but how far it can go and still break against its target. If a paintball does not break against its target, then it is seen as a miss. The average effective range for a paintball gun is between 80 and 100 feet.
Paintballs must be calibrated so that they are still safe. Shooting a paintball at a high velocity can hurt players. The cap velocity is about 280 feet per second on average, resulting in a maximum range of about 100 yards.
The absolute range is a combination of the durability of the paintball combined with the velocity. The furthest a marker should be able to shoot with these factors is about 150 yards (about 450ft).
Paintball markers make use of either CO2 or compressed air (also known as High-Pressure Air). When paintballing started out, most markers were only compatible with carbon dioxide (CO2), which was quite affordable but also had drawbacks. The use of CO2 will cause the rate of fire to decrease because the gas must cool down.
On the other hand, compressed air is a more expensive gas that provides a constant speed when firing, while using CO2 will encounter speed changes.
It can be seen that most electric guns are only compatible with compressed air while mechanical guns can use either of the two.
Here, we need to consider three factors that all contribute to the accuracy of a paintball gun. They are the ‘length of the barrel’, the ‘barrel bore size’, and ‘the ‘cleanliness of the barrel’.
Length of the barrel:
The ideal length of barrel of any paintball gun is 6-8 inches. Shorter barrels mean that less gas pressure is required to shoot the paintballs out of the gun while using a longer barrel would mean that more gas pressure is required which would result in better accuracy for each shot taken. The length of the barrel can however be upgraded up to 12-16 inches in order to further improve accuracy. Anything above 16 inches would still have the desired accuracy but not without some drawbacks. Barrel lengths above 16 inches would mean a longer processing time for each shot, it also adds to the weight of the gun and makes it less compact.
Barrel bore size:
The barrel bore size is the inner diameter of the barrel. Bore sizes usually range from .675-.691 and it is essential to make sure that your barrel bore size fits the sizes of the paintballs you are using. Using paintballs with the wrong barrel bore size will greatly affect your accuracy. I recommend that you use a barrel kit that allows you to modify the aperture to achieve a perfect fit between the paintball and bore size.
Barrel Cleanliness:
While paintballing, a lot of dirt or debris from shattered paintballs can accumulate over time in the barrel of your marker which can affect your accuracy. It is important to frequently clean your barrel, preferably, after each match to prevent dirt from building up. To clean your barrel, you can make use of a damp barrel squeegee to get all the dirt out. You can lightly grease the inner barrel occasionally, in order to prevent rusting.
Choosing which marker is best totally depends on your taste and preference. A lot of paintball markers can be altered to shoot at long range. So, it depends on how much you are willing to invest to get the best long-range marker.
This is dependent on the distance of your target and on whether it is a moving target or stationary. For moving targets, the maneuvers will vary. At farther ranges, you will need to tweak for the drop of the paintball meaning you will have to aim high most times.
Using the proper sniper scope with your gun can make all the difference in the world. While choosing, one should consider a variety of factors such as shooting range, type of gun you are using, and your play style. Some of the best sniper scopes include:
In our next article, we will be discussing extensively the best sniper scopes for paintball. Read that article, here: Best Paintball Sniper Scope
While in battle, it is possible for your primary weapon to jam or develop any other problem and there might be little time to fix it due to the heat from the battle.
Therefore, it is always advisable to have a small side gun that can be used to engage in close combat battles while you fix your primary marker. Examples of great close combat guns are the Spyder Victor paintball gun and the Tippmann TPX paintball pistol.
Military Simulation is the practice of simulated recreational combat scenarios, by replicating the most realistic conditions. Military Simulation sniper rifles can either come with a bolt action system or a semi-automatic system.
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