Whats up Sniper community. Im Ej 39 year old Marine veteran. Got into airsoft cuz my counselor at the VA suggested it, said its been helping combat vets like myself with their ptsd. So far she was right, im obsessed! Got recruited by a sponsored team. Now, i know its not suggested for new players to take the role of sniper and ive read the reasons but majority dont apply to me. I was no sniper in the Corps but as a Marine were the only branch that goes back to the 500 yard line for m16 quals and i did this 2x a year and with straight sights so on my team no one has ever attempted shots that long. I was a rifle expert all 8 years except for 2 quals where i was hung over and scored sharpshooter. Im proficient with my sight alignment and sight picture. My specialty is cover and concealment. Im fairly short 5'6, very quick, and am able to sit/lay still for hours without even scratching cuz in my world you scratch you die. In all the reviews ive read against new players sniping ive gone over them all. I understand more than most its not all about confirmed kills. Im more excited about providing overwatch, recon and gain intel and relay that thru comms to my team, and while on the glass calling out potential threats to the team, including location and number of enemy strength, and yes of course getting some kills. I believe in airsoft just as much as real life im not looking for headshots im going center mass on whatever the enemy is presenting me. I kinda went crazy when i caught the obsession and have bought quite a few weapons already. My first question is about the rifle im starting with. I have a matrix sr2 mb13..now i know most will comment about it being cheap or junk or whatever. I like it, its what i wanted to begin with, and ultimately its what i bought. Ive noticed quickly in the airsoft world others are quick to judge ones talent by the amount of money someones guns worth, really? Does that even sound right?..lol...ive run into the people who have insanely expensive guns but have not clue about marksmanship..lol..what a waste. So, i understand my rifle isnt what the youtube celebrity snipers have but oh well. Now, im prepared to put money into the upgrades. Im coming to yall experienced overwatchers for some advice. Is tigh bore better? Ive read recently some saying no which confused me. So my first upgrade is my inner barrell and im between Madbull or Prometheus any suggestions? Hopup is next and my research has come to an Action Army hopup suggestions? How bout bucking? And my last question is the spring. Im looking for distsnce, accuracy but most importantly consistency..thanks guys! Appreciate yall reading...Semper Fi
Marine Veteran beginning airsoft career
SemperGumby
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Whats up Sniper community. Im Ej 39 year old Marine veteran. Got into airsoft cuz my counselor at the VA suggested it, said its been helping combat vets like myself with their ptsd. So far she was right, im obsessed! Got recruited by a sponsored team. Now, i know its not suggested for new players to take the role of sniper and ive read the reasons but majority dont apply to me. I was no sniper in the Corps but as a Marine were the only branch that goes back to the 500 yard line for m16 quals and i did this 2x a year and with straight sights so on my team no one has ever attempted shots that long. I was a rifle expert all 8 years except for 2 quals where i was hung over and scored sharpshooter. Im proficient with my sight alignment and sight picture. My specialty is cover and concealment. Im fairly short 5'6, very quick, and am able to sit/lay still for hours without even scratching cuz in my world you scratch you die. In all the reviews ive read against new players sniping ive gone over them all. I understand more than most its not all about confirmed kills. Im more excited about providing overwatch, recon and gain intel and relay that thru comms to my team, and while on the glass calling out potential threats to the team, including location and number of enemy strength, and yes of course getting some kills. I believe in airsoft just as much as real life im not looking for headshots im going center mass on whatever the enemy is presenting me. I kinda went crazy when i caught the obsession and have bought quite a few weapons already. My first question is about the rifle im starting with. I have a matrix sr2 mb13..now i know most will comment about it being cheap or junk or whatever. I like it, its what i wanted to begin with, and ultimately its what i bought. Ive noticed quickly in the airsoft world others are quick to judge ones talent by the amount of money someones guns worth, really? Does that even sound right?..lol...ive run into the people who have insanely expensive guns but have not clue about marksmanship..lol..what a waste. So, i understand my rifle isnt what the youtube celebrity snipers have but oh well. Now, im prepared to put money into the upgrades. Im coming to yall experienced overwatchers for some advice. Is tigh bore better? Ive read recently some saying no which confused me. So my first upgrade is my inner barrell and im between Madbull or Prometheus any suggestions? Hopup is next and my research has come to an Action Army hopup suggestions? How bout bucking? And my last question is the spring. Im looking for distsnce, accuracy but most importantly consistency..thanks guys! Appreciate yall reading...Semper Fi
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1,596 Posts
'I was hungover and scored sharpshooter'..:lmao::lmao::lmao: Man, that's awesome!! hahahahaha:shot:
First of all, thank you for your service. Now, I realize I'm a Canadian and all, but we love our grunts up here and when I was a younger man I got to be a swabbie on one of our destroyers. We get it...obviously not to your level, but we get it.:tup:
Ok, so, you want to be an airsoft sniper for all the right reasons. Let the haters hate, man. You know more about this already than EVERYBODY. I was never a field operative like yourself, but I've been a bush guy for decades, maybe even killed and skinned a beastie or two (I'm 53 now). Good sir, you could teach sniping and what it's all about to these young bucks. A couple of years ago we had an ex-Canadian OP hang out with us for a season. Probably had the cheapest rifle you could get and a pistol. He destroyed EVERYBODY. hahahaha..never even saw him coming.
As for a weapon, whatever floats your canoe. This is airsoft, not active service, so it still being a game, do what you dig. I'm a big boy and tight spaces make me nervous so CQB and building clearing has never been my bag. I'm like you in some ways, I can wait hours for the right shot..scratching doesn't usually mean death, but it can spook the deer. Mind you, in this part of the world we deal with just about every carnivorous beastie there is (wolves, cougars, bears, etc) so sometimes being very very still can save your life. Nothing to see here...move along, y'know?
The basic rule of airsoft is that we all fire the same ammo, with the exception being weight of course. That said, the basic ballistic principles of the round ball are all the same. My background is science and engineering..I've spent way too much time fooling with these guns. hahahaha. But here's the deal...job 1, get it to fly straight. You can't do squat if that BB isn't under control. That's achieved by a good inner barrel and hop combination. Maximize the shot of air coming out of that cylinder and you're golden. IN an auto rifle, 6.03mm is as tight as I'd go, heck, even in my sniper rifle. Why? BB's have a +/- tolerance. Better a little loose than a jam. Put the work into the barrel group and you'll see a marked improvement in the groupings and range. Range isn't as important as everyone thinks...especially when you've got skills like yours. But, being able to thread that BB through the cracks is magical.
To start, go with the tried and true until you get a hang of how the BB's fly and what you need for your game situation as well as the local regulations. For example, We play in heavy forest here. A 250 foot shot is almost impossible because of the foliage, and if you do pull one you have a very, very accurate rifle. So, less emphasis on horsepower, more on handling. A heavier BB can help that by staying on course and punching through the odd leaf. When shooting through pines and spruces, there's no hope...even real bullets deflect on those.
I was one of those idiots who started as a sniper, went to autos because everybody said so, then said screw it and we're back to sniping...albeit with some pretty tricked out gear. To start, I played with a bone stock gun for the entire first season (seasons are short here). Instead, I watched the gameplay, the players, the terrain, all that good stuff. Then I went back to the scret lab and built my rifle to suit...mouuhhaahaa. Tried it again the second year and made some marked progress. I'm now going into year 5 with this build and now we're in the 'experimental' phase of making our own proprietary hop ups, barrel tweaks, etc,etc. All in an effort to thread that needle even tighter. Oh! ONe mod most people leave out but is essential depending on your rifle...(and yours is pretty cool), barrel spacers. Absolutely essential.
Anyhew, we're here for ya, and welcome to the forum!!! Oh, and most importantly, this is a GAME...keep it fun, relax, and light em up!! hahaha
First of all, thank you for your service. Now, I realize I'm a Canadian and all, but we love our grunts up here and when I was a younger man I got to be a swabbie on one of our destroyers. We get it...obviously not to your level, but we get it.:tup:
Ok, so, you want to be an airsoft sniper for all the right reasons. Let the haters hate, man. You know more about this already than EVERYBODY. I was never a field operative like yourself, but I've been a bush guy for decades, maybe even killed and skinned a beastie or two (I'm 53 now). Good sir, you could teach sniping and what it's all about to these young bucks. A couple of years ago we had an ex-Canadian OP hang out with us for a season. Probably had the cheapest rifle you could get and a pistol. He destroyed EVERYBODY. hahahaha..never even saw him coming.
As for a weapon, whatever floats your canoe. This is airsoft, not active service, so it still being a game, do what you dig. I'm a big boy and tight spaces make me nervous so CQB and building clearing has never been my bag. I'm like you in some ways, I can wait hours for the right shot..scratching doesn't usually mean death, but it can spook the deer. Mind you, in this part of the world we deal with just about every carnivorous beastie there is (wolves, cougars, bears, etc) so sometimes being very very still can save your life. Nothing to see here...move along, y'know?
The basic rule of airsoft is that we all fire the same ammo, with the exception being weight of course. That said, the basic ballistic principles of the round ball are all the same. My background is science and engineering..I've spent way too much time fooling with these guns. hahahaha. But here's the deal...job 1, get it to fly straight. You can't do squat if that BB isn't under control. That's achieved by a good inner barrel and hop combination. Maximize the shot of air coming out of that cylinder and you're golden. IN an auto rifle, 6.03mm is as tight as I'd go, heck, even in my sniper rifle. Why? BB's have a +/- tolerance. Better a little loose than a jam. Put the work into the barrel group and you'll see a marked improvement in the groupings and range. Range isn't as important as everyone thinks...especially when you've got skills like yours. But, being able to thread that BB through the cracks is magical.
To start, go with the tried and true until you get a hang of how the BB's fly and what you need for your game situation as well as the local regulations. For example, We play in heavy forest here. A 250 foot shot is almost impossible because of the foliage, and if you do pull one you have a very, very accurate rifle. So, less emphasis on horsepower, more on handling. A heavier BB can help that by staying on course and punching through the odd leaf. When shooting through pines and spruces, there's no hope...even real bullets deflect on those.
I was one of those idiots who started as a sniper, went to autos because everybody said so, then said screw it and we're back to sniping...albeit with some pretty tricked out gear. To start, I played with a bone stock gun for the entire first season (seasons are short here). Instead, I watched the gameplay, the players, the terrain, all that good stuff. Then I went back to the scret lab and built my rifle to suit...mouuhhaahaa. Tried it again the second year and made some marked progress. I'm now going into year 5 with this build and now we're in the 'experimental' phase of making our own proprietary hop ups, barrel tweaks, etc,etc. All in an effort to thread that needle even tighter. Oh! ONe mod most people leave out but is essential depending on your rifle...(and yours is pretty cool), barrel spacers. Absolutely essential.
Anyhew, we're here for ya, and welcome to the forum!!! Oh, and most importantly, this is a GAME...keep it fun, relax, and light em up!! hahaha
Joined
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949 Posts
As a more technical response, the rifle you have is also known as the Echo 1 ASR, Well MB06/MB13, ASG urban sniper... (there's a lot of rebrands) To my knowledge, it is APS-2 compatible except for the cylinder and trigger unit. Be careful of putting too heavy a spring into the rifle as the four tabs that hold the trigger box onto the receiver are not the strongest things in the world. Airsoft Pro makes a series of upgrades for the rifle. The most important part for your rifle, however, isn't some internal part that you're going to be shoving in there, it's actually the BB's you buy.
It is correct that new airsoft players are discouraged from sniping. People need some level of experience with hiding etc.
Setting that point aside in this case, the main point of difficulty with sniping is making the rifle hit the damn target. Building a precise rifle is the hard part of being an airsoft sniper. Aiming itself is easy (torso- size at 100m...).
What will probably get you the best result without too much fuss is a silverback SRS Desert tech rifle. The build quality is far superior to other airsoft rifles and it is designed as a high end rifle with properly designed hopup and piston system.
Setting that point aside in this case, the main point of difficulty with sniping is making the rifle hit the damn target. Building a precise rifle is the hard part of being an airsoft sniper. Aiming itself is easy (torso- size at 100m...).
What will probably get you the best result without too much fuss is a silverback SRS Desert tech rifle. The build quality is far superior to other airsoft rifles and it is designed as a high end rifle with properly designed hopup and piston system.
Joined
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969 Posts
Buy:
-AA hop up
-Maple Leaf Autobot Bucking
-Skeee or Panthera nub
-Any tightbore you like. 6.04 or smaller
-Choose a spring based on your fps limits and replace the piston and spring guide accordingly
In that order.
When the trigger breaks, replace it with a high end one.
When all that's done you can look into some of the finer tweaks. Teflon taping parts. Outer barrel shimming. Etc.
-AA hop up
-Maple Leaf Autobot Bucking
-Skeee or Panthera nub
-Any tightbore you like. 6.04 or smaller
-Choose a spring based on your fps limits and replace the piston and spring guide accordingly
In that order.
When the trigger breaks, replace it with a high end one.
When all that's done you can look into some of the finer tweaks. Teflon taping parts. Outer barrel shimming. Etc.
Joined
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446 Posts
Ok Marine , you decided to go down a tough road with that rifle as a base. Going to give you some straight advice here.
If you want to get competitive fast you're going to have to square your gear fast. Upgrading non standard platforms like that is kind of advanced stuff and usualy leads to frustration from newer techs and becomes a money pit chasing groupings that are hard to obtain without a lot of hand working and advanced knowlage .
We respect what you're trying to do here, and who you are so we are here to help BUT, you have to understand that there are other platforms that even us advanced guys have moved to and or stuck with for a reason and the results we can get from them are no less than amazing for flinging round balls at 100 yards accuately.
If you want to fast track, you have to move one of the more wide spreed systems like the VSR .
They are no more expensive in their base format than what you got (around a 100 bucks) and you'll make up the money you spent on your current gun on the upgrade path with better results.
Your current rifle was NOT a waist BTW, it let you know you like this style of play, and that's worth it. We ALL did it, and ultimately we ALL moved to more standard systems after attempting to upgrade our first rifles
And by the way, I KNOW why you like that rifle, its the same reason all the prior service guys do especaly Marines . It took you guys until 2014 to get adjustable stocks and short barrels and you don't want to give them up LOL!! Plus you've trained on that configuration.
Trust us, go with a TRUE VSR compatable system if you want to fast track. The guys here will tell you whats what on which brand is hot at the moment. And if you're worried about stock options for it.....
https://www.airsoftworld.net/action-army-aac-t10-airsoft-rifle-full-dark-earth-tan.html
This is just one of the offerings.
Here is a short list of platforms that have proven themselves for the advaned airsoft sniper. Each has their ups and downs in no particular order
1. SRS silverback
2. Ares Striker
3. Nov SSG24
4. VSR 10 (over all most cost effective and supported)
Not knocking what you got, it ain't bad, but you're trying to upgrade something that's kinda non standard, it WILL become a money pit brother
If you want to get competitive fast you're going to have to square your gear fast. Upgrading non standard platforms like that is kind of advanced stuff and usualy leads to frustration from newer techs and becomes a money pit chasing groupings that are hard to obtain without a lot of hand working and advanced knowlage .
We respect what you're trying to do here, and who you are so we are here to help BUT, you have to understand that there are other platforms that even us advanced guys have moved to and or stuck with for a reason and the results we can get from them are no less than amazing for flinging round balls at 100 yards accuately.
If you want to fast track, you have to move one of the more wide spreed systems like the VSR .
They are no more expensive in their base format than what you got (around a 100 bucks) and you'll make up the money you spent on your current gun on the upgrade path with better results.
Your current rifle was NOT a waist BTW, it let you know you like this style of play, and that's worth it. We ALL did it, and ultimately we ALL moved to more standard systems after attempting to upgrade our first rifles
And by the way, I KNOW why you like that rifle, its the same reason all the prior service guys do especaly Marines . It took you guys until 2014 to get adjustable stocks and short barrels and you don't want to give them up LOL!! Plus you've trained on that configuration.
Trust us, go with a TRUE VSR compatable system if you want to fast track. The guys here will tell you whats what on which brand is hot at the moment. And if you're worried about stock options for it.....
https://www.airsoftworld.net/action-army-aac-t10-airsoft-rifle-full-dark-earth-tan.html
This is just one of the offerings.
Here is a short list of platforms that have proven themselves for the advaned airsoft sniper. Each has their ups and downs in no particular order
1. SRS silverback
2. Ares Striker
3. Nov SSG24
4. VSR 10 (over all most cost effective and supported)
Not knocking what you got, it ain't bad, but you're trying to upgrade something that's kinda non standard, it WILL become a money pit brother
Joined
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19 Posts
Sorry it took so long to reply and i appreciate all the advice and the thanks even more so. In a weird twist of events im not a proud owner of a BAR10 that yesterday was hitting 543 to 546 on the chrono. Instead of building the rifle formerly known by many names i bought the captain of my teams BAR10 and there isnt a thing left not upgraded. Prometheus tight bore, AA hopup and bucking, AA m150 spring, lay zero trigger, not sure what the cylinder is but its all been done big time and i got a great deal on it, i snag it for $250. Now, the scope is kinda weak its a field and stream 4x32. Its doing a ok job just snapping it and learning this beast. I love it cuz its not flashy almost a sleeper. Im in Lancaster pa and drove an hour and a half to the closest legit airsoft store to 1. Get me some weight to send down range which the price of that ammo alone gave me seizures. I got .4 for $40 for 1k, now those haven't been opened our sponsor loads us up with Valken bbs but since its not season yet the highest weight i found was .3 so im junking those. Im blessed cux my wife is awesome i can light up my house as long as i clean up and don't break nothing...refer to the pics..lol..we live kinda in the country and no one cares that around the house i basically open carry my airsoft weapons. Like taking out the trash Sunday nights involves putting my jpc on strapping my m18 on and having some fun. I live on the 2nd floor of a farm house and most of my sniper training comes out the windows of the 2nd floor agsin refer to pics..lol..if you looked at the pics youll see the white fence, its plastic and when the .25's hit it just makes a little noise. Since i brought Topanga home last night(my new rifle) i honestly havent slept and its 0900 ive been up all night engaging targets, again the pics im clearing the tree line with power so im right around the pinnacle distance of 300ft. So, ive gotten quite acquainted with Topanga and by the start of the season ill know every nuance she has..lol..i look forward to learning from silent stalkers...Semper Fi
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And i have to admit yall are 100% right about the first rifle i chose. I just got stuck on the idea of having a rifle that no one would expect to be out ranging their lipo fueled AEGS or having a propane truck following then with their HPA's..lol..im not completely giving up on the matrix, unless she gets sold cuz shes posted but im thinking i may use her to learn to build myself and take my time and see what i can turn her into. Now, onto my new lady. Although not exactly what yall were saying but just by looks alone i have to think the BAR10 is somewhat in the same family as yalls VSR10"s. And i wanna take a sec to say its nice to be surrounded by real marksman, these other roles in the airsoft community waste a hell of alot of ammo. Even when im running my m18 or mp5 i still count rounds and conserve ammo and always aim, even if providing covering and supressing fire..lol
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Topanga...hee hee hee. Love it.
I say keep the old gun as a test bench for mods, etc. That way you always have a rifle for the game (Topanga), and another one to try diabolical experiments on while working at a leisurely pace (i.e., not having to slam it together for the game). We have abnormally long winters for doing diabolical experiments...no rush, the snow doesn't melt in the foothills until May.
I say keep the old gun as a test bench for mods, etc. That way you always have a rifle for the game (Topanga), and another one to try diabolical experiments on while working at a leisurely pace (i.e., not having to slam it together for the game). We have abnormally long winters for doing diabolical experiments...no rush, the snow doesn't melt in the foothills until May.
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19 Posts
No rush..lol..so now im tell you the rest of the story. Ive been flirting with the idea of competitive airsoft for awhile. Id done nothing but walkons on and off for about a few months. Now, ive always had a few airsoft guns since 09 but they were always one shot cock it one shot and cock it and im not talking about sniper rifles. I had no clue the type of weapons that were awaiting me if only i knew where to look fast forward to this past December 2nd by accident i find what i thought was the airsoft holy website..airsoftc3.com, im acting like i just got into the skull and bones society. I get on create this awesome profile, i find the secret room that leads to every state which leads to every registered team in that state. I hit Pennsylvania my state and aaaaaahhhhhh!!! Teams!!! In order from closest to furtherest. I see the ones who are recruiting which it didn't seem weird at the time but now know EVERY team is always recruiting. I vet each team, read their bio watch videos if any and prepare different recruitment intrest letters to each..lol..true story..well, in 3 days i get replied back to by everyone i contacted. The first 5 said the same thing. " wow, forgot all about this site. Yeah, are team is down in membership right now" i say " how down he says " well, if you play its me and you"...whaaattt? Apparently the site was huge, during the airsoft revolution..lol..anyway my team contacts me, they see that although im new to airsoft weapons im not new to combat ecspecially CQB cuz majority of fighting in Iraq was MOUT/CQB. First official walkon with the team im approaching door ways and sharp turns how i was taught. As i approach i begin breaking my weapon down, titlting it back towards me perpendicular to wear the muzzle is facing up in the air this to keep from the bad guys on the other side from knocking my barrel down and weapon out of my hands..lol..guess that isn't a thing in airsoft..lol..and when i do turn the corner its in one balanced pivot cuz if i have to get a shot off we all know its impossible to get a clean shot off in an unbalanced stance, again not a thing in airsoft..not to long after when were breaching a door and i take the number 1 position in a combat stack and the others go running in like a jail break do i first feel what a round from 10 feet from a HPA feels like in the neck..lol..i thought it was a sniper cuz to this day i still didn't hear the shot yet...so now its mid December and i decide times ticking time to get serious. I have a grant from the VA for $1100 for stress therapy which airsoft is..lol..i buy a valken valken tactical battle machine trg l, G&G cm16r8l, my mp5, G&G 1911 extreme 45, a EF tact force 6xp, and a hicappa, then my matrix sr2 mb13 and now yesterday Topanga all since December 12th..and i had alot of gear left from the corps. I start making my setup and loadout and of course im keeping it marine corps, coyote everything. Then my team captain says btw we wear multicam..SOB!!! just bought a $100 tactical vest, with brand new Camelback, i see a mc jpc on ebay i love and buy that..lol..jan 1 rolls around i get my va benefits and step on the gas and go on a few more spending spress! I have so much extra stuff im now a seller..i have everything and then some. Which reminds me, if anyone is interested in a real sure fire HL1-C-TN helmet light with 3 white leds, 2 red leds, a 1 friend or foe beacon that is IR and blinks come see me. Those things are insanely expensive around $170 i dropped mine down to $80 but its on hopup which i quickly realized how much older i am than 96% of the kids on there,ill be 40 in july..lol..but i look nothing like my age and certainly dont act it. Ive been off work since mid November cuz im going tru treatment for mouth cancer, been chewing since i was 14 and it caught up to me. Its all good caught it early and have 2 weeks left of treatment. So. Im home all day while wifey works which means my entire days are occupied by airsoft in one way or another and i shoot every single day if its too cold i use my indoor range which she calls it something so different, the kitchen...semper fi
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446 Posts
Just so you know... The BAR10 IS a VSR10 platform. Not just that, but its the best VSR10 clone on the market so you're good to go. Probably 90% of us use the BAR10 as the base for our upgraded VSR10 rifles
Now all you have to do is learn how to maintain it. There is some work you have to put into it to keep it shooting it's best, but feel free to search to forums or ask us if something goes wrong with it. With that setup , there's nothing we wont know how to fix.
Also, order yourself some BLS .43 or HPA .43 ammo. you'll thank us latter
OH one last thing. A bunch of us have figured out that 3-9 variable power scopes pair well with these rifles. they add some versitility to the setup. You MAY prefer a short dot but that will be up to you.
Now all you have to do is learn how to maintain it. There is some work you have to put into it to keep it shooting it's best, but feel free to search to forums or ask us if something goes wrong with it. With that setup , there's nothing we wont know how to fix.
Also, order yourself some BLS .43 or HPA .43 ammo. you'll thank us latter
OH one last thing. A bunch of us have figured out that 3-9 variable power scopes pair well with these rifles. they add some versitility to the setup. You MAY prefer a short dot but that will be up to you.
Joined
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6 Posts
Hey where do you play at I'm looking for vets like myself to team up with to play i don't live to far from you
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