Why do sniper, varmint, or precision rifles have to be big and heavy?

[Arc-Lite]

A sniper is a member of a team, his position on that team, is to provide multiple options, or solutions, both short or long range. Quantity of fire, is replaced by quality of fire. To increase the quality of fire, you try to reduce the many variables... "Long range" begins at 600M, at that distance, you want ALL the equipment that has proven itself in "past" shots.

 

[Zak Smith]

What I don't understand is why a sniper/target shooter would want a long (24"+) barrel instead of a shorter (< 20") bull barrel......

There are, of course, different rifles for different applications. The IBA XM-3 is 18" and ships with a suppressor. The M24 is 24" (if I remember correctly). The AI-AW is 26-27 (308 vs 338LM); the TRG-42 is 27". Velocity helps with long-range ability.

-z

 

[aspade]

Lawyers. Using anything other than a "purpose built" firearm in a shooting incident will get you torn apart in a court of law.

That's half of it. The other half is the same reason they 'need' ski masks and black leather boots and tactical hydration systems and mean looking folding knives and all the rest of it - soldier boy wanna be syndrome.