what's better sniper rifle or hunting rifle?

[Domn Eugen]

ehh idk

[olonojik]

I am like hunting rifle, but its you mind.

[God Bless The Dead]

Sniper is way better in all departments..
Better damage on the sniper
More headshot bonus damage on the sniper
1 round for rifle and 5 for sniper before reloads
Zoom on the sniper.
And I am sure there is more stuff but thats just a few off the top of my head...

[Spritetoggle]

Based on information on the wiki, the Hunting Rifle has overall more raw power and higher chance to dismember zombies, but the Sniper Rifle allows for faster followup shots with its 5 round magazine - and it has an adjustable scope, if that's your thing. There are certainly other differences, but those are the standouts to me.

So I guess it really comes down to a mix of preference and skill?

[Domn Eugen]

oh thanks

[Spritetoggle]

Quick followup, I checked the damage values of the Hunting Rifle vs. Sniper Rifle in the XML files, because I realized the info on the wiki is from A15, and they still match up.

The damage difference isn't huge, but the Hunting Rifle is indeed slightly stronger than the Sniper.

Hunting base damage: 45. Max: 75.
Sniper base damage: 41.4 Max: 69.

Edit: Forgot to mention, God Bless the Dead is correct on the headshot bonus. Hunting rifle is 6, Sniper is 9.

[rpackc]

Though I prefer the sniper rifle, particularly against cops in any form, they're both nearly useless until you pump up those rifle skills.

[felmari]

sniper fire rate capacity and scope in a pinch ok hip fire. hunting rifle dmg good iron sight one bullet and slow reload just a little faster than crossbow.

[Lemming]

Originally posted by TheSSuper321:

ehh idk

Even once I have both in top quality flavors, it's almost down to how I'm feeling that day anymore. I mean, on paper the sniper rifle is probably better, but as I'm using them I guess I don't really feel that much difference. The main thing that got me to start using hunting rifles a bit more as time went on is that I tend to lose situational awareness in the scope of the sniper rifle as I line up a shot. Also...the hunting rifle just sounds a lot more satisfying...

With the recent patch I also have a bit of an issue in that I like to go hunt the wasteland at night, but night vision doesn't work with the sniper scope. If you crank your gamma it's not an issue, but I play at about default and it's freakin' dark at night without nvg. Either they altered lighting a lot with A16 or I'm going blind, because before I get electric lights going I need candles about every 4 blocks to see anything inside/at night.

[YamaKami]

Sniper rifle. Unless you are looking to knee cap zombies...

[Kunovega]

It's not even a contest. Sniper rifle is more damage, larger capacity, better zoom (mouse wheel to scope in further)

There is litterally nothing about the hunting rifle that is better, not a single statistic

The only point to the hunting rifle (if there is one at all) is that it doesn't share the same parts. If you happen to get a lot of hunting rifle parts its a decent day to day rifle while you are out looting and hunting

Saving your sniper rifle for blood moons (until you have high enough repair skills to not lose quality on repair, then sniper all the way)

There's only 3 weapons I "always" have on me: compound bow (steel arrows), sniper rifle and machete

I do use every other weapon in the game, all of them. But I'll rotate depending on what parts and ammo are available or what I'm in the mood for. But no matter what other weapons I happen to be bringing along, those 3 are always included in my loadout

[YamaKami]

Originally posted by Kunovega:

It's not even a contest. Sniper rifle is more damage, larger capacity, better zoom (mouse wheel to scope in further)

There is litterally nothing about the hunting rifle that is better, not a single statistic

The only point to the hunting rifle (if there is one at all) is that it doesn't share the same parts. If you happen to get a lot of hunting rifle parts its a decent day to day rifle while you are out looting and hunting

Saving your sniper rifle for blood moons (until you have high enough repair skills to not lose quality on repair, then sniper all the way)

There's only 3 weapons I "always" have on me: compound bow (steel arrows), sniper rifle and machete

I do use every other weapon in the game, all of them. But I'll rotate depending on what parts and ammo are available or what I'm in the mood for. But no matter what other weapons I happen to be bringing along, those 3 are always included in my loadout

Hunting rifle has more base damage actually. The head shot multiplier makes the difference in the sniper rifles favor though. Hence unless knee capping then then the sniper rifle is the better choice.

Originally posted by Spritetoggle:

Quick followup, I checked the damage values of the Hunting Rifle vs. Sniper Rifle in the XML files, because I realized the info on the wiki is from A15, and they still match up.

The damage difference isn't huge, but the Hunting Rifle is indeed slightly stronger than the Sniper.

Hunting base damage: 45. Max: 75.
Sniper base damage: 41.4 Max: 69.

Edit: Forgot to mention, God Bless the Dead is correct on the headshot bonus. Hunting rifle is 6, Sniper is 9.

^there's the figures.

[Schnecktor]

hunting rifle works with night-vision goggles - sniper does not. one reason i stick with hunting-rifle for certain situations ( hunting screamers in the middle of the night for example).

[YamaKami]

Originally posted by Schnecktor:

hunting rifle works with night-vision goggles - sniper does not. one reason i stick with hunting-rifle for certain situations ( hunting screamers in the middle of the night for example).

Good point. I had to put spotlights up on my horde base when I had the sniper rifle because scoping meant staring into the dark (having night vision googles on). Though I would take an AK over the hunting rifle any day as my alternate rifle.

[KellyR]

I'd like the AK if it could be switched to semi-auto.

Though for Blood Moon horde defense, shotgun w/ slugs > all.

My pitfall, blade traps, spikes, electric fences, and my machete are sufficient to handle everything except the cops. And when the cops pop in, I want massive, massive overkill damage. Shotgun slugs are just hands-down the winner for that.

When I'm out looting though, I bring the SMG. It uses cheap ammo, it's quiet and doesn't seem to attract as much attention from the zombies as other guns, and you can spray if things get really tight.

It sort of depends on what I intend to be doing. Horde defense, I'm carrying the mp5 and the shotgun loaded with slugs. Sweeping buildings for loot? MP5 and shotgun loaded with buckshot. Running around junking cars? Probably sniper rifle and MP5, so I'm good at all ranges (And I can easily bring down any game animals I run across).

I really don't see myself ever carrying the AK, which is sad, because my favorite of my RL guns is a Kalashnikov based gun. But in the game it's just not good enough at anything. Sniper rifle and hunting rifle are more powerful, MP5 is *much* higher rate of fire, shotgun is better for large groups up close with buckshot, and better for taking out hard targets with slugs.

It's not the best up close, it's not the best at a distance, it's not the best for hard targets, it's not the best for hordes of soft targets. It's a jack of all trades, but I'd rather carry two guns and have the exact right tool for the job.

Then again, I actually go for my melee weapon more often than ranged weapons for most situations anyway :D

[YamaKami]

AK can be fired one round at a time in short burts or at full auto. It's all in the finger aka how you use your mouse.

Now that SMG uses 9mm (as of A16) and still is in the rifle category, it quickly replaces any early game 9mm pistols in use. I prefer the rifle skills overall, so that one just makes sense for me.