Sniper equipment

They included the German Mauser Gewehr 98K, U.S. M1903 Springfield and M1 Garand, Soviet Mosin–Nagant, Norwegian Krag–Jørgensen, Japanese Arisaka, and British Lee–Enfield No.

Models used for sniping were generally factory tested for accuracy and fitted with specialized components, including not just optics but also such items as slings, cheek pieces, and flash eliminators, which disperse gases at the muzzle away from the sniper's view, helping avoiding having the sniper blinded by the flash.

Besides that, purpose-built sniper rifle systems often offer factory made accessories like telescopic sight mounting sets, MIL-STD-1913 rails (Picatinny rails), auxiliary iron sights for emergency use, cleaning kits, muzzle brakes/flash-hiders and sound suppressors (silencers), monopods (buttspikes), bipods, handstops, mirage bands, soft and heavy-duty transit cases and various maintenance tools.

Telescopic sights are used with all types of systems that require accurate aiming but are most commonly found on firearms, particularly rifles[citation needed].

This ammunition often features a boat-tail (narrowing at the base end), because it provides better ballistic performance due to the reduced air resistance (drag).

Though target shooters often assemble their own ammunition from components to more precisely control the load and tune it to the specific rifle and task, this is practically unknown in military and police circles as this may interfere with various laws.

A sniper will enter information into a Data On Previous Engagement (DOPE) book, such as lot number, temperature, wind speed/direction, humidity and altitude.

Common solutions are to avoid exposure to direct sunlight by taking up a position in a shaded area or by covering the lens in non-reflective materials (some type of duct tape, fabric or metal mesh) leaving only a small slit to see through.

Plastic or foil "thermal blankets" can also be employed to cover a sniper and their equipment, but these, in turn, must then be camouflaged (often local foliage or material).

A full cover of rough webbing or fish-netting in a durable fabric is attached in irregular patterns designed to hide lines and blend in.