Part 46

Explore the M98B and semi-auto sniper rifles in Battlefield Hardline. Learn about their stats, unlock requirements, damage profiles, and effective combat strategies for both factions.

This section details two types of sniper rifles in Battlefield Hardline: the bolt-action M98B and the semi-automatic sniper rifles.

M98B

The M98B sniper rifle was added with the Betrayal DLC but does not require the expansion to access. It features a 10+1 round magazine and a slow fire rate due to a delayed bolt-cycling animation, taking over two seconds per shot. It has a long damage drop-off start distance, allowing for one-hit kills to the chest/arms up to 50 meters, similar to the .300 Knockout, but without heavy bullet drop. The M98B has a massive x4.5 first-shot multiplier and very slow recoil recovery. It comes without attachments and cannot equip a straight-pull bolt or muzzle attachments other than a suppressor, which would reduce velocity and increase drop.

• Ammo: .338 Magnum
• Capacity: 10+1
• Fire-rate: 27 RPM
• Reload: 3.20 secs
• Unlocks: $48,000 [both factions]

Trivia: The M98B is manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. A modified version, the Barrett MRAD, was produced for the USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle program. An integrally-suppressed version of the MRAD was displayed in 2015.

Semi-Auto Sniper Rifles

Semi-auto sniper rifles, previously classified as designated marksman rifles (DMRs) in BF4, are typically used in a support role at medium ranges, unlike bolt-action snipers used at long ranges. They offer higher rates of fire and larger magazines but have reduced bullet damage and slightly less aimed accuracy compared to bolt-action variants. All semi-auto snipers must be purchased with in-game money (XP) and most are faction-locked. The starting primary for the Professional class is the Scout Elite.

Damage Profiles:

Ammunition	Max. Damage	Damage Drop-Off	Min. Damage	Weapons
.416 Barrett	90.0	70m to 130m	55.0	M82 .416
7.62x51mm NATO	43.0	60m to 120m	34.0	SOCOM16, SR25, PTR91, Saiga .308, SP-AR
7.62x39mm WP	45.0	8m to 60m	35.0	Saiga .308
5.56x45mm NATO	30.0	10m to 20m	24.0	RO933 M1

(Console damage stats; PC stats may differ.)

The SOCOM16, SR25, PTR91, Saiga .308, and SP-AR generally require three hits to kill at all ranges and cannot achieve a one-shot headshot kill. The M82 has a two-hit kill at all ranges and can achieve one-hit headshots. Semi-auto snipers can equip a full selection of optics, but medium-range scopes are recommended to avoid the glint effect. The angled foregrip is a good attachment choice as it reduces first-shot recoil.

SOCOM16

• Ammo: 7.62x51mm
• Capacity: 20+1
• Fire-rate: 360 RPM
• Reload: 2.40 secs
• Unlocks: $24,000 [cops] / 1,250 kills with it and buy license [criminals]

Summary: The four semi-auto snipers available at launch have similar stats regarding rate of fire, magazine capacity, reload times, and recoil. The SOCOM16 has double the spread increase per shot (SIPS) compared to the other three, making successive shots less accurate.