Best semi-auto gun in the game?

[Dead...Again]

I am a crappy sniper, so when I play recon I usually either:
a. use one of the general gun replacements like a shotty
b. use the semi-auto sniper rifles with iron sights
c. use the semi-auto sniper rifles with x4 scope

So anyway, my question is: what is the best semi-auto gun? I have been using the MK11 and SVD, and both seem pretty good. Tried the SKS, and it sucks. How do the other semi-auto sniper rifles stack up?

[paceman]

I use the M39 with the 4x scope. My favorite so far.

[Skud]

I use the M39 with the 4x scope. My favorite so far.

Is that unlocked in a co-op mission or rush? There are two I don't have...and I know I get shot with that m39 a bit.

The other semi auto unlocked in the achievements, the QB something or another, seems kind of fun for mid range stuff, though I haven't used it enough to get used to its bullet drop and speed.

Better, imo, than the semis for sniping are the m98 and L96, especially with the short bolt. L96, to me, seems more accurate, but 98 does more damage...though without clean shots they both can take two to kill. I think, however, it's just as fun to watch someone get up and scramble for cover when you shoot them in the duff or even just hit next to them from half across the map, lol.

[BadHabitz]

Is that unlocked in a co-op mission or rush? There are two I don't have...and I know I get shot with that m39 a bit.

It's a co-op unlock. I also have to say that it's an awesome weapon. In HC you can kill someone with a double-tap or a headshot. It's really nice.

[Skud]

It's a co-op unlock. I also have to say that it's an awesome weapon. In HC you can kill someone with a double-tap or a headshot. It's really nice.

Thanks. I guess ill have to try a co-op some day.

[SighKoPath]

Yeah, M39 is a co-op unlock, 58000 co-op score.

Of the semi-auto rifles, I prefer the SKS, with either a red dot or holo sight (I haven't unlocked the M39 yet). But when I play recon, I usually use the L96, a PDW, or a shotgun.

[Schultzy]

I am in love with the SKS.

Though, I have not yet used the M39, though I have unlocked it.

[Dead...Again]

SKS doesn't do enough damage in my opinion.

[S-Man]

Wish they had the M1 Garand

[Douche Lord]

I used to be a shitty sniper but then I practiced with a bolt action.. I'm not a shitty sniper anymore lol.

IMO, good use of a bolt action is much more fun, rewarding and perhaps even more effective than a semi auto.

If you search for the best semi auto you'll just be a shitty sniper with a good semi auto!

[Skud]

If you search for the best semi auto you'll just be a shitty sniper with a good semi auto!

Oh that's a douchey thing to say!

[Douche Lord]

Oh that's a douchey thing to say!

XD well I did go for the easy-mode snipers for a very short while and needless to say I was disappointed in myself, so I'm being douchey out of experience instead of arrogance

[Schultzy]

Here I was wondering if his shittyness was limited to only the recon class.

[NateTheBrewer]

Take a look at this chart: http://symthic.com/?s=bf3

I just started using the bolt action snipers, as I was waiting to get the M98. I have always loved the semi-auto high (greater than assault) caliber rifles in BF games - throw a red dot site on them and they are great. I think this came from using the G3 in single shot in BF2. They are actually great assault weapons, as you can usually drop people just as fast or faster at close range, and still engage at medium-long range quite well.

If you reference the chart above, the Mk11, SVD, and M39 are identical weapons. Dice's way of leveling the playing field in their games involves offering multiple identical weapons with different skins.

The SKS (my preference for semi-auto assault weapon) is unique from the others in that:

** Keep in mind that hardcore starts players with 60 damage points instead of 100. This is why sniper trends change when you go hardcore.

1. Its damage plot, depending on range, is 34-30 depending on how far away you are, versus the 50-34 for the rest. In hardcore, this equates to requiring 2 shots to kill with either gun.

2. Its max range is the lowest of all the sniper rifles. 2200 meters versus the 2400-3200 for the other snipers (the only one at the 3200 end is the M9. It is still TWICE the max range of the longest slinging assault rifles and support weapons.

3. Its bullets travel a bit slower than the next slowest sniper rifle, the M40. Take this with a grain of salt - I was just surprised to find that half the freaking submachine guns bullets travel faster than some of the sniper rifles... ******** BF3.

4. You get a 20 round magazine. All the other snipers are 10 or less. Very good for assault.

5. The recoil/spread of the weapon is almost HALF that of the other autosnipers - the one thing I hate about the others is the 'dead' time between shots. It seems like with a short-pull bolt you can pull second shots off quicker on a bolt action than with the M39.Mk11/SVD.

The best thing you can do is give it a try. I recommend any Holo scope (believe me, the circle around the red dot does indeed help with target acquisition better than the basic red dot), and foregrip. Don't bother with any sort of supressor as it reduces much of the awesomeness of the weapon.

[SighKoPath]

The trouble I've seen with holo scopes and the semi-auto rifles is that if you fire too quickly after scoping in, your first shot will be incredibly wild. I'm not sure if it also does this with the RDS... anyone know?