Re: Best sniper rifles currently for aggressive recon play?

Welcome back @saydzhi1975 ,

BF4 is still a great game after these many years!

Your question is quite a sensitive one, as to determine what weapon is the best is almost like personal religion to many who runs with a bolt action rifle!  :o)

Used myself to be a dedicated SSR-61 fan for the medium to longer ranges, until that got nerfed quite early on in the BF4 life...

Then the GOL Magnum was my absolute favorite bolt action, both CQC and medium range, until...  That also got nerfed, the very last time EA made changes again to the weapon balances...

What a shame really, as it was a great joy to use.  It was no easy feat either to get it actually...

And as there is no replacement for one's first love, then I more or less stopped running with bolt actions ever since then.

Though I do occasionally dust it off for specific situations...

So now when you say "for aggressive recon play", do you mean like in real CQC where you are running with the Assaults and Supports around you (<50m to targets) or more where you run and want to take out targets also on like medium ranges (50-100m) from time to time?

For the aggressive close quarter combat style the bullet drop over distance is of less importance, as there the full range of bolt action rifles are all on target.  Similar as well with bullet velocity, as the distance is short and you rarely will have trouble taking out running targets no matter the bolt action bullet velocity.  So the most important parameter in CQC mode are (I think) your weapon parameter for Rounds Per Minute (RPM) and second most important are then your total magazine size and time to reload, when discussing a bolt action rifle for CQC.   

Considering these parameters being most important for CQC gameplay, then these bolt action rifles scores well:

Weapon, RPM, Reload Time, Mag Size, Velocity, Damage drop over range. 

CS5:  53RPM, 2.7s, 11, 400m/s, 59 at 100m.

GOL: 44RPM, 3.3s, 6, 580m/s, 59 at 150m.

M40A5: 51RPM, 2.7s, 6, 520m/s, 59 at 100m.

338-Recon: 42RPM, 3.0s, 6, 560m/s, 59 at 150m

SV98: 43RPM, 2.9s, 11, 520m/s, 59 at 100m.

L115: 43RPM, 2.5s, 5, 630m/s, 59 at 100m.

I omitted the SR338 despite its 200RPM, as its actually more like a poor DMR, as its damage starts at just 50% at 10m distance, while all other bolt action rifles starts at 100% damage and are one headshot kills up to 35m or so.

But its up to your personal preferences and playstyle which one is going to realize "mutual love".  ;o)

I have messed up my own aim and rhythm these last years, as have switched around the weapons too much and too frequent.  So better pick one and stick with it, to get real comfortable with it.  Personally my preference is still on the GOL as best all-round.  While in truly CQC to short range, think the L115 is best, also when taking out running enemies in a sideshot.  Its superior velocity is terrific!   For both rifles though, get into the habit of reloading often!

AKA CS5 and the M40A5 or both fastest firing bolt actions in the game.  M40A5 has only 6 rounds in the mag, so you need to reload often.  But it has much better velocity tan CS5, so better at moving targets, certainly when a bit out on range.  Both do though have damage drop quite early on, so a few other bolt actions will do better if you often are on medium to longer distance also.

Not as fast firing but still beasts in CQC if handled well are the GOL and the 338-Recon.  They have both lightning velocity, so great on moving targets.  And their damage range is best of any of these 'fast firing' bolt action rifles.  So you will still also get the one shot kill out at slightly onger ranges when in CQC.  Which can make all the difference when up against fast firing enemy assault soldiers. Down side is their small mag size of just 6.  So get used to reload often, ideally while you still have one left in the chamber.  And the great thing about these two are they also work well on long ranges. 

Alternative for aggressive CQC recon is also to simply just load out with one of the great carbines in the game!

And still be able to support your squad with a spawn beacon, TUGs or run with C4 to blow up tanks or pesky enemy infantry hiding behind the corner. 

Enclosed the last copy of bolt action rifle stats on Symthic.  (maybe some of the weapon stats changed since then).