# Why are some sniper rifles so loud? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2006, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432 "2006-04-27T10:27:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432/21 "2006-04-29T04:25:18Z")
[The M107 sniper rifle](http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/rifle/M107.html) weighs 28 lbs unloaded. A 10 rd magazine adds another 10 lbs. It also has 11,500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432/22 "2006-04-29T20:14:35Z")
Okay, here’s some info from my copy of **Jane’s Guns Recognition Guide**. We’ll stick with sniper rifles in the 7.62 NATO power range as they are the most common. First the bolt guns: Accuracy International L96A1 6.5 kb/14.3 lbs Beretta Sniper 5.55kg/12.21 lbs Enfield Enforcer 4.42kg/9.72 lbs FN 30-11 Sniping Rifle 4.85 kg/ 10.67 lbs GIAT FR-F1 & FR-F2 5.20 kg/ 11.44 lbs Mauser SP66 6.25 kg/ 13.75 lbs Mauser 86 4.90 kg/ 10.78 lbs Parker Hale M82 4.80 kg/ 10.56 lbs Parker Hale 85 5.7 kg/ 11.88 lbs Sako TRG 4.7 kg/ 10.34 lbs Sig SSg-2000 6.6 kg/ 14.52 lbs Sig SSg-3000 5.4 kg/ 11.88 lbs Springfield US M1903A4 3.94 kg/ 8.67 lbs Steyr-Mannlicher SSG-69 3.90 kg/ 8.58 lbs US M40A1 6.57 kg/ 14.54 lbs Vapensmia NM149S 5.6 kg/ 12.32 lbs Now the autoloaders: Dragunov 4.31 kg/ 9.48 lbs H&K PSG1 8.1 kg/ 17.82 lbs H&K MSG90 6.4 kg/ 14.08 lbs Stoner SR-25 4.88 kg/ 10.73 lbs Zastava M76 4.20 kg/ 9.2 lbs I left a few rifles out because specific information wasn’t included for their sniper variants. Out of these 21 sniper rifles, 16 of them come in a pound or more under the (rather arbitrary) 15 pound mark. Of course, if you go with guns of larger of smaller caliber than those in this power range you can get something like the Gepard M3 which uses the 14.5 x 114mm round and weighs 20 kg or the VAL Silent Sniper in 9 x 39 mm Special which weighs only 2.5 kg. I’m having trouble locating my copy of **Small Arms of the World**. More when it turns up. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432/23 "2006-04-29T21:12:24Z")
Okay, I give up. It was a flippant remark that just expressed some suprise with the weight of the example. I also lied about being able to kill people with my bike at 1400 meters. It’s more like 50. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2006, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432/24 "2006-04-29T23:38:47Z")
[QUOTE=spingears] Flash supressors OTOH hide the flash to minimize visual detection of the guns position. [/QUOTE] I thought that flash supressors hide the flash from the firer (thus preventing a little distraction from dazzling), they don’t make the flash invisible to anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![NoriMori](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/norimori/32/13254_2.png) [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432/25 "2012-05-01T02:57:46Z")
I know I’m 6 years and 1 day late to the party, but while we’re talking about how much sniper rifles weigh, I’d like to mention that the Denel NTW-20 uses .79 caliber ammunition and weighs a whopping 68 pounds. (But then I guess I should also mention that it’s South African and is primarily an anti-materiel rifle.) > [@Snooooopy](#): > > Sniper rifles shouldn’t be loud. I mean, if you’re toting a bright fuchsia rifle, how are you supposed to sneak around in the forest? Muted colors are the way to go. …Well-played, sir. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-sniper-rifles-so-loud/354432.md?page=1)