Battlefield 6 brings sniping back to its tactical roots with a refined system that rewards precision, positioning, and patience. The current meta favors rifles that can deliver consistent one-shot eliminations while maintaining mobility for repositioning after engagements.

Battlefield 6's top three sniper rifles

M2010 ESR: The versatile champion

The M2010 ESR emerges as the standout choice for most players, combining accessibility with devastating effectiveness. This bolt-action rifle delivers 100 damage per shot with perfect precision, making it capable of instant eliminations through headshots or upper torso hits at optimal ranges.

What sets the M2010 ESR apart is its sweet spot damage system. When engaging targets at 70-80 meters or beyond, shots to the upper torso or neck region become instant kills. This mechanic transforms positioning strategy, as maintaining distance becomes crucial for maximum lethality.​

The rifle's 43 rounds per minute fire rate demands disciplined shot selection, but rewards skilled players with consistent performance. Its attachment compatibility allows for significant customization, enabling players to optimize for different engagement scenarios.

PSR: The extreme range specialist

The PSR represents the pinnacle of long-range performance in Battlefield 6, designed specifically for extreme distance engagements. Built for stationary overwatching, this rifle excels at ranges between 75-150 meters where other weapons struggle.

However, the PSR comes with notoriously difficult unlock requirements. Players must complete the Deadeye 2 assignment, which demands 150 headshot kills over 200 meters with sniper rifles, plus 300 total sniper kills. Most Battlefield 6 maps lack sufficient long-range sightlines for natural completion of these challenges, forcing players to seek specialized game modes or Portal servers.

SV-98: The balanced alternative

The SV-98 offers middle-ground performance between the accessible M2010 ESR and specialized PSR. With similar bullet velocity and fire rate to other rifles, its primary distinction lies in sweet spot range characteristics.

​Unfortunately, the SV-98 shares extremely similar statistics with the PSR, with the sweet spot range being the only meaningful difference between these two rifles. This similarity makes the choice between them largely dependent on unlock accessibility rather than performance advantages.

Essential attachments for optimal performance

Core performance setup

The most effective M2010 ESR configuration focuses on stability, bullet velocity, and follow-up shot capability:​

Muzzle: Flash Hider reduces muzzle flash visibility, maintaining stealth between shots​.

Barrel: 26″ Carbon provides crucial bullet velocity for long-range accuracy and reduced travel time.​

Underbarrel: Bipod delivers near-zero sway when prone, essential for difficult long-range shots.​

Ergonomics: DLC Bolt allows rechambering without breaking scope view, dramatically improving follow-up speed.​

Ammunition: Match Grade or Tungsten Core for enhanced range and penetration.​

Magazine: 5-round capacity keeps attachment point costs manageable while providing adequate firepower.​

Optic considerations

Scope selection depends heavily on engagement range and personal preference. The S-VPS 6.00x offers versatile magnification suitable for most situations, while 8x scopes like the NFX provide better target identification at extreme distances.

​The Anti-Glare Coating accessory becomes crucial for reducing scope glint, though it requires significant weapon mastery to unlock.

The Range Finder attachment automatically sets zeroing to crosshair distance, removing guesswork from bullet drop calculations.

How to build effective sniper loadouts

Long-range overwatch setup

For traditional sniper roles focusing on area denial and target elimination:

​Primary: M2010 ESR with 26″ Carbon barrel, Flash Hider, Bipod, DLC Bolt, Match Grade ammo, NFX 8.00x scope with Anti-Glare coating

Class: Recon for reduced sway, breath control, and faster rechambering

Gadgets: Recon Drone for target spotting, AP Mine for flank protection

Secondary: P18 pistol for emergency close encounters

Aggressive flanking build

For players preferring mobile sniping with forward positioning:

​Primary: M2010 ESR with 24″ Fluted barrel, Lightened Suppressor, Slim Angled grip, S-VPS 6.00x with Canted Reflex

Class: Assault with Deploy Beacon for team repositioning

Gadgets: M4A1 carbine backup, Assault Ladder for improvised sightlines

Utility: Frag Grenades for area denial

For now, M2010 ESR is the best sniper in Battlefield 6. Its combination of one-shot potential in the upper torso/head, strong attachments, and synergy with Recon’s Field Spec system give it a clear edge. As new seasons or patches roll out, other sniper rifles (like PSR) may rise — but until then, mastering the M2010 ESR is your optimal sniping path.