From: eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu (Dave Bonar)
Subject: Re: Twilight 2000 SniperRifle
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-24383]: sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Keywords: Sniper Rifle
Reply-To: eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
Organization: News and Views from LSU
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 14:22:28 GMT

In article <Bs63uC.B5v@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, dv52151@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Axly) writes...
>eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu (Dave Bonar) writes:
> 
>Well, the RAI Model 500 sniper rifle shows up in the Special Operations  
>supplement. This weapons is built to a specific use (This results in a 
>-1 to recoil in game terms for the ones the 2nd Recon Marines use.)
>The section on 2nd Recon says to extend the range to 300 meters. I 
>assumed they meant range with match ammo, which is normally 200 on the
>RAI model 500. Then I cut the range by a factor of four to get the range
>without bipod since that was what it was cut by for the base RAI 500.
>Range deteriorated by 1/2 using BMG for the base RAI, so I assumed likewise
>for the Marine variant.
> 
>This gives you an extreme range of 2400 meters. Is this realistic? I don't
>know any snipers offhand myself. 

	To answer stuff in reverse order; yes, 2400 meters is long but
not impossible.  In Vietnam there were confirmed hits at 1+ miles using
M2HB MG fitted with a sniper scope (obviously firing single shots).  2400
is greater but not be that much.

	However, I'd still have some problems with a 300 meter range.  Some
similar weapons (including range with bipod).

Barret 82		90
M21			75
M40			75
M2HB (tripod)		150
M60 (bipod)		95
M60 (tripod)		125

	(all of these are without scope)

	Since I find it very hard to believe that the Marine sniper rifle
is that much beter then other US weapons I'd tend to give it a range of 
75 normally and 150 with bipod (yes, this is increased from previous).
I guess that doubling that range with match ammo is my only real problem.
I probably wouldn't do it.  I might make it 200.  The only justification
is balance and playability

>	I wouldn't allow this to be taken as a personal weapon.  Nor
>>would I allow the character to start with any free ammo other then BMG
>>(obviously they could buy extra good ammo).  Of course, I tend to take the
>>view that oil and gas are a little more available then many people make it
>>but rare ammo types are very rare.
> 
>I was kind of hesitant to give this out as a personal weapon myself. However,
>since it's the weapon that most Marine snipers are issued, it sort of isn't
>realistic for them not to have one.

	Depends on what type of game you are playing.  In a Merc2000 type
of world a sniper character might well be able to start with such a gun
(depending on contacts and such).  I'd even allow some match grade ammo.
However, in a normal Twilight world everything is starting to collapse.
Match grade ammo has been either shot or is trapped somewhere in fouled
up supply lines.  Snipers have been reissued normal rifles due to lack of
ammo.  

	To reflect this, I've generally modified the personal weapon deal.
Officers still receive a free pistol.  Other then that, everyone gets $500
beyond their normal money.  This keeps everyone from taking M60 as their
"personal" weapon and then buying a cheap assualt rifle.  Additionally,
British characters get a discount to purchase British weapons (which all 
have inflated prices on the game list).

Dave
__________
Dave Bonar
eebonar@lsuvax.sncc.lsu.edu
__________

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