The best Warzone sniper rifles for power, range, and speed

Guide by Josh Broadwell Contributor

Published on June 18, 2021

Call of Duty Warzone sniper rifles are some of the most-played weapons in the game, and for good reason. No other weapon guarantees the power and versatility sniper rifles do, though of course, not every rifle is worth playing.

Any rifle should offer good range and high power, but the best rifles give you speed as well. Our Warzone sniper rifles list breaks down the best ones to aim for based on power, speed, and how easy they are to obtain.

For more on Warzone, check out our best Warzone loadouts page.

Best Warzone sniper rifle for power

The best Warzone sniper rifle purely from a power standpoint is still the Kar98k, unless you prefer picking opponents off from a distance. The Kar98k can down an opponent in one shot at close and mid range. It also has some of the fastest ADS speeds in its class, the closest you’ll get to accurate hip fire with a sniper rifle.

What the Kar98k can’t do is kill enemies at long range. Even if you augment its long-range accuracy, its effective damage range decreases dramatically the further out you aim.

How to get Kar98k in Warzone

You’ll need to be level 33 or higher in Warzone or Modern Warfare to unlock the Kar98k.

Best Kar98k Attachments

Our Kar98k loadout fixes the rifle's range issue, and while it slows the ADS some, the stock rectifies that to an extent. Using a laser with the Monolithic Suppressor might seem counterintuitive, since you'll give your position away. However, the extra accuracy can make all the difference in hitting your target quickly so you can move on.

Best Kar98k Attachments
Attachment type	Name
Muzzle	Monolithic Suppressor
Barrel	Singuard Custom 27.6”
Laser	Tac Laser
Optic	Sniper Scope
Stock	FTAC Sport Comb

Best Warzone sniper rifle that isn't Kar98k

If you want a sniper rifle that isn’t the Kar98k, try the SP-R 208. It’s also deadly at close and mid-range, though has slower ADS speeds and worse flinch resistance thanks to the October 2020 nerf.

How to get SP-R 208 in Warzone

Getting the SP-R in Warzone requires you to land two long-distance headshots in five different matches. It might take a while to do that depending on your loadout, but the next sniper rifles on our list should be able to help.

Best SP-R 208 Attachments

You can technically use the .300 Norma Mag 5-R Mags for SP-R 208 ammunition, but the Lapua mag lets you deal heavier damage with torso shots, even after 2020's nerf.

Best SP-R 208 Attachments
Attachment type	Name
Muzzle	Monolithic Suppressor
Barrel	SP-R 26″
Laser	Tac Laser
Optic	Solozero SP-R 28mm
Stock	No Stock
Ammunition	.338 Lapua Mag 5-R Mag

Best Warzone long-range sniper rifle

Warzone’s best long-range sniper rifle is a toss-up between the ZRG 20mm and the HDR. The ZRG is Warzone’s gun with the highest bullet velocity, which means your bullets travel faster and hit harder. That’s exactly what you want from a sniper rifle, and it also makes the ZRG handy even for mid-range shots. Better still, the ZRG bullet drop is almost zero, making long-distance accuracy much easier.

How to get ZRG 20mm in Warzone

You’ll need to put in some work to get the ZRG in Warzone. Unlocking it requires you to get two longshot kills in 10 separate matches.

Best ZRG 20mm Attachments

The variable zoom scope slows your ADS a fair bit, but the added visibility and accuracy complements the ZRG's main strengths perfectly.

Best ZRG 20mm Attachments
Attachment type	Name
Muzzle	Agency Moderator
Ammo	5 RND magazine
Optic	Variable Zoom Scope
Barrel	43.9″ Combat Recon
Rear grip	Serpent Wrap

Warzone HDR

The second best choice is the HDR, and it’s the one you’ll likely grab first if you’re new to Warzone. Its long-range damage and ADS speed are high and the HDR bullet drop is low. However, you’ll need a good loadout to increase its bullet velocity.

How to get HDR in Warzone

You’ll unlock the HDR at level 11, though, giving you plenty of time to work on loadouts and bag longshot kills for better weapons.

Best HDR Attachments

The HDR's high ADS means it can withstand the zoom scope's speed penalty, but the stock helps ameliorate the slowdown too.

Best HDR Attachments
Attachment type	Name
Muzzle	Monolithic Suppressor
Barrel	26.9″ HDR Pro
Optic	Variable Zoom Scope
Stock	FTAC Stalker-Scout
Ammo	9 Round Mags

Best Warzone sniper rifle for new players

If you’re just starting out and want a Warzone sniper rifle for new players, we recommend the Pelington. True, its base damage output is rather low compared to the other rifles on our list. However, you can make up for that with a good loadout, and the Pelington has fast reload speed and ADS speed to make up for low damage.