Fallout 76 Weapons Ranked: 18 Best for Sniper Builds

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Sniper builds in Fallout 76 offer a thrilling playstyle, rewarding precision and patience. Whether you're picking off enemies from a distance or setting up the perfect ambush, having the right weapon is crucial. After extensive testing and community feedback, we’ve ranked the 18 best weapons for sniper builds, considering damage, accuracy, and versatility.

Top-Tier Sniper Rifles
1. Gauss Rifle
The Gauss Rifle remains one of the most powerful options, delivering high ballistic and energy damage. Its charged shots can one-shot most enemies, making it ideal for stealth snipers. Look for legendary variants like Instigating or Anti-Armor for maximum efficiency.

2. Hunting Rifle (Prime Receiver Mod)
A classic choice, the Hunting Rifle is highly customizable. With a Prime Receiver, it becomes a beast against Scorched and other high-level enemies. It’s also one of the easiest to maintain, making it great for long expeditions.

3. Lever Action Rifle
Balancing fire rate and damage, the Lever Action Rifle is perfect for players who prefer a faster-paced sniper build. A Two-Shot or Quad legendary effect can turn this into an endgame powerhouse.

4. The Fixer (Stealth Mods)
While primarily a commando weapon, The Fixer can be modded into a deadly semi-auto sniper. Its built-in stealth bonuses make it a great hybrid option for players who like flexibility.

5. Black Powder Rifle
For those who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay, the Black Powder Rifle deals massive damage per shot. Just be ready for a long reload—positioning is key.

Mid-Tier but Still Viable
6. Crossbow (Explosive Mod)
Silent and deadly, the Crossbow is a unique pick for stealth snipers. The Explosive Bolt mod adds area damage, making it useful for grouped enemies.

7. Railway Rifle (Semi-Auto Mod)
Surprisingly effective as a sniper weapon, the Railway Rifle has high base damage and armor penetration. Just be mindful of its recoil and ammo weight.

8. Radium Rifle
Though tricky to mod, a well-optimized Radium Rifle can be a strong radiation-based sniper option, especially against human enemies.

9. Combat Rifle (Sniper Barrel Mod)
A more accessible alternative to The Fixer, the Combat Rifle can be modded for long-range engagements with solid DPS.

Budget & Early-Game Options
10. Pipe Bolt-Action Rifle
Don’t underestimate the Pipe Bolt-Action Rifle—it’s cheap to maintain and can carry you through the early game with the right perks.

11. Assault Rifle (Sniper Mod)
While not the best in class, the Assault Rifle can be modded for decent sniping when better options aren’t available.

12. Plasma Rifle (Sniper Barrel Mod)
A Plasma Rifle with a sniper barrel offers energy-based sniping, useful against enemies resistant to ballistic damage.

Honorable Mentions
13. Enclave Plasma Rifle (Aligned Sniper Barrel) – Hard to obtain but top-tier.

14. Western Revolver (Scoped Mod) – A fun sidearm for pistol-sniper hybrids.

15. Bow (Explosive or Plasma Arrows) – Another stealthy alternative.

16. Dragon (Black Powder Rifle Variant) – Four barrels mean four chances to crit.

17. Alien Blaster (Cryo Mod) – Niche but fun for energy snipers.

18. Gamma Gun (Stealth Mods) – Specialized against human foes.

Final Tips for Sniper Builds
Perks Matter: Rifleman, Tank Killer, Covert Operative, and Sneak are essential.

Stealth is Key: Stay hidden to maximize damage with Escape Artist and Shadowed Armor.

Ammo Efficiency: Since sniper builds rely on fewer shots, stock up on Fallout 76 Items for sale to keep your ammo supply steady.

Legendary Effects: Prioritize Instigating, Anti-Armor, or Bloodied for maximum damage.

If you’re looking to upgrade your arsenal, check out the Best Place to buy Fallout 76 Caps to get the mods and weapons you need without the grind.