Scoped rifles

Scoped Rifles, or Sniper rifles are a distinct group of weapons found in Red Dead Redemption. Though the idea of a sharpshooter employing a high powered, long range weapon to take out a specific individual on a battlefield had been around since the nepolionic era, Scopes were a realitively new development at the time of Red Dead Redemption. A scoped weapon would be a rare item for any civilian to own, espically in the west where general purpose weapons ruled the day.

Characteristics
Typically, Sniper rifles are high powered weapons with low fire and reload weights. They come equipped with a scope that can be activated using L2 or LT respectively. Because of these characteristics, Sniper Rifles excel at hunting, with some being able to drop Grizzly bears in one shot. However, they are mediocre in a typical medium range range engagment due to their low rate of fire and poor field of vision when looking down the scope..

Locations
Sniper Rifles Can be found in Gunsmiths around Red Dead Redemption. In addition, later in the game, one will be given to you.