When it comes to the skilled marksmanship of the scout class in Battlefield 1, a steady aim, pre-calculated bullet drop, and patience are crucial. Disrupting enemy movements and taking out targets from obscure spots on the map relies on both the players' sniping skills and the weapon's performance.
In this article, we'll explore the top scout-class weapons in Battlefield 1 and rank them based on their damage output, range, and bullet velocity. Different firearms are suitable for different situations, and this ranking takes that into account. This information is thanks to the Battlefield Fandom for providing all the useful stats covered here.
5 Russian 1895 Trench
Well-Suited for Medium and Close-Quarter Firefights
- High Rate of Fire of 124RPM
Upon reaching Level 1 of the Scout class and spending 200 Warbands, players can unlock the Russian 1895 Trench gun. Unlike other scout weapons, the Russian 1895 employs a lever-action mechanism, giving it a decently high rate of fire (124 rpm). This makes it a fierce weapon in close quarters, especially in a tight setting like Fort De Vaux.
This almost gives the Scout class an assault-type role, making it versatile for maps or situations that do not warrant long-range sniping. However, its poor bullet velocity (530 m/s) results in severe damage drop-off past 40 meters, making it recommended for close and medium-distance engagements.
4 Martini-Henry Infantry
A Reliable One-Hit Kill
- One Hit Kill until 80 meters
The Martini-Henry Infantry variant is unlocked at Level 10 with the Scout class for 200 Warbands. It is a potent single-action rifle that can completely deplete an opponent's health bar up to an impressive distance of 80 meters, even with body shots.
However, it comes with the trade-off of a single-bullet capacity, requiring a 2.3-second-long reload after each shot. While this may be frustrating for some players, those with nerves of steel and patience will find the damage potential worth it. The Sniper variant of the Martini-Henry is also a great option, providing a bipod attachment and a larger magnification scope, but the Infantry variant suffices for most situations.
3 SMLE MKIII Marksman
Best for Larger Magazine Size
- Large Magazine Size of 10 rounds
The SMLE MKIII Marksman is available right from the start in Battlefield 1, making it a great starting sniper rifle for players to hone their skills. Despite having no unlock requirements, the SMLE MKIII is extremely reliable and stable, thanks to the default palm rest and attached bayonet for close encounters.
With a magazine size of 10 rounds, players have more room for error compared to other weapons in this class. While it may not outshine other scout weapons, it provides decent performance across all metrics, including bullet velocity (740 m/s) and a sweet spot range of 40-75 meters. Ultimately, the SMLE MKIII Marksman is a reliable starting weapon with fewer risks and high rewards thanks to its magazine size.
2 M1903 Sniper
Unmatched Precision and Sweet Spot
- Low Drag Coefficient of 0.002
- Sweet Spot between 100-150 meters
The M1903 bolt-action sniper can be unlocked at Level 3 of the Scout Class for 200 Warbands. It excels in long-range combat due to its extremely low drag coefficient (0.002) and a generous sweet spot between 100–150 meters, allowing for one-hit kills on body shots in that range. The Sniper variant adds stability, with a high-powered scope and bipod attachment.
With decent bullet velocity (820 m/s) and little damage drop-off, the M1903 Sniper ensures consistent damage numbers. Its only drawback is the various reload animations that may take some getting used to, ranging from 0.5 to 3.7 seconds.
1 Gewehr 98 Sniper
Unrivaled Bullet Velocity
- High Bullet Velocity of 880m/s
- Wide Sweet Spot of 80-125 meters
The Gewehr 98 Sniper is unlocked at Level 3 of the Scout class for 200 Warbands and is considered the best sniper rifle in the game due to its highest in-class muzzle velocity of 880 m/s, making it ideal for long-distance encounters. Its high bullet velocity allows for reliable use on fast-moving targets, with minimal trajectory drop, even at long distances.
The sniper variation excels in kills up to 300 meters, while its wide sweet spot distance (80 - 125 meters) for eliminating enemies with a single body shot is impressive, solidifying the Gewehr 98 Sniper as the ultimate choice for long-range sniping.