Sniper rifle



The DKS-501 Sniper Rifle is an excellent long range projectile weapon. Originally .308, versions chambered in other calibers are also common.

Fallout and Fallout 2
Originally .308, this one is chambered in the more common .223 caliber. Allows to do insane damage to the critical body areas, if player has correct stats. This rifle does not share the same reduction in accuracy when enemies close in as the Scoped Hunting Rifle.

Fallout Tactics
Originally .308, this one is chambered in the more common 7.62mm caliber.

Fallout 3
The rifle is an older model of the famed DKS-501. Still chambered for .308 ammunition, it's also extremely fragile and requires regular repair and maintenance to keep it in working condition.

The Sniper Rifle is much more powerful when fired outside V.A.T.S. mode, as V.A.T.S. does not take into account accuracy bonuses of the weapon's scope.

Outside V.A.T.S., it's effective range seems to be about 1/4 - 1/3 the distance you can see in the scope. Using a human target as reference, you may need to wait until your target fills at least 3/4 of the diameter of the smaller dashed circle in the scope to hit it.

The sniper rifle has very noticeable sway to it when manually aimed. The sway can be reduced with either a higher skill level in small guns, or when in sneak mode.

Both images below, taken from the southwest guard platform at Fort Bannister will be a 1-shot kills. The color of the first shot has been inverted to improve clarity.

Locations

 * The Hollowed-Out Rock south of Megaton is easy to reach very early in the game.
 * Shooting range of the National Guard Depot in one of the lanes
 * Accepting the quest You Gotta Shoot 'Em in the Head from Mister Crowley in the Underworld, he will give you a Sniper Rifle.
 * One of the Slavers or Raiders on top of the overpass near Springvale usually carries one
 * Arkansas, found in the town of Minefield, has a sniper rifle
 * A sniper rifle can also be found in Tenpenny Tower if you kill Allistair Tenpenny
 * The southeast guard platform of Fort Bannister.
 * There is a sniper rifle on the second floor of a ruined house near Hubris Comics along with some ammo and a skill book.
 * Several Raiders in Bethesda have sniper rifles
 * In Georgetown, on the top story of a building across the road from a Missile Launcher wielding Super Mutant
 * In the elevated shack to the south of Warrington Trainyard, along with some .308 ammo.
 * In mama dolce's there is one or two sniper rifles on chinese remnant soldiers.
 * Wheaton Armory has two sniper rifles in the missile silo behind a Very Hard Door.
 * Seward Square North Metro - Talon Sniper on connecting bridge between office block and metro station building. Check local map for Office building entrance.
 * L'Enfant Plaza in a makeshift camp under a partially collaped overpass east of the plaza.
 * There are also many Raider corpses with a few .308 rounds and sniper rifles in the various corners of the Deathclaw Sanctuary.

Appearances
The Sniper Rifle is a weapon appearing, in various forms, in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3 and Fallout Tactics.