The Real Talk: Look, the M24 wins on paper – 790 m/s bullet velocity beats the Kar98k's 760 m/s, plus it's got that sweet magazine reload system and 79 base damage. But here's the thing: you'll find a Kar98k way more often, making it perfect for actually learning how to snipe. Both can dome someone through a Level 2 helmet, but Level 3? Forget about it.
Let's Cut Through the Numbers Game
What Actually Matters in a Fight
The M24 hits for 79 damage every single time, while the Kar98k bounces between 74-79 (honestly, who designed that inconsistency?). In practice, this means the M24 can drop an unarmored player with one chest shot – 101 damage, lights out. The Kar98k? You're looking at 96 damage, so you better have that secondary ready.
That 30 m/s bullet speed difference might sound tiny, but trust me – when you're trying to lead a guy sprinting across an open field at 300 meters, every millisecond counts. Less guesswork, more hits.
Here's where it gets interesting though. The M24 takes magazines. Revolutionary concept, right? 4.1 seconds for a full reload versus the Kar98k's painful bullet-by-bullet loading system. Two seconds for one round, nearly five seconds if you're completely empty. Bullet Loops help, but barely.
The Availability Problem (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
This is where reality hits hard. You'll stumble across a Kar98k in maybe 6 or 7 out of every 10 decent loot spots. The M24? Maybe 2 out of 10 if you're lucky.
I've watched countless beginners obsess over finding an M24, then panic when they finally get one because they've never actually practiced with a bolt-action. Meanwhile, the player who's been grinding with Kar98ks all week is landing headshots left and right.
Damage Deep Dive: When Numbers Meet Reality
Headshots – The Make or Break Moment
Unarmored headshot with an M24? 202 damage. Kar98k? 192. That 10-point gap becomes crucial when you're third-partying someone who's already taken a bit of damage from another fight.
Both rifles will absolutely ruin someone's day through a Level 2 helmet. One shot, back to lobby. But Level 3 helmets? That's where both weapons humble you real quick. You're looking at two headshots minimum, or one headshot plus a body follow-up.
Body Shots – Where the M24 Really Shines
Here's something most guides won't tell you: that 101 chest damage from the M24 creates opportunities the Kar98k simply can't match. Fresh spawn running across a field? One shot elimination. The Kar98k leaves them crawling, giving their squad time to react.
Against armor, the differences get more pronounced. Level 1 vest still lets the M24 potentially one-shot, while Kar98k users are switching to their AR. Level 3 vest scenarios? The Kar98k needs three clean body shots minimum. The M24 can sometimes manage it in two, definitely in three.
The Level 3 Helmet Reality Check
Neither weapon is punching through a Level 3 helmet for that satisfying one-tap. Period. This is where a lot of newer players get frustrated – they see streamers hitting these shots and assume the weapon's broken when they can't replicate it.
Finding Your Weapon: Spawn Rates and Strategy
Kar98k – The People's Sniper
You'll find Kar98ks everywhere. School on Erangel? Probably two or three lying around. Hacienda on Miramar? Almost guaranteed. Even smaller compounds often have one tucked away in a corner.
This accessibility is actually its biggest strength for learning. You can't master sniping if you never get to practice, and the Kar98k ensures you'll have plenty of opportunities.
M24 – Still Playing Hard to Get
Despite moving from airdrops to world spawns, M24s remain frustratingly rare. Military Base, Pecado Casino, Bootcamp – these high-risk zones are your best bet. The weapon's former airdrop status means many players still don't expect to find them on the ground, which can work in your favor.
Early Game Priorities (My Take)
Beginners should grab every Kar98k they see. Seriously. The muscle memory you build with consistent practice trumps the marginal stat advantages of hunting for an M24. Intermediate players can start being pickier, especially if their drop strategy already takes them through M24 hotspots.
The Learning Curve: Which Weapon Teaches You Better?
Starting with the Kar98k
The Kar98k is honestly a better teacher. That slow reload forces you to make every shot count – no spray-and-pray mentality here. You learn patience, positioning, and shot selection because the weapon punishes mistakes.
My recommended progression: spend your first week in Training Grounds, focusing on 100-200 meter shots. Week two, jump into Arcade modes for moving targets. Week three, start integrating it into your Classic matches. Don't rush this process.
Graduating to the M24
The M24 demands more from you because it's rarer and more capable. That magazine system can make you overconfident – suddenly you can take multiple shots in quick succession. But with great power comes great responsibility (and bigger target on your back when you miss).
The higher bullet velocity also messes with your muscle memory initially. You'll overcorrect for bullet drop and lead targets too much. It's a good problem to have, but still requires adjustment time.
The Three-Phase Approach
Phase 1: Master the Kar98k fundamentals. Hit 60% of your shots at 150 meters consistently. Get comfortable with different scopes. Learn the maps.
Phase 2: Start mixing in M24 experience when you find them. Compare your performance directly. Notice the differences in feel and timing.
Phase 3: Choose situationally. Hot lobby with aggressive players? Maybe stick with the reliable Kar98k. Slower, more tactical match? Hunt for that M24.
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Attachments: Making Your Rifle Sing
Scope Selection (Where Most People Mess Up)
Both weapons handle scopes identically up to 8x, but the M24's bullet velocity makes higher magnifications more forgiving. Here's my breakdown:
2x-3x for urban combat and close-range flexibility. 4x for that sweet spot of range and awareness. 6x is what most pros prefer – good range without tunnel vision. 8x only if you really know what you're doing and the map supports it.
The Attachment Advantage
This is where the M24 pulls ahead significantly. While the Kar98k is stuck with just Bullet Loops (which barely help), the M24 can take a full suite of attachments. Extended Quickdraw Magazine bumps you to 7 rounds and cuts reload time dramatically. Cheek Pad reduces weapon sway noticeably.
Suppressors work identically on both – eliminating muzzle flash and reducing audio signature. In squads, a suppressed sniper can be absolutely devastating because enemies can't immediately locate the shooter.
Map-Specific Considerations
Erangel – The Balanced Battlefield
Erangel treats both weapons fairly. Military Base spawns favor finding a Kar98k quickly, while the varied terrain gives both weapons plenty of opportunities to shine. Those School-to-Apartments corridors? Perfect for either rifle.
Sanhok – Where Reload Speed Matters
Sanhok's dense vegetation and frequent third-parties favor the M24's magazine system. When you're getting pushed from multiple angles, that quick reload can save your life. The shorter engagement distances also minimize the bullet velocity differences.
Miramar – Long-Range Paradise
This is where the M24's 30 m/s advantage really shows up. Those 400+ meter shots across the desert become noticeably easier with less bullet drop compensation needed. If you're planning to play Miramar seriously, hunt for that M24.
Training That Actually Works
Training Grounds Reality Check
Spend 15-20 minutes daily on fundamentals. 50 shots each at 100, 200, and 300 meters on stationary targets. Then 25 shots on moving targets at different speeds. The distance markers are accurate to real matches, so use them.
Don't just shoot randomly – track your hit percentage and work on consistency before trying to extend your range.
Arcade Mode Integration
War Mode is underrated for sniper practice. You get frequent bolt-action encounters without the pressure of losing rank. Team Deathmatch teaches quick-scoping and target acquisition under pressure.
The Monthly Progression Plan
Month one: achieve 50% hits at 200 meters, learn basic bullet drop, get comfortable with different scopes. Month two: push to 70% at 200 meters and 50% at 300 meters, start using snipers in ranked matches. Month three: master moving targets and develop map-specific strategies.
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Common Mistakes (That I See Constantly)
The Overconfidence Trap
New snipers attempt shots way beyond their skill level, then wonder why they're getting rushed and eliminated. Establish your maximum effective range and stick to it until you improve. Pride doesn't win matches.
Scope Tunnel Vision
Wrong scope selection kills more snipers than bad aim. Urban areas need 4x maximum. Mixed terrain works best with 6x. Only use 8x on maps like Miramar where you can actually utilize the range.
Positioning Disasters
High ground isn't just about looking cool – it provides better sight lines and escape options. Always have multiple cover options and an exit strategy. The zone and third-parties don't care how good your aim is.
What the Pros Actually Do
Tournament Meta Reality
When money's on the line, pros choose M24s 90% of the time when available. Tournament stats show M24 users achieving 73% higher elimination rates and maintaining their rifles 34% longer into late game.
The reliability factor becomes crucial under pressure. That magazine system and higher bullet velocity provide forgiveness when every shot matters.
Current Meta Trends
The game's gotten faster. Zone speeds increased, vehicle meta is strong, and third-partying is constant. Snipers serve specialized roles now rather than being primary weapons. You need to be mobile and adaptable.
The Final Verdict: What Should You Actually Pick Up?
For Beginners: Kar98k All Day
Master the fundamentals with consistent practice opportunities. The Kar98k's availability ensures you'll actually get to use what you're learning. Expect 4-6 weeks of dedicated practice before you're consistently effective.
For Intermediate Players: Start Being Selective
Once you're hitting 60%+ at 200+ meters with the Kar98k, start prioritizing M24s when your strategy supports it. You've earned the right to be picky.
For Advanced Players: Situational Mastery
Master both weapons and choose based on lobby assessment, team composition, and map strategy. At this level, you should be optimizing every decision.
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Quick FAQ (The Real Answers)
Which hits harder? M24 wins consistently – 79 vs 74-79 damage, plus better headshot damage at 202 vs 192.
Should beginners learn M24 first? Nope. Kar98k spawns way more often (60-70% vs 15-20%), giving you actual practice time.
What's the bullet speed difference? M24's 790 m/s vs Kar98k's 760 m/s. Doesn't sound like much, but it adds up at long range.
Can either one-shot Level 3 helmets? Neither can. Both need two headshots or headshot plus body shot.
Which spawns more? Kar98k by a landslide. You'll find them everywhere; M24s are still pretty rare.
What do pros prefer? M24 when available (90% pickup rate in tournaments), but they practice with both extensively.
The bottom line? Start with the Kar98k, master the fundamentals, then graduate to the M24 when you find them. Both weapons can be devastating in the right hands – the key is actually getting those hands trained properly.