The Strider 300 is the #1 rated sniper rifle in Warzone Season 3, dethroning the Hawker HX within days of its release on April 6, 2026. Chambered in .300 Norma Magnum, it one-shots unarmoured enemies to the chest at all ranges and brings the fastest handling in the bolt-action class — making it the dominant sniper choice across all squad sizes.
Why It's S-Tier Right Now
The Strider 300 sits above the Hawker HX and VS Recon for three reasons:
- Faster handling — quicker ADS and sprint-to-fire make it more forgiving in mobile engagements
- One-shot down on unarmoured targets — a chest-up hit ends the fight immediately
- Better strafe stability — tighter idle sway means less correction needed between target acquisitions
No nerfs have been applied since launch. Its current performance is baseline and already dominant.
Warzone Sniper Tier List (Season 3)
| Rank | Weapon | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strider 300 | S |
| 2 | Hawker HX | A |
| 3 | VS Recon | A |
| 4 | XR-3 Ion | B |
| 5 | Shadow SK | B |
Weapon Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| RPM | 42 |
| ADS Time | 620 ms |
| Sprint-to-Fire | 420 ms |
| Reload Time | 4.1 s |
| Movement Speed | 4.69 m/s |
| Magazine Size | 5 rounds |
| Ammo Pool | Sniper Ammo |
Damage Profile (Warzone)
| Range | Head | Chest | Limbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 45 m | 250 | 175 | 131 |
| 45 – 80 m | 250 | 175 | 131 |
| 80+ m | 250 | 162 | 121 |
One-shot headshot at all ranges. Chest shots on fully plated enemies deal ~175 damage — not a one-plate, but close enough that any chip damage seals the down.
How to Unlock
Unlock the Strider 300 via the Lost Outpost event in Black Ops 7 (free, April 7–23, 2026). Earn Beacons by eliminating enemies in any mode including Warzone, then spend them on 20-Beacon Care Packages. Alternatively, the Ghillie Drift bundle (2,400 CoD Points) provides instant access via the Ghost Maker blueprint.
Best Build
The Support build prioritises bullet velocity and suppressed fire — exactly what a long-range sniper needs in Warzone. Key attachments: Monolithic Suppressor (sound concealment + bullet velocity), 25" Bowen Grooved Barrel (bullet velocity + range), and Hatch Quick Grip (ADS speed). The .300 WM Overpressured ammo amplifies bullet velocity further, reducing the lead you need to account for on moving targets.
Pairing Suggestions
The Strider 300's slow rechamber means you'll want a secondary that covers mid-range. The best pairings right now:
- Rivals-9 or AMR9 — fast TTK for close pushes
- Coda 9 — aggressive SMG with top ADS speed
- MCW — if you prefer a consistent AR with low recoil
Verdict
If you're building a sniper loadout for Warzone Season 3, the Strider 300 is the clear pick. No other bolt-action matches its combination of one-shot capability, handling speed, and stability. Unlock it through the free Lost Outpost event and build around bullet velocity — you'll feel the difference at range immediately.