If you have ever been crouched behind a rock on Erangel with two bolt-actions on the ground and only one backpack slot free, the m24 vs kar98 pubg debate stops being theoretical. Both rifles chamber 7.62mm, both one-shot a Level 2 helmet, and both are staples of competitive PUBG PC play. We will break down which one actually deserves the slot in your loadout.
Quick Answer: Which Is Better?
For most PC players, the Kar98k is the better pickup because it spawns as world loot across every map and feeds you ammo and scopes constantly. The M24 hits slightly harder on paper and has a flatter trajectory, but it is rarer outside Care Packages and specific loot tables, so you cannot build a game plan around finding one.
Short version: grab the Kar98k when you see it, upgrade to an M24 if you find it, and swap to an AWM if a Care Package lands nearby.
Bolt-Action Snipers at a Glance
Here is the head-to-head on the two rifles, using the stats that actually matter in a firefight.
| Stat | Kar98k | M24 |
|---|---|---|
| Ammo | 7.62mm | 7.62mm |
| Base body damage | 75 | 79 |
| Headshot damage (no helmet) | 221 | 231 |
| Muzzle velocity | ~760 m/s | ~790 m/s |
| Magazine capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Reload style | Single rounds | Stripper clip / magazine |
| Attachment slots | Muzzle, Scope, Stock (Cheek Pad) | Muzzle, Scope, Stock (Cheek Pad), Magazine |
| Spawn source | World loot (all maps) | World loot (select maps) + Care Package |
Key takeaway: The M24 wins every stat line, but the margins are small, and availability tips the balance back toward the Kar98k.
Damage and One-Shot Potential
Both rifles will one-shot a player wearing a Level 1 or Level 2 helmet with a headshot. Neither will one-shot a Level 3 helmet, which is where the AWM takes over as the only bolt-action that can.
Body shots are where you feel the small difference. The M24’s extra damage per shot does not change the number of shots required to down a Level 3 vest wearer (still two), but it leaves a tighter margin for the follow-up, which matters when you are trading at range with another sniper.
If you want to deep-dive the full sandbox, our pubg best weapons and attachments guide breaks down the full tier list by category.
Bullet Velocity and Lead at Range
Bullet velocity is the real reason the M24 feels nicer to shoot. At roughly 790 m/s versus the Kar98k’s 760 m/s, the M24 needs slightly less lead on a moving target at 300m+.
- 100-200m: Negligible difference. Point and click.
- 300m: The M24 saves you about half a body width of lead on a sprinting target.
- 500m+: The gap grows, and the M24 is noticeably more forgiving on moving shots.
For sitting targets, both guns play identically. The velocity gap only shows up when the enemy is already running.
Reload Speed and Sustained Fire
This is where the M24 pulls ahead in a way players feel every match.
- Kar98k: Loads single rounds unless you have the stripper clip, which is a late addition and still slower than a magazine swap.
- M24: Reloads via a detachable magazine, which is faster and smoother in the middle of a long-range exchange.
If you are trading shots with another sniper and both of you empty your mags, the M24 shooter is back in the fight first. In squad play, that half-second window often decides who gets the knock.
Attachments That Actually Matter
Both rifles share most slots, but the differences in how they use them are small.
Muzzle: A Suppressor is the gold standard. It hides your position, which is more valuable than the small velocity bump from a Compensator. Both guns accept Sniper Rifle suppressors.
Scope: A 6x or 8x is ideal. The 8x shines on open maps like Miramar and Taego; the 6x is more flexible on Sanhok and Rondo where engagements compress.
Stock: The Cheek Pad reduces scope sway and speeds up ADS recovery. Non-negotiable on both rifles for competitive play.
Magazine (M24 only): An Extended or Quickdraw Mag cuts reload time further. The Kar98k has no equivalent slot.
Loot Availability by Map
This is the single biggest factor in the m24 vs kar98 pubg comparison. A better gun you never find is worse than a decent gun you can always loot.
| Map | Kar98k | M24 |
|---|---|---|
| Erangel | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
| Miramar | Common world loot | Care Package primarily |
| Sanhok | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
| Vikendi | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
| Taego | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
| Deston | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
| Rondo | Common world loot | Rare world loot + Care Package |
The Kar98k shows up reliably on every map. The M24 is available as world loot on most maps now, but at a much lower spawn rate, which means you plan around the Kar98k and treat the M24 as a lucky upgrade.
Which One for Which Playstyle?
Pick the Kar98k if you:
- Hot drop and need a sniper fast off the floor
- Run a mobile squad that rotates every circle
- Play Sanhok or Rondo where ranges are shorter
- Prefer a dedicated DMR as your secondary and want the sniper for pure headshots
Pick the M24 if you:
- Hold angles for longer and need faster follow-up shots
- Play big open maps like Miramar and Taego
- Already have scopes and attachments stacked
- Expect long-range sniper duels in late circles
Competitive and PGC Context
In PGC-level play, the Kar98k is the standard pickup because teams cannot gamble a strategy on an M24 spawn. Pros use the Kar98k for its reliability and only swap to an M24 or AWM when it lands in their lap, usually from a Care Package drop they contested or farmed.
The M24 is not a Care Package exclusive anymore, which has quietly made it more relevant in ranked and competitive formats, but the Kar98k remains the default because every player on every squad can expect to find one in the first two circles.
If you want more squad-level advice, our pubg tips and tricks guide covers rotation and positioning habits that make either sniper hit harder.
Common Mistakes with Both Rifles
Shooting through the wrong cover. 7.62mm penetrates thin wood and some sheet metal but not the brick walls common in Pochinki or Los Leones. Know what stops your bullet.
Ignoring bullet drop. At 400m with an 8x, you are aiming above the target’s head on both rifles. Practice in the training range before you take the shot in a real match.
Hoarding ammo. 7.62mm feeds the Kar98k, M24, AWM, SKS, SLR, Mk14, AKM, Beryl M762, and DP-28. A full stack is 60 rounds. Dropping 30 rounds for a teammate is almost always correct.
Running a 2x on a bolt-action. You bought a sniper; use it like one. Minimum 4x, ideally 6x or 8x for either rifle.
For more foundational habits, the pubg beginner guide covers the full basics new players usually miss.
The Bottom Line
The Kar98k is the sniper you plan around; the M24 is the sniper you celebrate finding. The M24’s higher velocity and faster reload make it the mechanically better rifle, but the Kar98k’s reliable spawn rate means it wins every game you did not plan for.
If both are on the ground in front of you with the same attachments, take the M24. If you have to choose between a Kar98k with a 6x and a bare M24, take the Kar98k. Scopes and stocks matter more than the small stat gap between the two rifles.
The real skill ceiling is not which rifle you carry; it is landing the first shot before the other squad lands theirs. Spend an hour in the training range with the Kar98k, learn the bullet drop at 200, 300, 400, and 500 meters, and you will out-trade players carrying the “better” gun every lobby.