Which is better a sniper rifle or an assault rifle?

Answer 1

Neither: They both serve their own purpose. You would not use either one to do the others purpose.

A sniper rifle is used to engage long range targets at a very low rate of fire, Commonly used to eliminate very specific targets with a very small window of oppurtunity that a rifleman can not take advantage of due to distance and the fact that a HVI (high value individual) is usually aware of ground forces in the area, giving the HVI time to escape. On the other hand a snipers main goal is to remain undetected, making the job possible.

An assault rifle is used to engage targets at a close, to medium range with a 'get your head down' rate of fire, as well as to give suppressive fire for support (though a light-machine gun is used for this).

What the assault rifle can do that a sniper rifle cannot quickly clear rooms, sweep the rooftops quickly, or lay down fast suppressive fire in a split second when needed.

BUT..

Usually a man with a sniper usually has a light weight assault rifle

on his back for a need of fire fights.

Or at least has a small team that has a large amount of fire power to

improve the Sniper teams survivability.