i have personnally used both a WELL stock sniper and a slightly upgraded AGM, and i have shot a Tanaka spring rifle, a tanaka gas rifle, and 2 echo 1 rifles. i have to say that the echo1 rifles were a little better than the others, but other than that, there was no major difference at all. if you are dead set on getting a l96, go for it, but i would recomend the Echo 1 ASR with the upgrade kit. it comes with 3 mags and bipod i believe.
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=6572 $115
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=6624 $30
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=7465 $45
thats all you need for a really good sniper rifle, though the stock asr is beastly.