How a bolt action rifle works has noting to do with whether a sniper is using it. Common military sniper rifles are based off of hunting and target shooting rifles, one of the most common being the Remington 700. Here is a video animation of how MOST bolt action rifles work.
pulling the bolt on a real steal rifle is not like a spring airsoft gun. the bolt slides back with little resistance like a gas airsoft gun. spring airsoft guns used the pull back spring to project the bb. gas uses gas from the magazine. bullets use gunpowder set of by a pin. NO REAL GUNS DONT NEED A SPING TO SHOOT OUT THE BULLET. there are many parts to a gun though besides the bolt and the bullet but yes it is more like a gas airsoft gun
i have used 100's of sniper rifles but have never used an airsoft rifle so cant give a comparison
