Yes, but try placing 10 headshots on a raging fleshpound who just so happens to be blocked by 3 incoming gorefasts. A nearby siren whom your team likely is running from is shaking your screen so badly that you can't even see your laser or ironsight.
Oh, and add the fact that all of your armor is shredded and a single hit from the raging Fleshpound -will- insta-kill you (even at 100hp).
You only get 20 shots per M14 clip and there is no bullet penetration like with the Deagle or Xbow.
No matter how good of a shot you are, the hitboxes from other specimens in front can and likely make the shots miss when they count the most.
Again, its all in playstyle, but I would -much- rather have that guarantee that my shots will cut through everything necessary in order to reach my target.