Battle rifle

A battle rifle or main battle rifle is a military longarm firing a full sized rifle cartridge. It may be manually operated, self loading (semi-automatic) or capable of selective fire. It is designed to effectively engage targets at ranges in excess of 500 meters with individually aimed fire.

Related Topics:
Cartridge - Semi-automatic - Selective fire

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These rifles can be classifiend in three "phases" (this classification possibly originates from Jeff Cooper): a Phase 1 rifle is a military bolt action, such as the Mauser or Lee Enfield rifles; a Phase 2 rifle would be a semi-automatic military rifle, like the Garand or SVT-40; and finally the Phase 3 rifle, a select fire rifle in a full sized rifle cartridge, almost always 7.62x51mm, like the FN FAL from 1951 or the Heckler & Koch G3 from 1958. In practice use of the fully automatic mode of fire was discouraged or disabled in most militaries, due to excessive recoil. The battle rifle has been replaced in common use by the shorter ranged assault rifle firing cartridges of less power.

Related Topics:
Jeff Cooper - Mauser - Lee Enfield - Garand - SVT-40 - 7.62x51mm - FN FAL - 1951 - Heckler & Koch G3 - 1958 - Assault rifle

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Examples of cartridges used in battle rifles are the .303 British, 8x57mm 7.62x54mm and 7.62x51mm.

Related Topics:
.303 British - 8x57mm - 7.62x54mm - 7.62x51mm

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