The Complete Guide to Different Types of Rifles

Rifle shooters are usually very nitpicky and opinionated when analyzing their weapon of choice. This makes complete sense though, since different types offer various advantages and are designed for specific purposes.

Sure, they all send a small projectile flying out the end of a metal tube, but it’s what happens between the trigger pull and hitting your target that makes one type of rifle better than another. The overall design has changed dramatically over the years, but certain types of rifles have stood the test of time and remain popular among hunters, sport shooters, and enthusiasts.

How Many Rifles Are There?

The categorisation is based on how a cartridge is loaded into the rifle’s chamber and how it’s removed right after firing. Once you understand the mechanism, it will be easier for you to choose which one suits your shooting style.

Lever Action

Catapulting to fame in the 19th century, the well-designed and responsive lever action rifle has a dedicated following to this day. The mechanism involves the use of a lever located on the underside of the gun, just behind the trigger guard. When you pull it down – usually with your trigger finger – it reveals an opening behind the chamber that allows you to insert another cartridge.

Back in the day, lever action rifles were used by cowboys and outlaws alike due to their rapid-fire capabilities. Their reliable and simple design allowed for quick reloading, making them a popular choice for hunting and self-defence. Today, they’re still popular for their ease of use and fast operation, which is why they’re commonly used for sports shooting and hunting small to medium-sized game.

The present-day lever action rifle is a repeater that holds 5 to 15 cartridges in a tubular magazine, making it possible to fire multiple shots without reloading. They’re typically lightweight and compact, making them suitable for carrying on long hunting trips or using in tight shooting situations.

Older designs can’t maintain the same pressure as modern ones, so they’re not suitable for firing high-powered cartridges. They’re more commonly chambered in low to medium-powered cartridges for smaller game.

In terms of the case ejection process, lever action rifles usually eject spent cases from the top of the chamber. This means they’re not suitable for mounting scopes directly on top of the gun, as it would interfere with the ejection process.

However, with modern advancements in technology and design, some lever action rifles now come equipped with side-eject mechanisms that allow for easier scope mounting and improved accuracy. This has made them a more versatile option for both hunting and competitive shooting.

Furthermore, they have smooth and swift cycling, making them a popular choice for cowboy action shooting. This type of competitive shooting involves using firearms and attire reminiscent of the Wild West, adding an element of fun and nostalgia to the sport.

Bolt Action

This type of firearm has a manually operated bolt mechanism that is used to load and eject cartridges from the chamber. It’s known for its accuracy and long-range capabilities, making it a favourite among hunters and competitive shooters.

Bolt action rifles are commonly found in higher-powered calibres, making them suitable for hunting large game at longer distances. They also can hold more ammunition than lever action rifles, typically holding 3 to 5 rounds in a detachable box magazine or internal magazine.

One of the key advantages of bolt action rifles is their ability to be customized and modified for specific purposes. From barrel length and stock design to trigger modifications and scope mounting options, there are endless possibilities for fine-tuning a bolt action rifle to meet the shooter’s needs.

Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic rifles, also known as self-loading or autoloading rifles, are a popular choice for recreational shooting and hunting. Unlike bolt action and lever action rifles, they use the energy from each fired cartridge to automatically cycle the next round into the chamber.

This allows for rapid-fire capabilities without manually having to operate a bolt or lever between shots. However, due to their reliance on gas or recoil-operated systems, semi-automatic rifles can be more sensitive to environmental conditions and require proper maintenance to ensure reliable functioning.

They’re commonly used in military and law enforcement applications due to their quick reloading capabilities. They also come with various magazine capacities ranging from 5 rounds up to 30 rounds, making them a versatile choice for different shooting scenarios.

Pump Action

With a pump action rifle, the shooter manually cycles the next round into the chamber by pumping the forearm or slide. This type of rifle is commonly used in hunting and competitive shooting for its reliability and fast follow-up shots.

One of the main advantages of pump action rifles is their ability to handle a wide range of ammunition, from low-powered birdshot for small game hunting to high-powered cartridges for big game hunting. They also have a relatively simple design, making them easy to maintain and repair.

Breech-Loading

This category has a more traditional style of rifle, with the action located at the rear of the barrel. Breech-loading rifles require manual loading and unloading of cartridges through the breech or rear end of the barrel.

They’re known for their precision and accuracy, making them a top choice for long-range shooting and hunting. However, they have a slower rate of fire compared to other types of rifles mentioned above.