Rifle | History, Types & Uses

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</div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content " data-topic-id="503347"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle">rifle</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <span class="toc-extra-link selected link-gray-900 mt-15"> Introduction </span> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/rifle">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-050-4C36D66A/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/150078" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-004-3A5F56B9/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg" alt="bolt-action rifle" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-050-4062EEC2/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/193520" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-004-995A1590/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg" alt="rifle" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-050-A3ECBCFE/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/151940" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-004-E80F0AA2/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg" alt="M16 assault rifle" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/4981-050-0F4E79D4/Enfield-Pattern-British-percussion-ignition-muzzle-loader-bolt-action-Minie-1898.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/111773" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/4981-004-3B6EC3B5/Enfield-Pattern-British-percussion-ignition-muzzle-loader-bolt-action-Minie-1898.jpg" alt="British Enfield Pattern 1851 (top), a percussion-ignition, Mini茅-type muzzle-loader, and German 1898 Mauser (bottom), a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeater." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/130772-004-86E95A72/rifle-cartridges-left-x45NATO-Winchester.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/127350" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/130772-004-86E95A72/rifle-cartridges-left-x45NATO-Winchester.jpg" alt="Cartridge" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/132697-004-E5BDCFCA/exhibit-Texas-School-Book-Depository-investigation-Warren.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/129260" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/132697-004-E5BDCFCA/exhibit-Texas-School-Book-Depository-investigation-Warren.jpg" alt="Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 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<div class="reading-channel"> <div class="desktop-header-image module-spacing"> <figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-20 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="13684" data-asm-type="image"> <div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"> <a style="min-height: 160px;" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-050-4C36D66A/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/503347/150078"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-050-4C36D66A/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg?w=300"> <img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-050-4C36D66A/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop" alt="bolt-action rifle" loading="eager" /> </picture> <button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </a> </div> <figcaption class="card-body"> <div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"> <span> <a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/145608-050-4C36D66A/scope-bolt-action-rifle.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/150078">bolt-action rifle</a> <span><span>A 6.5-mm bolt-action rifle with scope.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>rifle</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">weapon</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Richard C. Rattenbury" data-title="rifle" data-published-date="5 Sep. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=503347] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="rifle" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle">https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=503347] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/503347"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? 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Rattenbury</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Richard C. Rattenbury has served as curator of history at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum since 1987, and formerly held curatorial positions with the Winchester Museum at the Buffalo...</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Richard C. 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/rifle/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/William-Greener" topicid="245200">William Greener</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Simeon-North" topicid="418522">Simeon North</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Henri-Gustave-Delvigne" topicid="156901">Henri-Gustave Delvigne</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Patrick-Ferguson" topicid="204633">Patrick Ferguson</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Ferdinand-Ritter-von-Mannlicher" topicid="362622">Ferdinand, knight von Mannlicher</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/technology/assault-rifle" topicid="39165">assault rifle</a></dd> <dd><a href="/technology/AK-47" topicid="11305">AK-47</a></dd> <dd><a href="/technology/repeating-rifle" topicid="498312">repeating rifle</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/AK-15" topicid="2179446">AK-15</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/AK-12" topicid="2179444">AK-12</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/rifle"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref8632"></span>rifle</strong>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/small-arm" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">firearm</a> with a rifled <span id="ref1246600"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/bore-firearms" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bore</a>鈥攊.e., having shallow spiral grooves cut inside the <span id="ref8633"></span>barrel to <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="impart" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/impart" data-type="EB">impart</a> a spin to the projectile, thus stabilizing it in flight. A rifled barrel imparts much greater accuracy to a projectile, as compared with a smoothbore barrel. The name <em>rifle</em>, most often applied to a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/weapon" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">weapon</a> fired from the shoulder, may also denote a crew-served weapon such as a rifled <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/cannon-weapon" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">cannon</a> or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/recoilless-rifle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">recoilless rifle</a>. Although <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/artillery" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">field guns</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/pistol-weapon" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">pistols</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/machine-gun" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">machine guns</a> have rifled barrels, they are not normally referred to as <em>rifles</em>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Rifled firearms date back to at least the 15th century. As some of the earliest had straight rather than spiral grooves, it is thought that the initial purpose may have been to receive the powder residue, or fouling, that was a problem with early firearms. Gun makers soon discovered, however, that spiral grooves made bullets spin and that spinning improved their range and accuracy. The effect increased when spherical balls were <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="superseded" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/superseded" data-type="EB">superseded</a> by somewhat-elongated projectiles.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="193520" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-050-4062EEC2/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/503347/193520"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-050-4062EEC2/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-050-4062EEC2/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg?w=300" alt="rifle" data-width="1600" data-height="1068" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/63334-050-4062EEC2/Examples-breech-loading-rifles.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/193520">rifle</a><span>Examples of breech-loading rifles.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="151940" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-050-A3ECBCFE/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/503347/151940"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-050-A3ECBCFE/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-050-A3ECBCFE/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg?w=300" alt="M16 assault rifle" data-width="1600" data-height="850" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/107582-050-A3ECBCFE/components-rifle-assault-M16.jpg" data-href="/media/1/503347/151940">M16 assault rifle</a><span>Functional components of an automatic rifle, as illustrated by the M16 assault rifle.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In early <span id="ref1246601"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/muzzle-loading" class="md-crosslink ">muzzle-loading</a> rifles, ramming the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/bullet" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">bullet</a> down the bore was difficult, as the bullet had to fit the rifling tightly. Such rifles could not be loaded as rapidly as smoothbore muskets. That problem was solved first by the use of greased patches around the projectile. It was later鈥攁nd far better鈥攁ddressed by the <span id="ref8634"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Minie-ball" class="md-crosslink ">Mini茅 ball</a>, a projectile with a conical head and a hollow base that expanded slightly from the force of the propellant charge, thereby fitting tightly into the grooves of the rifling. Somewhat later the invention of metallic cartridges (joining explosive primer, propellant charge, and projectile in a self-contained unit) permitted the development of gastight <span id="ref8635"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/breech-loading" class="md-crosslink ">breech-loading</a> mechanisms. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/technology" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">technology</a> was first applied in the 19th century in single-shot, revolving-cylinder, and lever-action repeating arms. Many breech-loading rifles that achieved <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="widespread" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/widespread" data-type="EB">widespread</a> use in the early 20th century鈥攕uch as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Springfield-rifle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Springfield</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Lee-Enfield-rifle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Enfield</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Mauser-rifle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mauser</a>鈥攚ere <span id="ref8637"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/bolt-action" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bolt-operated</a> military arms. Since <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>, however, the <span id="ref8636"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/assault-rifle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">assault rifle</a>, a light medium-range weapon with a switch allowing semi- or fully automatic fire, has become the dominant military rifle.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/weaponry-energy-and-power-systems-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/86/127586-131-7D7D8EC8/condenser-Artist-recreation-James-Watt-steam-engine-1765.jpg" alt="James Watt as a young man, c1769. Scottish engineer and instrument maker. Invented the modern steam engine which became the main source of power in Britain's textile mills. His engine had a separate condenser in which steam from the cylinder; (see notes)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Weaponry, Energy, and Power Systems Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Bolt-action rifles similar to 20th-century military arms remain the most common type for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/hunting-sport/Hunting-codes#ref3397" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">hunting</a>. Bolt action is efficient, reliable, and easy to manufacture and maintain. Most weapons of that type have box magazines to hold cartridges for quick reloading after each shot. Lever-action and slide- or pump-action rifles are less commonly used in the 21st century, but after World War II <span id="ref8638"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/semiautomatic-rifle" class="md-crosslink ">semiautomatic rifles</a> became popular for hunting in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">United States</a>. It is illegal in some countries to hunt with a semiautomatic rifle.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A rifle is usually classified on the basis of the type of action it employs and on the size or <span id="ref8639"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/calibre" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">calibre</a> of ammunition it fires. <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Calibre" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Calibre" data-type="MW">Calibre</a> is the diameter of the bore in inches or millimetres, and the full title of a rifle gives other information; e.g., .30-30 means a rifle with a bore diameter of .30 inch (7.62 mm) and a cartridge case designed to hold 30 grains (2 grams) of powder. Power and performance also depend on the weight and shape of the bullet and its velocity. For instance, a .257 <span id="ref8640"></span>Weatherby鈥攖he name of the inventor of the rifle and the cartridge鈥攊s considerably more powerful than weapons with larger bore diameters such as the .30-30, because the Weatherby bullet travels faster.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/contributor/Richard-C-Rattenbury/9603934">Richard C. 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Rifle | History, Types & Uses | Britannica