Rifles

Rifles are two-handed firearms designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves ("rifling") cut into the barrel walls. The mainstays of armed combat and hunting, rifles are characterized by long-range accuracy and effectiveness, but other factors, such as rate of fire, vary widely depending on the type. Rifles are categorized by the type of loading mechanism (or action) they use. They are made to fill a variety of purposes and most are very modular.

Most zombie experts agree that rifles are the best firearms in a zombie outbreak. A few things that any survivor must take into account, should they have a choice, are the ammunition type used by the rifle, it's make and manufacturer, and the skill required to operate it. Each caliber has pros and cons. A high powered round, such as a .50 caliber round, can easily rip through several human or zombie targets in one shot. Most guns of such a caliber are very heavy, difficult to maintain, and extremely rare. On the other hand, a round such as .22 Long Rifle is incredibly easy to find, assuming guns aren't completely illegal where you live. At the same time, though, such a round would easily bounce off any form of armor. As such, such a gun would be best suited for a high population environment where one would wish to not draw attention to themself. Essentially, the strength of any gun depends on both the skill of a user, and his or her needs.

Rifle Types[]

Bolt-action Rifles[]

Remington 700 BDL, a typical bolt-action rifle

Bolt-action rifles are loaded by manual operation of the bolt to eject a spent cartridge from the chamber and load a new one. Quality-made bolt-action rifles are often easy to maintain, and are very sturdy and reliable. Since their action requires the operator to manually cycle the bolt, the practical rate of fire for a bolt-action rifle, like any other manually-operated firearm, is much lower than a self-loading firearm's. According to the Zombie Survival Guide, ex-military bolt-action rifles like the Mauser Kar98k, the Lee-Enfield, and the M1903 Springfield are ideal anti-zombie firearms.

While usually chambered in full-powered rifle calibres (7.62x51mm, 7.62x54mmR, etc), these weapons typically have a low magazine capacity, requiring reloading after only a few kills. It is also worth noting that larger calibres such as .338 Lapua Magnum are overkill against a typical zombie, and the weapons firing those calibres are heavy and unwieldy.

Lever-Action Rifles[]

Lever-action rifles are loaded by manual operation of a lever located around the trigger guard area (often including the trigger guard itself). While lever-action rifles have long been popular with hunters and sporting shooters, they were not widely accepted by the military. One significant reason for this was that it is harder to fire a lever-action from the prone position (compared to a bolt-action rifle). Another is that most lever-action rifles typically use a tubular magazine, which limits them from using stripper clips, the Winchester 1895 being the sole exception to this. Lever-action rifles generally have a significantly higher rate of fire than bolt-actions and a greater magazine capacity (the famous Winchester Model 1873, for example, has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds, and most modern lever-actions hold 6 or 7 rounds).

Generally more uncommon compared to bolt-action rifles, these weapons can still be found in the hands of Old West enthusiasts and hunters. Lever-action rifles can be chambered in many calibres, ranging from .22 Long Rifle to the heavy .45-70 Government.

Pump-Action Rifles[]

Remington 760

Remington 7600

Pump-action rifles are manually operated by a pump handle at the fore end of the rifle. Pump-action rifles are a good "cross-over" firearm for people who are used to handling semi-automatic rifles and pump-action shotguns in terms of operation and rate of fire. In some jurisdictions where the legal ownership of semi-auto rifles is heavily banned and restricted e.g. Australia, pump-action rifles are a decent anti-zombie firearm alongside bolt-action and lever-action rifles - in countries without such laws, they are quite uncommon.

Pump-action versions of AR-pattern and AK-pattern rifles have been produced so that the firearms can get around the "Assault Weapons" legislation in a number of American states. Some examples are the DPMS Panther (AR-pattern) and the Romanian-made Cugir PAR (AK-pattern).

Semi-Automatic Rifles[]

Semi-automatic rifles fire a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically eject the spent cartridge, chamber a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot. They may be operated by a number of mechanisms, all of which derive their power from the explosion of the powder in the cartridge that also fires the bullet. A semi-automatic rifle may be originally designed to be semi-automatic (such as the American M1 Garand or Russian SKS), or a civilian version of a military assault rifle design that lacks its fully-automatic fire mode.

The semi-automatic action is ideal for fighting zombies when well-maintained - without having to work an action, the shooter is able to output a lot more firepower and only has to stop to reload. However, the gas systems of the weapon have to be kept free of fouling to prevent untimely weapon malfunctions. Semi-automatic AR-15s chambered in .223 Remington (a civilian relative to the military 5.56x45mm NATO) are very common in the United States.

AK-like weapons in .366 TKM - commonly found in the Russian Federation as civilian firearms - are included here, although they are technically not rifles due to being smoothbore. This is due to Russian gun laws - as they are smoothbore, these weapons are defined as shotguns.

Designated Marksman Rifles[]

Designated marksman rifles, abbreviated as "DMRs", are high-precision semi-automatic rifles used by marksmen in the military. These weapons are chambered in full-powered rifle cartridges such as 7.62x51mm and 7.62x54mmR. Used alongside a scope, these weapons are an excellent choice for zombie fighting due to their high accuracy, high rate of fire, and magazine-fed nature.

The SVD family of DMRs, chambered in 7.62x54mmR, is common in the Russian military, while American militaries use a variety of DMRs usually chambered in 7.62x51mm.

Bullpup Rifles[]

Bullpup rifles are rifles that hold the magazine behind the trigger - in doing so, they save room for the barrel. This means that they are typically shorter than conventional configuration rifles with equivalent barrel lengths, increasing their range, accuracy, and firepower. Due to the positioning of the ejection port, most bullpup weapons have the problem of throwing empty casings into a left handed shooter's face, which can make it difficult and dangerous to engage targets from behind cover. A few models circumvent this issue by ejecting spent cartridges through the bottom of the weapon. Bullpup weapons, by their design, have significant slack in their triggers, due to the linkage mechanisms required to position the grip and trigger forward of the action. The design of bullpup weapons can also make it difficult to reload without shifting position while in the prone position; the manual of arms for bullpup weapons can present significant issues to those familiar and practiced with rifles built in a conventional configuration. Examples of these weapons include the FN F2000 and Steyr AUG.

Bullpup rifles are by design slower to reload, charge, and manipulate due to the positioning of the magazine and operating controls.

Automatic Rifles[]

Automatic rifles, also known as "selective-fire rifles", or a variety of other terms, are a type of rifle that can fire continuously for as long as the trigger is depressed - the firing mode is selected by use of a switch. Automatic rifles were the logical next step from semi-automatic rifles, and automatic and semi-automatic rifle designs generally have a lot in common. Indeed, many semi-automatic rifles on the civilian market are simply semi-automatic-only versions of existing automatic rifle designs. Automatic rifles are divided into two sub-classes, depending on their caliber: battle rifles and assault rifles.

It is important to note that the fully-automatic firing mode is typically used in modern combat for "suppression" - stopping the enemy from moving by sheer weight of fire and their fear of getting shot. However, as zombies cannot feel fear, suppression is ineffective and a waste of valuable ammunition.

Battle Rifles[]

FN FAL, a typical battle rifle

Battle rifles utilize full-powered rifle cartridges such as 7.62x51mm and can fire in either semi-automatic or fully automatic (the shooter can choose the firing mode with a selector switch), but use in automatic mode is generally discouraged because the recoil in most models is difficult to manage and wastes ammunition. Battle rifles are generally heavier and longer than assault rifles and have a somewhat smaller magazine capacity (most battle rifles have a 20 round magazine), necessitating more frequent reloads. Another downside is the weight of their ammunition (one can carry roughly twice as much 5.56x45mm ammunition for an equivalent weight of 7.62x51mm). On the upside, the larger caliber means battle rifles are effective at longer ranges than assault rifles, and can still destroy a zombie's brain from a more off-centre hit.

Well-known battle rifle designs include the M14, FN FAL, HK417, and G3. Designated marksman rifles are often based on battle rifle designs - for example, the Mk 14 is derived from the M14, and the PSG-1 is derived from the G3.

Assault Rifles[]

Type 56, a Chinese copy of the AK-47

M16A1, a Vietnam-era American assault rifle

Assault rifles are similar to battle rifles, but chambered in intermediate calibers such as 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm. The lighter ammunition allows assault rifle users to carry more ammunition, and results in somewhat increased magazine capacity (usually 30 rounds), reduced recoil and reduced weight. However, compared to battle rifles, assault rifles suffer from decreased range and slightly less firepower - however, their rounds are designed to make up for it by tumbling and fragmenting in flesh. Well-known assault rifle designs include the AK series of rifles, the AR-15 family and its derivatives, the FN FNC, the G36, and the Steyr AUG . Due to their combination of firepower, relatively high rate of fire, and good accuracy within the ranges infantry engagements are typically fought at (less than 300 meters), select-fire assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons of armies around the world.

Against zombies, these weapons are ideal for competent and level-headed shooters - they combine low recoil with good magazine capacity and low weight. However, they require some precision, as glancing hits may not completely destroy the whole brain in a single shot.

5.56x45mm is the standard intermediate round for all members of the NATO military alliance, and is widely used by other countries across the world. In post-Soviet states, 5.45x39mm and 7.62x39mm are common. The Chinese military uses their unique 5.8x42mm calibre in their rifles.

Bullpup Weapons[]

"Bullpup" is a term used for weapons with the magazine and chamber behind the trigger, rather than vice versa (the conventional layout). These weapons are shorter than similar rifles for the same barrel length - however, they are less ergonomic (especially in the prone position). Some bullpup weapons are right-hand only, due to ejecting empty casings into a left-handed user's face.

List of common rifles[]

Bolt-action[]

Remington 700 - highly popular bolt-action rifle among military, law enforcement, and civilians for use as a sniper or hunting rifle.
Winchester Model 70 - bolt-action rifle, in use with military, police, and civilians.
Mauser Karabiner 98k - WWII German bolt-action infantry rifle chambered in 7.92x57mm. Highly popular and accurate rifle among firearm owners.
Lee-Enfield series rifles - classic British bolt-action infantry rifle chambered in .303 British. Highly reliable, accurate, and renowned for its smooth action.
Springfield M1903 - famous American bolt-action infantry rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield. Highly accurate but can prove unwieldy to the inexperienced shooter.
Mosin-Nagant - famous Russian/Soviet series of bolt-action rifles and carbines chambered in 7.62x54mmR. Rugged and reliable.

Pump-action[]

Remington Model 760/7600/7615 series pump-action rifle

Lever-action[]

Winchester Model 1894 lever-action rifle
Marlin Model 336/444/1895 series lever-action rifle

Semi-automatic[]

AR-15-style rifles - civilian variants of the ArmaLite AR-15 and the Colt AR-15. Hundreds of models based on Stoner's design now exist. Typically chambered in .223 Remington (civilian version of 5.56x45mm). Parts are very common in the United States due to the rifle's popularity with civilians and law enforcement, making any necessary repairs or modifications far easier.
Ruger 10/22 - semi-automatic rifle known for its dedicated fanbase and plethora of aftermarket parts. Cheap, reliable, and highly available, it is popular as a plinking rifle and for taking small game. Chambered in .22 Long Rifle - lacks power, but still potent to destroy a zombie's brain with a precise shot.
SVD - Russian designated marksman rifle. Accurate and long-ranged, suitable for sentries and rangers. Chambered in 7.62x54mmR.
SKS - Russian semi-automatic rifle. Enjoys some popularity throughout the world, including among American sport shooters. Typically has a non-removable 10-round magazine, but some "sporterised" versions can use detachable magazines of varying size. Chambered in 7.62x39mm.
M1 Garand - Classic US military semi-automatic rifle of the Second World War and the Korean War. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield.
M1A - civilian version of the M14. Chambered in .308 Winchester (civilian version of 7.62x51mm).
Ruger Mini-14/Mini-30 - civilian off-shoot of the M1A. Availible in .223/5.56 and 7.62x39 calibers.

Selective-fire[]

M16 series - assault rifles derived from the civilian ArmaLite AR-15. Very user friendly, highly customisable, uncomplicated to field strip with experience. Service rifle of the US Marine Corps. Chambered in 5.56x45mm, STANAG-compatible.
M4 series - carbines derived from the M16 series. Sacrifices some range and firepower for lighter weight and easier manipulation in close quarters - excellent for scavenging in buildings. Service rifle of the US Army. Chambered in 5.56x45mm, STANAG-compatible.
HK416 - assault rifle, similar appearance to the M16 and M4. Very user friendly, highly customisable. Famously used by Delta Force - also the service rifle of the French military. Chambered in 5.56x45mm, STANAG-compatible.
- HK417 - battle rifle, cousin to the HK416. Chambered in 7.62x51mm.

L85 series - bullpup assault rifle. Service rifle of the British Armed Forces. Be wary of the L85A1 version, as it is highly unreliable - however, later versions solved reliability issues, turning it into a decent rifle. Chambered in 5.56x45mm, STANAG-compatible.
AUG - bullpup assault rifle. Service rifle of the German military. Chambered in 5.56x45mm - however, some variants are not STANAG-compatible.
AK-47 (and relatives) - older Soviet assault rifle. Very durable, hardly jams, easy to field strip. However, suffers from a lack of customisation without changes to the weapon's furniture. Chambered in 7.62x39mm.
AK-74 (and relatives) - newer Soviet/Russian assault rifle. Similar characteristics to the AK-47, chambered in 5.45x39mm.
- AKS-74U - extremely short version of the AK-74. Excellent in close quarters, but lacking in range due to the short barrel.
M14 - battle rifle derived from the M1 Garand with a 20-round detachable box magazine. Chambered in 7.62x51mm.
FN FAL - Cold War-era European battle rifle. Once used by many Western European countries, and still common in African countries such as South Africa. Chambered in 7.62x51mm. Be wary between the differences in "inch-pattern" (British and Commonwealth) and "metric" (European) FALs - inch-pattern FALs can take both inch-pattern and metric magazines, but metric FALs can only take metric magazines.

Sniper rifles[]

Sniper rifles are intended to engage targets at greater distances than a standard soldier's rifle and/or with greater accuracy. Sniper rifles are usually defined as rifles capable of sub-MOA (minute of arc) performance at 100yrds and/or the ability to accurately hit a point target (man sized target) at 600+ yards. Nevertheless, these are not hard and fast rules. They are more difficult to use effectively than one might suppose, and using them at extreme distance requires much practice and training. Many factors such as wind, bullet drop, altitude, air temperature must be factored in when making shots at long distance. Examples used by armies around the world are the AWM, M24, M40, and M21. Features such as action, barrel style, magazine capacity, and stock style and material vary greatly among rifles.

While some might see the sniper rifle's accuracy as a great tool against zombies, that is not always the case. Even if someone is trained to properly use one, engaging a zombie is much more difficult than training targets. Military and police snipers are trained to hit an enemy's chest to either penetrate their heart or hit another vital organ to cause death or severely would them; they are purposely trained to avoid the temptation to try and make a headshot. If the sniper can aim several inches higher, they will find out why this lesson was taught - hitting an enemy's head at long ranges is difficult. Sniper rifles have effective and maximum ranges at which they can be expected to hit a point, or at least near it. When shooting a head, the couple of inches a bullet can miss means missing the target completely. Combine this with the movements it makes when lumbering towards something, and trying to shoot a zombie with a sniper rifle dramatically reduces its range. Suppressors can usually be attached to most sniper rifles that can make the shot silent at the range of the target. Even so, an impact into a zombie head and it falling to the ground will be heard by others if the area is quiet. This can be exploited to draw in and kill other zombies as they gather and slow down to inspect the area.

Anti-Materiel Rifles[]

Anti-materiel rifles (abbreviated to AMRs) are high powered rifles used against enemy objects (as opposed to personnel) that smaller caliber rifles can't penetrate. They are usually chambered in large calibers such as .50 BMG.

The ancestor of the AMR is the anti-tank rifle, which first saw combat in World War I. They were used against enemy vehicles, such as tanks. However, as tank armor improved, the anti-tank rifle fell out of favour as better anti-armor weaponry such as rocket launchers achieved better results. Instead, anti-materiel rifles are now used to disable lighter enemy vehicles, landed aircraft, and other enemy "materiel". Modern anti material rifles are typically semi-automatic or bolt-action. They have a low magazine capacity, typically 5 to 10 rounds, and are heavy and cumbersome. These drawbacks make them inpractical for use in a zombie apocalypse and can't be used indoors.

AMRs are not built for high accuracy - at long range, their rounds may miss a man-sized target, let alone a head, where hitting a part of a vehicle would still have been acceptable. At shorter ranges, the large bullets would seemingly cause a head to explode, but the destruction of the brain would be the same if the shooter had used a smaller rifle.

As stated, these weapons are highly situational and completely impractical for use against zombies. A use may be found for them as settlement defence weapons - if a raiding party using vehicles is spotted, an anti-materiel rifle could destroy the engines of their vehicles, leaving them as easy pickings for other marksmen. However, this permanently immobilises their vehicles, making them worthless in post-battle scavenging.

Examples of modern AMRs include the American M82A1, the British AS50, and the old Russian PTRD.