Battle rifle

Battle rifle is a rifle that fires full-power rifle ammunition, such as the 7.62×51mm as opposed to low-power ammunition such as the 5.56mm used in the fully automatic M16 and M4 or the semi-automatic AR-15.

Gun writer Kenneth Royce says in his Boston's Gun Bible, "A semi-auto military-pattern rifle of substantial cartridge, such as the .308. Examples are the M14, FAL, HK91, and AR-10. A battle rifle should be able to deliver "1000fpe at 500 yards within 20" (4MOA). 500 yards with iron sights is about max for most shooters (even very good ones). Superior power and accuracy belongs to scoped bolt guns in magnum cartridges. An MBR should be effective out to ranges where the sniper rifle begins. 200-300yd carbines in .223 have their place (support, CQB, perimeter, etc.), but riflemen need rifles."

Royce continues, "Battles carbines/calibers do have their place (e.g. CQB, urban fighting, perimeter defense, etc.), but one must always keep in mind their significant limitations. To wit: they cannot perforate much cover, and effective range is only 200-300 yards. Take the.308 (or .30-06 or .303 or 8x57), however, It will strike an incapacitating blow as far as the shooter can hit with iron sights (i.e., about 600 yards). It will perforate much battlefield cover, including trees and light steel. As a Vietnam War vet friend remarked, 'There's no hiding from a .308!' Amen. It's been widely known for a long time that wars are not won by pistols. What we're now realizing it that wars are not won even by fully automatic battle carbines such as the M16 and M4. Afghanistan provided the perfect example: Guerrillas with 'antiquated' bolt-aciton .303s fought off Soviet invaders armed with modern full-auto .22s (AK74s in 5.45x39), jet fighter-bombers, and helicopter gunships."

The last American "battle rifle" issued in mass to U.S. soldiers was the M14 automatic rifle.

Battles rifles are popular mostly for their durability, accuracy and the high power cartridges they fire instead of low power rounds such as the 5.56 mm. Many battle rifles have iron sights (M14 and M1A) and heavy-duty construction that make them extremely reliable and accurate.

See also

• M14 automatic rifle
• M1 Garand
• AR-15 semi-automatic rifle
• Firearms