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Rifle reviews on antique, military and hunting rifles. The reviews discuss features, functions, history and safety notes on a variety of classic rifles. (Check the links below or on the left panel).

All rifles are interesting to me in three ways. Each has it's own design strengths and weaknesses. Many have historical importance and also there are the shooting characteristics. The latter is what most of us are really after... performance in the field. That is, the bullet must hit the intended target consistantly and with enough force to accomplish it's purpose. Also, in warfare and hunting, rapid repeat firing is often critical.

So how is this accomplished? Doesn't new technology so often start with military applications? The 18th century muskets used in battle were smoothbores that fired round balls. Accurate to a distance of around 50 yards. They were relatively quick to reload as far as muzzleloaders are concerned. When shooting in volleys accuracy was of little concern.

Though invented in the 15th century, rifled barrels were not commonly used until the early 1800's. The photo at right is an modern 8 groove rifled shotgun barrel. Adding rifling grooves to gun barrels extended the range and accuracy. Also, it allowed for the use of elongated conical bullets.

The advantage with conicals was that a heavier projectile could be launched from a small diameter barrel with good accuracy and killing power to several hundred yards. The disadvantage was they were not easily pushed down the barrel after a couple shots had fouled it.

The Minie Ball (above) was introduced in the 1840's to allow for fast reloading. It was a little smaller in diameter than the bore size for ease of loading. When fired, gas pressure expanded the hollowed out skirt at the rear, pressing it into the rifling grooves as it moved forward.

The Civil War era brought great improvements to firearm technology. Breech loading lever actions were introduced that fired rimfire cartridges. The rapid firing repeating arms were here to stay.

Strong and highly accurate bolt actions, semi automatic and then fully automatic designs followed. Cartridge design continually improved. Glass scopes replaced iron sights.

The innovations and improvements continue today, and yet... we still have 100 year old designs in production.

To me they are all interesting and so I look forward to the next rifle to review. I hope you find something in the links below that you like...