battlerifle

A battlerifle is a class of infantry rifle designed to fire full-power rifle cartridges, typically in the 7.62x51mm NATO range or similar. Battlerifles are intended for general combat use with a emphasis on longer-range performance and stopping power compared with intermediate-caliber assault rifles. They are usually heavier, longer, and equipped with detachable magazines and semi-automatic or select-fire capability.

Historically, battlerifles emerged in the post–World War II era as NATO and other forces sought a successor to bolt-action service rifles that could engage targets at greater distances. Notable examples include the American M14, the Belgian FN FAL, the German HK G3, and the British L1A1 SLR. These rifles commonly fired full-power cartridges and were deployed as standard infantry rifles in the 1950s and 1960s. The concept faced decline as many armies adopted smaller, lighter intermediate cartridges and dedicated assault rifles.

In modern service, battlerifles remain in use in limited roles or by some units as designated marksman rifles or reserve weapons. They are prized for longer-range accuracy and authority at distance, but their heavier weight and recoil can limit maneuverability compared with contemporary assault rifles. The battlerifle concept is less dominant in new designs, though several existing models or their variants remain in active or reserve use around the world.

In culture and discourse, the term is sometimes used to describe historical or film/fictional weapons that fire full-power rounds, or to distinguish these rifles from lighter, lighter-recoiling assault rifle designs.