What Makes a Battle Rifle?

So, In my Exhaustive study of Battle Rifles this past week I have come across a few things:

>Most Everyone Seems to be very Biased in their responses... (Not Uncommon in the Gun World but it doesn't help)


>There Doesn't seem to be a clear Definition of "Battle Rifle"; Although, the term is heavily thrown around.


>The Actual Specs that Are often Debated Rarely Match when an Argument is made. (or they will bring in weapons that often don't match the topic)

So, I have Decided to make a list of a couple of my picks based on Specs alone, and whatever footage from Reliable reviewers that I can find. This Will Most likely Become an ongoing series In which as I myself can get my hands on said weapons will be updated.
As For a Definition of "Battle Rifle" I will give my own 2 cents on what I classify as a "Battle Rifle" this way my Picks are better defined and you can see my angle.
I would like to Define a Battle Rifle as : A Semi-Automatic Military Firearm, Chambered in a large rifle Caliber, Capable of 4 M.O.A. without the aid of optics. Rifle should be moderately reliable in most environments, and should be capable of withstanding abuse without loss of functionality.

To start of My Hit list, I will go over a few of my picks for this list. I will be excluding firearms such as the AR15, Mini-14/Mini-30, SCAR-L, WASR-10, ect. as most of these are either modified to be Semi-Auto or were never actually adopted by a military.  This list is in no particular order at all mostly as they pop into my head.

Weapon: FNH FAL
Place of Origin:Belgium
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20 & 30 rd Box Mags 50 rd drum available.
Weight: 8.4 -13.1 lb. ( 3.79 - 5.95 kg)
Sights: Aperture/Post, Front
My Thoughts:  I really like the FAL platform, as a 5'9" 225 lb. guy the platform doesn't feel too cumbersome for me. I love any rifle system that incorporates an aperture sight style system, and it seems that there are enough aftermarket parts for this rifle to keep it in service.  The Rifle seems reliable in most instances as a battle rifle, Manufacturers like DSA have also extended the capabilities/Modernized the platform by adding mounts for optics, lights ect. while I wouldn't consider those mission important for a battle rifle they certainly add functionality to the weapon.
All in All, Its on my list of rifles that I want to own and customize.


Weapon: M1A/M14/M21
Place Of Origin: United States
Cartridge: .308 winchester/7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20 rd Box Magazine, also Mythical 50 rd coil Magazine
Weight: 9.8 - 11.5 lb. (4.4 - 5.2 kg)
Sights: Appeture/BarleyCorn front
My Thoughts: I am a really big fan of any Garand Variant rifle, they hold a very special place in my heart. Not only because I am a US citizen but also because of the historical importance they share for us. As far as the Civilian M1A is concerned It gets many kudo's on the side of accuracy. This Rifle has a reputation for being a point and shoot gun, and is still used today as a DM (Designated Marksman) rifle with our military. I am disappointed with the lack of aftermarket parts, This rifle while reliable would be a pain to maintain for a long time without a cache of spare parts to draw from. You add the initial price tag to that and things begin to look bleak. As far as a battle rifle goes this would be another excellent choice if you can handle the weight. adding lights, optics, or other accessories would make this rifle a little more cumbersome. This makes this rifle a much better choice for a marksman's rifle opposed to a standard battle rifle. (If you were to go that route) the big offset with the rifle is cost to maintain. I would not recommend this rifle as a patrol rifle.


Weapon: H&K G3/ STG-33
Place Of Origin: West Germany
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20 rd Box Magazines, 50 rd drums
Weight: 10 lb. (4.7 kg.)

Sights: Rotary Diopter/Hooded Post Front

My Thoughts: I find that much of what can be said about the FAL applies to the G3, they really seem to fit the same form and function. It has a very similar service life, and really just feels like a lighter FAL. The Gripes about the G3 tend to be in recoil/ergonomics. I really can't comment on that because I am a person who finds an AK/Mosin Nagant Ergonomic..... although I am an H&K (Heckler and Koch) Fanboy I can't say that I am a fan of this rifle. In my opinion it feels like a failed attempt to reproduce the FAL. If it was all you had? Yeah you could use it and with few complaints, but its not on the top of my list.

Weapon: AR-10

Place of Origin: United States

Cartridge: .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO

Weight: 7.25 - 8.9 lb. (3.29 - 8.9 kg.)

Sights: Adjustable Aperture/ Fixed Post Front

My Thoughts: The Original Design of Stoner that went on to be scaled down to the 5.56x45mm AR15/M16; This platform has proven itself to be a very accurate weapon. Currently being used mostly as a SASS Sniper platform, I will acknowledge this as a Battle Rifle for this segment. (Mostly because there would be those who could argue that It fits my definition) This weapon like I stated previously is a benchmark for accuracy and is really only bested by purpose built SASS weapons or bolt action scoped rifles. It has a wealth of aftermarket parts, accessories, and so fourth. The only place this baby lacks is in Reliability. In order to maintain an "Effective" AR is to properly maintain it OFTEN. This means Stopping at least once a day to clean out any dust, re oil parts, and do any other maintenance. For a true Battle Rifle to be effective it has to be Readily Able to take abuse. The worst thing that could happen is to be up in the mountains with your rifle disassembled because of a malfunction, and have a bear decide you're in its turf. While this is plausible with all the other weapons specified you increase your chances of being ambushed by needing to stop more often. I think this is an excellent weapon, but it is best used with optics as a DM weapon.

Weapon: FNH SCAR-H (Heavy Barrel)

Place Of Origin:Belgium

Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62x39mm [Russian]

Weight: 7.9 lb. (3.58 kg.)

Sights: Aperture/Hooded Post front, 1913 rail mounted BUIS (Back Up Iron Sights)

My Thoughts: The SCAR is actually one of the up and Comers, It Is possible that the U.S. will use this rifle to fill the Battle Rifle role for their DM's. Currently It is still being Tested In combat and there are no official reports (In b4 phail) that we will adopt the weapon. What I like about the SCAR as a Battle Rifle is that It adresses many of the issues that were rampant with other systems in terms of ergonomics and weight. I like the Premise of a smaller, lighter Ergonomic Battle Rifle. It has a Gas system similar to the M1 Garand. It will be interesting to see how this rifle plays out on the field. Although I still cannot give it my endorsement as starting around the $2,000 range this rifle is hardly affordable, and to mention that it is still not completely in circulation means that replacement parts, mags, and other accessories would be difficult to find. Believe me I want this gun to win, but the realist in me says that at this point its more money that you could use to build a great rifle from one of these other platforms.

This Basically Covers the list of Rifles that most match my definition, I hope in the future here to have some data that will prove or disprove my theory's here. If I indeed find them I will link down Below.

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