We live in the age of the intermediate caliber rifle. Across the world, it’s the most popular platform with police and military forces in assault rifle formats and with civilians as standard semi-auto rifles. These guns dominate the market, but hidden behind every half dozen 5.56 or 7.62x39mm rifles sits a battle rifle. Battle rifles were the stars of the Cold War or at least some of it.
They are typically seen as the last generation of rifles, sometimes ignored purely due to age. I’m not fudd living in the past. For the average person, an AR-15 is often the answer to their woes. If you need a rifle that can be used for home defense, competition, hunting, or just for fun, then the AR is the way to go. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the battle rifle deserves some appreciation.
What’s a Battle Rifle?
I guess I’ve talked long enough without defining what a battle rifle is. Battle rifle as a term is a retronym because we needed to have a term that applied to this niche of rifles. They differ enough from your standard, intermediate rifle that they deserve their own term. A battle rifle is traditionally a semi-auto rifle that utilizes a full-powered rifle caliber, like 7.62 NATO, 7.62x54R, 8mm Mauser, etc.
Most of the time, these rifles have removable box magazines, but rifles like the M1 Garand and FN M1949 often fit into the battle rifle role as well. These rifles can be selective fire, but the recoil generated by a full powered round often makes them difficult to control. They are not sniping rifles but can be optically enhanced to provide longer-range fires.
These rifles are rarely superbly accurate and, at best, could be a designated marksman’s rifle. They also tend to be a good bit of fun to shoot. Sure intermediate recoil is soft, but full-powered rifle rounds are a lot of fun. If you can’t appreciate the recoil and challenge of controlling these guns, then they aren’t for you.
If you don’t mind a little extra recoil, then the battle rifle is for you!
Modern Battle Rifles You Can Actually Own
Springfield M1A
I think the M14 was a pretty lousy service rifle. Not necessarily due to it being poorly suited for jungle warfare in Vietnam, but because they just couldn’t make them right for whatever reason. A few decades later, Springfield seems to have solved the conundrum and produced a wide variety of M14 rifles in various configurations.
This includes the classic National Match, the modern tactical SOCOM 19, and the ‘tanker’ model, which combines a short barrel with classic wood furniture. There is just a little something for everyone with the Springfield M1A. It does keep the rather terrible ergos of the M14, but these rifles are reliable, accurate, and widely available. They are a product of their time, and it shows.
DSA FN FAL
DSA does for the FAL what Springfield Armory does for the M14. DSA produces FALs in nearly every configuration imaginable. For classic historical examples to modern commando variants. DSA proudly reproduces the right arm of the free world in any size and shape you could want. These rifles are very well made and a ton of fun to shoot.
The FN FAL is my personal favorite battle rifle, and it has a rich history. The United States almost adopted it, and they would have been better off adopting it than the M14. The FAL series of rifles were used by most western nations during the Cold War, and it remained in service for decades.
PTR 91
The Belgians made the FAL and typically licensed its construction to foreign countries. West Germany showed an interest in the FAL, and FN would sell them rifles but would not allow them to license the design. It turns out they were still pretty upset about being invaded and ransacked for two world wars. Thus, the Germans turned to CETME and licensed the G3 design.
The G3 is a roller-delayed blowback rifle chambering the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. It’s famously big, heavy, loud, and quite reliable, albeit not very friendly for left-handed shooters. PTR out of South Carolina produces modern reproductions called the PTR 91 that are downright beautiful. They produce classic and more modern options and even a pistol with an 8.5-inch barrel in case you hate your ears.
AR-10
If you really love the AR platform, then the AR-10 gives you an instant battle rifle with all the controls and features you are used to. This includes near-limitless modularity, easy caliber conversions, and affordable magazines. Eugene Stoner designed the AR-10 first, and it was made pint size to produce the AR-15.
Much like the AR-15, tons of people make AR-10s. You can get them priced at nearly every tier with varying barrel lengths and even pistol platforms with braces. The AR-10 is one of the most ergonomic and lightweight battle rifles out there. If you are just buying one, then I’d go with the AR-10. Plus, who doesn’t need a battle rifle with a 50-round drum?
SCAR 17S
Another Belgium beauty designed by FN. The FN SCAR series was designed for SOCOM but has produced the gun as the 17S for the civilian market. It’s probably the most advanced battle rifle on the market. Lightweight metals and polymer cut weight, and the things have rails for days.
Additionally, it’s lefty-friendly with reversible ambi controls. On top of that, it’s quite accurate and modular for the end user. The SCAR 17S also tends to be light recoiling for a battle rifle and a ton of fun to shoot. However, it’s known for killing weak optics and costing as much as your firstborn.
The World of Battle Rifles
The battle rifle isn’t the go-to do-anything rifle, but it does have a niche it excels in. When you need to punch through something or reach out a little further, then the battle rifle is for you. While a number of these models are a bit dated, they are still a ton of fun and enjoyable experience. Good battle rifles can go a long way—literally.
