Editing Battle rifle

A '''Battle Rifle''' or '''Main Battle Rifle''' is a full-size [[rifle]] designed for military use that fires a high-power rifle cartridge such as the U.S. [[.30-06]], the Russian [[7.62x54R]], or the [[7.62x51mm]] NATO cartridge.  'High power', in this instance, refers to a combination of velocity and bullet weight; these cartridges commonly employ bullet weights of at least 147 grains (9.53 g) and velocities in excess of 2,600 feet per second (792 mps).  While the term ''battle rifle'' is usually given to post-World War II selective-fire infantry [[service rifle]]s such as the [[Heckler & Koch G3|H&K G3]], the [[FN FAL]], the ArmaLite [[AR-10]], or the U.S. [[M14 rifle|M14]], it can also include older military [[bolt-action]] or [[semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic]] rifles such as the [[Mosin Nagant]] or the [[M1 Garand]].<ref>Pomeroy, Ashley, ''Battle Rifle'' http://everything2.com/e2node/Battle%20rifle</ref><ref>Hogg, Ian, and Weeks, John ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century'' 5th ed. DBI Books (1985)</ref> 

In contrast, so-called 'Assault' rifles fire smaller, intermediate-size cartridges and bullets, such as the [[5.56x45mm]] NATO round used in the [[M16]], or the Russian moderate-velocity [[7.62x39mm]] cartridge of the [[AK47]] and AKM series of rifles.  However, some overlapping of rifle design and cartridge application occurs; for example, a few relatively compact selective-fire rifles in 7.62x51mm NATO caliber have been produced.<ref>Pomeroy, Ashley, ''Battle Rifle'' http://everything2.com/e2node/Battle%20rifle</ref><ref>Hogg, Ian, and Weeks, John ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century'' 5th ed. DBI Books (1985)</ref>

The battle rifle's power and long-range accuracy were intended to engage targets at long distances; its length and weight make it relatively cumbersome in close quarter combat.  Its full-power cartridge makes most battle rifles difficult to control when used in automatic fire.<ref>Pomeroy, Ashley, ''Battle Rifle'' http://everything2.com/e2node/Battle%20rifle</ref><ref>Hogg, Ian, and Weeks, John ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century'' 5th ed. DBI Books (1985)</ref> 

During World War II, both Axis and Allied researchers observed that most small-arms combat occurred at 100-yard or closer distances, with few occurring beyond 300 yards.<ref>Markham, George, ''Guns of the Reich: Firearms of the German Forces 1939-1945'', Arms and Armour Press (1989), pp.110-113</ref>  Thus, at short range, the battle rifle's advantages are mostly wasted, favoring the employment of more compact, lighter, and more maneuverable rifles.  This dimensional disadvantage provoked development of the world's first, true [[assault rifle]], which would become the [[Germany|German]] [[StG 44]].<ref>Markham, George, ''Guns of the Reich: Firearms of the German Forces 1939-1945'', Arms and Armour Press (1989), pp.115-116</ref>

==References== 
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Assault rifle]]
*[[Service rifle]]
*[[List of firearms]]

[[category:military]]
[[Category:Rifles]]
[[Category:Battle rifles| ]]

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