Rifles are long-barreled firearms designed to be held against the shoulder and fired.

1 They are characterized by their rifled barrels, meaning the inside of the barrel has grooves that impart a spin on the bullet, increasing its accuracy and range. 2 Rifles are primarily used for hunting, target shooting, and military applications. They come in a variety of types, including bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, and pump-action, each with its own mechanism for loading and firing cartridges. Rifles are chambered in a wide range of calibers, from small-bore rimfire cartridges used for target shooting and small game hunting, to large-bore centerfire cartridges designed for big game hunting and long-range shooting. 3 Due to their accuracy and power, rifles are often the preferred firearm for hunting and precision shooting