The principle of operation of carabiners
For the successful operation of any rifled firearm, the rifling in the barrel is important. They are necessary to ensure that the bullet rotates as it leaves the muzzle. Rotation is necessary in order to ensure better accuracy of shots.
The number of grooves, the direction of their rotation, the type and pitch may differ in different types of carbines. However, modern firearms can have up to 10 rifling. The higher the number, the stronger the grouping of shots. The rifling in the barrel has left and right direction of rotation.
In addition, they are distinguished by profile type. It happens:
- rectangular;
- trapezoidal;
- triangular;
- oval.
In everyday life, trapezoidal and rectangular types of rifling have become more widespread. The pitch of the cut is the distance by which the cut turns completely. In our country it is measured in millimeters; in the West, revolutions are counted in inches. Long cartridges require a faster (shorter) twist, short bullets require a slower (long) twist.
Carbines are divided into types, taking into account the method of reloading:
- Those using a bolt action - they have better accuracy and more accurate shots, they are easy to clean and easy to maintain. However, such weapons are not rapid-fire, and for certain types of hunting this is a very important indicator. This type of carbine is suitable for experienced hunters.
- Semi-automatic self-loading carbines make it possible to quickly fire a second, third or more time. But they have less accuracy of shots, and shooting accuracy suffers a little. In addition, the weapon needs serious cleaning and diligent care.
- There is also a separate type - fittings or break rifles of the rifled type. They have good balance, and this carbine is comfortable to hold in your hands. Comfortable shooting offhand. They are distinguished by high build quality, because the fitting is done by hand. They are used for hunting large and dangerous animals. The rifle should be fired at a short distance (up to 100 meters); at long distances over 200 meters, guns are ineffective. Such carbines are quite expensive to produce, and their cost is appropriate.
Ruger Mini-14
If you're looking for the best rifle for hunting, you might want to consider this semi-automatic model. The weapon modification was released in 1973 by the famous American company Ruger & Co, which to this day is engaged in the development and modernization of small arms. Samples of this company remain incredibly in demand by hunters and hobbyists all over the world.
The Ruger uses 223 Rem caliber cartridges, but the low killing power does not allow this rifle to hunt large animals. The best option for prey would be small and medium-sized fur-bearing animals or game birds. However, the semi-automatic mode allows you not to think about the reload speed while fishing. While one shooter is reloading the sliding bolt, the hunter with the Ruger will already have time to empty half the magazine.
In conclusion, we offer you a short video in which you will find more detailed information on how to choose a quality rifle, as well as an overview of rifles for hunting. We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with it.
As you can see, the concept of “the best rifle for hunting” remains very vague even in the 21st century. Each hunter chooses a weapon for hunting independently, based on his individual preferences. For some, killing power is important, for others, accuracy at long distances, and for others, they simply choose a rifle based on appearance, so that they can later show off the unit to their friends. This approach to choosing a carbine is as correct as possible, but we must not forget about the technical characteristics, so as not to buy some scrap metal from a little-known company instead of a firearm.
The best carbines in the world
We present a rating of the highest quality carbines on the planet.
Blaser
Blaser was founded in 1957 in Germany. In 2010, the company launched the R8 rifled carbine; this model is an improved version of the R93.
The weapon has a longitudinally sliding bolt, it is a very accurate and high-quality gun. The carbine's trigger is dry and smooth, it's easy to press, and the shot is fired at lightning speed. This is very important for achieving a successful hunting result.
The buttstock is ergonomic; thanks to the fore-end, the carbine is comfortable to pick up and hold in the process of preparing for shooting and when firing. Therefore, during use there is almost no felt recoil. The design is very successful - the magazine can be replaced extremely quickly; to remove it, you need to press two buttons. It is possible to insert a new one blindly.
The gun is perfectly protected from accidental shots, it has a manual cocking. The spring is cocked immediately before firing.
The weapon is easy to disassemble and reassemble. This makes cleaning and maintaining the gun easier.
Metal elements are made of stainless metal alloys. They are treated with a protective coating that prevents corrosion. Thanks to the closed housing, dust and dirt will not get into the carbine, and the weapon will work for a long time. The barrel of a gun is easy to change, so you can use different calibers for hunting. This is an almost flawless imported gun, it has only one drawback - an expensive price in comparison with analogues.
Mauser
One of the most popular models from Mauser, the M12 is a magazine-type hunting rifle. Has a longitudinally sliding rotary shutter. The weapon is equipped with a 560 mm barrel, suitable for cartridges of a wide variety of calibers.
The bolt of the gun is of a longitudinally sliding, rotary type, has six lugs arranged in two rows. The stops are located in grooves in the receiver. On the right side of the bolt clutch there is a lever that cocks the mainspring; in addition, it controls the safety.
The trigger mechanism is adjustable. The magazine capacity is 4+1 or 5+1 bullets. The magazine is made of black plastic, the bottom is made of stainless metal. The weapon can be equipped with a stock made of wood or synthetics. Hunters praise Mausers for their quality, convenience, reliable use and shooting accuracy.
Sauer
Sauer & Sohn was founded in Germany in 1751. The birthplace of the company was the city of Suhl, famous for its weapons traditions. As of today, Sauer is the oldest arms company in Germany.
Today, the Sauer 100 model, presented on the market since 2016, is popular among hunters. The carbine is affordable, but the weapon is of high quality; almost every hunter can afford it.
The gun has a longitudinally sliding rotary bolt. There is a three-position safety that locks the sear and separates it from the trigger. Therefore, you can unload the carbine and send cartridges without turning on the safety. The Sauer barrel is made using rotary forging. This method increases the firing life of the weapon. The barrel of the Sauer is free-floating, this reduces internal vibrations and increases the accuracy of the shot. The rifling pitch is 1.11 inches, which makes it possible to use any type of cartridge.
The disadvantage is the high cocking gain in the gate. Overall, this is a fairly affordable carbine that won't let you down when hunting, and it's reasonably priced.
Remington
The American brand Remington is a true classic that has been tested by time and users. The weapon is easy to use and reliable. Samples of carbines are massive, they do not have any frills.
The Remington 750 model is a self-loading carbine that operates on the principle of partial exhaust of powder gases from the barrel channel. The carbine went on sale in 2006.
The gun has a 470 mm long barrel for various calibers. The receiver is made from a single piece and has a non-removable semicircular cover. Under the barrel there is a gas mechanism coated with Teflon. The trigger mechanism of the gun is not adjustable; to fire a shot, you need to pull the trigger with a pressure of 2.3 kilograms. The gun has a push-button safety, located behind the trigger guard. If the weapon is in firing position, the button glows red.
The gun's magazine is double-row, box-shaped, made of sheet metal. It is removable and has a capacity of 4+1 rounds. There is a slider on the left side of the magazine that lowers the safety. It helps release the shutter from the delay. By the way it is located, you can understand how many rounds are in the magazine.
The weapon is available in two versions: Woodsmaster, in which the stock and fore-end are made of wood (American walnut), and Synthetic, in which the stock and fore-end are made of plastic. The carbine is widely used - it is used to hunt both birds and large prey.
Winchester Model
The famous US company Winchester, whose guns are popular all over the world, eventually ceased to exist due to price competition. But in 2015, a new brand of bolt guns, the Winchester XPR Vulcan series, was launched. Connoisseurs value weapons for their futuristic appearance, excellent ergonomics and good price. It is convenient to use for quick shooting from medium distances.
The weapon is manufactured by Browning International SA. The barrel of the gun can have a length of 470 or 530 millimeters. The barrel box is made of light alloy. The carbine mechanism operates on the principle of partial removal of powder gases from the barrel channel. The gun has a special gas vent function. The barrel is locked using a longitudinally sliding rotary bolt with seven lugs.
The weapon is equipped with sighting mechanisms: there is a Battue-type sighting bar and a front sight, which is adjustable in height and horizontally. There are 4 holes on top of the receiver designed for attaching optics.
The carbine has a box magazine with a capacity of 2, 3 or 4 bullets. To block the firing mechanism, a transverse fuse is used. The button that turns on the safety is located behind the trigger. The stock and fore-end are made of high-quality walnut wood.
Winchester Model 70
This incredibly popular rifle has gained fame all over the world, although it was produced in America back in 1936. Although it is still unclear exactly why, apart from its ancient appearance, hunters loved it so much.
The Winchester has excellent balance, so despite its heavy weight, it is perfect for hunting for an owner of almost any size. The carbine also has fairly high accuracy at long distances combined with low recoil.
Today there are a huge number of modifications of this model, but most firearms lovers give their preference to the classic version with a wooden stock and an installed optical sight. The bipod also looks good with the kit.
Shooting can be done with a variety of cartridges, but most professionals prefer to use the 223 Rem. The lethal power of the weapon is quite enough to kill a wolf or even an adult bear, provided that there is an accurate shot to the head.
The best Russian-made weapons
In Russia they make carbines of good quality at a reasonable price.
"Boar"
The carbines of this series are smooth-bore and rifled. Designed for hunting medium and large animals. The weapon was developed in 1995, based on the Kalashnikov light machine gun.
The carbine is reloaded using a gas exhaust system. The weapon has an ergonomic, comfortable design; it is easy to handle for women and even teenagers who engage in shooting for sporting purposes. The carbine reloads automatically, it has an orthopedic stock and a long fore-end. The gun can be fired accurately at a distance of up to 350 meters. It’s easy to install optics, the weapon can be easily tuned, improving aiming performance and shot range.
When creating the barrel, cold forging technology is used; the weapon works reliably at both low and extremely high temperatures. The gun is equipped with a chrome-plated chamber. The outside of the carabiner is nickel-plated, which protects it from corrosion.
The disadvantages of the model include its high weight. The weight of the gun is felt during long journeys. It has an inconvenient safety lever. But the price is reasonable, and the reliability of the gun is excellent, which compensates for the shortcomings.
The weapon is convenient to use both for hunting and for training shooting. Suitable for both experienced hunters and beginners.
Simonov self-loading carbine (SKS)
The carbine became legendary during the Great Patriotic War and was used in military parades. With its help, game birds, hares, moose, wild boars and even “clubfooted” animals are caught. It has a reliable design and is easy to operate. The carbine hits accurately, and its bullets are inexpensive. The disadvantages include an unrespectable appearance.
The gun was designed during the USSR by S. G. Simonov. The basis for rifled weapons was Simonov's self-loading carbines. The chrome-plated barrel is made of a metal alloy to which refractory metals are added. Length – 520 millimeters. The more famous gun is chambered for 7.62x39 millimeters.
The weapon is reloaded by venting gases from the barrel. The piston is connected to the bolt using a spring-loaded pusher. The channel is locked by lifting the rear of the bolt.
The hammer firing mechanism is designed for single-shot firing only; it has a coiled mainspring. There is a safety on the back of the trigger. The carbine has an open sight, consisting of a front sight and a rear sight. You can adjust the distance at which you aim. The weapon is equipped with a non-removable box magazine that holds 10 bullets.
The shells are staggered and there are clips for quick loading of the magazine. The stock of the SKS is made of birch. The wooden parts of the weapon are stained and varnished to prolong the life of the weapon.
"Saiga"
The Saiga series has a wide selection of weapons. Various modifications differ in barrel length, butt types, and different configurations. Hunters talk about the stylish appearance and low recoil when fired. At the same time, the gun has insufficient shooting accuracy.
Smooth-bore and rifled carbines are designed on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The weapon is equipped with a smooth barrel for bullets of 12, 20 and 410 calibers or a rifled barrel. In modifications, the barrel length can be from 330 to 680 millimeters. The brand's carbines have chrome-plated barrels and chambers. Gases are removed from the barrel by venting. The automatic operation of the carbine is very reliable and works normally even when the weapon is highly contaminated.
Shooting can only be done with single shots. The carbine has a removable box magazine, the capacity is 2-10 shells. Many modifications of the carbine have an open sight: a front sight with a rear sight and a mount for optics and red dot sights.
Buttstocks and fore-ends can be made of various materials: plywood, plastic, wood, metal and have a variety of designs.
"Tiger"
The carbine was designed in 1969 on the basis of the Dragunov rifle, which was adapted for civilian use. In 1992, the weapon went into mass production. Dimensions, weight and length of the weapon depend on the specific model. The gun is powerful and is used for hunting medium and large-sized animals. Can shoot well. The carabiner weighs little, so it is comfortable to carry.
The design of the gun is reliable and unpretentious. Most models are massive and not comfortable to shoot offhand. But with it you can hunt from a storage shed and ambush ungulates.
The chrome-plated barrel is protected from corrosion. The receiver is durable and wear-resistant due to its manufacturing by milling. The gun is equipped with a two-row magazine for 5 bullets, a sight in the form of a rear sight and a front sight. There are also 2 rails for installing optics, thanks to which you can target an animal at a distance of up to 800 meters.
"Golden eagle"
Designed specifically for hunting large and medium-sized animals. Powerful gun. Stored disassembled and easily transported. It has a spacious magazine and a large caliber of shells. You can make an optical sight, install a wooden or frame stock, as well as a recoil absorber.
Accuracy over long distances (400 m) leaves much to be desired, so it is not worth shooting from afar. This is more of a gun for beginners. The barrel is chrome plated and does not rust, so minimal maintenance is required.
"Bars-4"
Continuing to review domestic weapon models, one cannot help but mention the Bars hunting carbine. Unlike the two previous options, this rifle is designed for hunting small fur-bearing animals or birds. Although one cannot fail to note its reliability and unpretentiousness to the conditions of use (temperature range is from -50°C to +50°C).
This carbine was chambered for 5.6 x 39 mm cartridges. It has a fairly convenient trigger mechanism that allows the hunter to adjust the stroke of the trigger, the nature of the descent and the effort that must be applied to shoot. It comes with three-fold optics, but shooting through an open sight is also possible.
The weight of the weapon is only 3 kilograms with a barrel length of more than 1000 millimeters. For ease of use during hunting, the weapon was equipped with a magazine for five rounds, as well as a wooden butt made of hazel. In general, if you want to hunt ducks from the approach or hunt a hare, then you simply cannot find a better option.
Rules for choosing carbines
You should choose a carbine based on personal hunting experience, external characteristics of the weapon, desire and possibilities for upgrading the gun in the future. Consider the technical characteristics of the firearm necessary for hunting in specific conditions. Take into account the climatic conditions of the region.
Therefore, before purchasing a gun, find out what characteristics are needed for a particular type of hunting. Is it possible to purchase and install additional parts, change the barrel and carry out other upgrades to the device?
Hunting rifles and their calibers
All carbines are strictly divided according to their calibers. In this case, the smaller the barrel caliber, the lower the price of the weapon itself. However, the price comes at a price, but when choosing a carbine, you must first of all proceed from the size of game the hunter intends to hunt. So, the calibers:
- Carbine chambered for 5.6x39 caliber. Cartridges of this caliber are usually used to hunt all kinds of small animals. This is what is called a gentle cartridge. With a skillful shot with such a charge, the animal’s skin remains unspoiled;
- Carbine chambered for 7.62x39 caliber. Such charges are fired from the Saiga carbine and similar models. Charges of this caliber are inexpensive, and they can be used to shoot medium-sized game (wolf, wild boar, roe deer). However, these cartridges have little stopping power;
- Carbine chambered for 5.6x45 caliber cartridges. This is a relatively small caliber, and with such charges you can catch fur and feathered game;
- Carbine chambered for 7.62x51 caliber cartridges. A very impressive and serious caliber. Such charges can hit large game from long distances;
- Carbine chambered for 30-06-m cartridges. This is the largest caliber. Charges of such calibers are used to hunt the largest game: bears, moose, large wild boars. The weight of a bullet in cartridges of this caliber is about 14 grams. You can find a lot of versions of weapons adapted to fire charges of similar calibers. However, it should be borne in mind that such cartridges are quite expensive.
There are also small-caliber carbines that fire charges smaller than 5.6x39. This is a specific caliber: it is used only for sporting purposes and for commercial hunting.
