The choice of carbine depends on the hunter’s experience, his aesthetic preferences, desire and possibilities for upgrading the basic version and technical characteristics that will be required for a particular type of hunting. To choose a rifle for hunting in Russia, you also need to take into account weather conditions. This rating of hunting rifles is based on reviews from hunter-owners.
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.
Small caliber
These hunting rifles are designed for 5.6 mm caliber. Firing accuracy largely depends on the quality of the selected cartridges. They, albeit somewhat indirectly, still influence flatness and pickup. So it’s not worth buying outright cheap products, as well as low-quality products.
Small-caliber carbines for hunting have shown themselves to be excellent in hunting small animals and game: foxes, ducks, raccoons, hares, etc. The prices for weapons of this class are lower than for large-caliber models.
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.
Self-loading
Self-loading carbines are most often used to drive animals, when it is necessary to fire several shots in a short period of time. Such weapons can be seen in the hands of professional hunters and those for whom hunting game is not just a hobby, but also a way of earning money or survival.
The number of cartridges in the magazine can vary, from five to ten pieces, sometimes more. It all depends on how exactly the rifled weapon is designed. Recharging occurs completely automatically without any additional manipulations.
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.
"Boar"
This carbine is considered one of the best in its segment. This smooth-bore semi-automatic machine is widely used not only for hunting game and animals, but also as a service weapon for protecting objects and for self-defense purposes.
The basis of the “Vepr” was the Kalashnikov light machine gun. On sale you can find a lot of modifications of this weapon, which differ not only in different calibers, but also in design, as well as ergonomic additions.
The Vepr has many significant advantages over other hunting rifles. Among all others, we can note high-quality assembly and well-thought-out mechanisms. The bore and chamber surface are coated with a particularly durable alloy, which significantly increases the performance of the carbine. The trigger type of mechanism makes it easy to calculate the shot and subsequent return of the trigger spring. All other shortcomings cannot be called critical.
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?
Rifle
This is a rifled firearm equipped with a butt for support during shooting. The first models appeared in the 19th century and became a replacement for musket guns. The latter weighed a fair amount, took a long time to reload and were characterized by inaccurate shooting.
The impetus for the development of the screw was the First and Second World Wars. Today they are widely used for game hunting and are sold in almost any specialized store. To purchase a rifle for hunting, you must have permission to store it.
"Sable"
The carbine is designed for firing small caliber cartridges. The model was developed by the designers of the Izhevsk Machine Plant based on the BI-7 sports biathlon rifle. “Sable” showed excellent performance in hunting small game: marmots, sables, squirrels, hares, etc.
Simple and easy to maintain, the carbine is enviably popular among fans of small-caliber weapons. The fly in the ointment here is frequent marriage. From batch to batch, there are instances where the cartridge case is difficult to remove, and the bullets themselves fly like a fan.
"Saiga"
This is one of the best rifled hunting rifles for professional fishing. The Saiga was built on the basis of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle, and its features are immediately recognizable upon first acquaintance. There are also a lot of modifications here, so there is plenty to choose from.
The carbine was distinguished by its simple and at the same time reliable design without any unnecessary frills. Yes, simplification did not benefit the returns, and they are quite solid here. But the simplicity of the mechanisms allows you to roll the Saiga in the mud as much as you like, and it will still work flawlessly.
The carbine has quite a significant weight, so it is not the best option for winter hunting. In addition, some owners complain about poor shooting accuracy, which also needs to be taken into account when purchasing a Saiga.
TOZ-78
This is a small-caliber carbine for hunting small game and small fur-bearing animals: fox, hare, sable, squirrel, etc. The models are available in several modifications, including export and souvenir versions. The latter come with carvings on the muzzle, inlay with precious metals, chasing, etc.
The brainchild of the Tula Arms Factory, despite the caliber, is quite heavy. But this drawback is more than compensated by the excellent performance of the product - durability, reliability and accuracy.
The bolt mechanism of the carbine has a mechanical safety lock, which eliminates accidental shots. The trigger itself is adjustable within a fairly wide range, which allows you to customize the weapon to suit you. I was also pleased with the local optics with a four-fold zoom at 25, 50, 75 and 100 meters. It is also worth noting that the manufacturer guarantees 15,000 shots without any additional maintenance.
As a disadvantage, the owners note the ill-conceived mounting of the store. The latter is not recorded very reliably in the state. If pressed accidentally, it can easily slip out of the socket. In addition, many hunters complained about the somewhat angular and extremely simple design of the model. This does not apply to souvenir and piece versions.
