The 5 Types of Rifle Actions

Break-Action opens on a hinge at the rear of the barrel for loading/unloading

Usually used for hunting or target shooting

Pros: Simple to use, basic design makes field-stripping and cleaning very easy

Cons: Single-shot only, slow to reload for a follow-up shot

Bolt-Action handle is rotated up, pulled back, pushed forward, ejecting empty shell casing and loading next round

Usually used for hunting, target shooting, and by military snipers

Pros: Very accurate, optimal for long-range shooting, follow-up shots are quick with practice, simple to field-strip and clean

Cons:  Low capacity, bolt can be difficult for beginners to maneuver without taking eyes off the target, slower follow-up shots than some other designs

Pump-Action are most commonly 22’s but can sometimes be found in larger calibers (very common design for shotguns)

Pump is pulled back and pushed forward after every shot, ejecting empty shell and loading the next round

Usually used for hunting

Pros: Quick follow-up shots, easy operation as design is the same as common shotguns

Cons: Takes some practice getting used to, reliance on quick follow-up shots may lead to overconfidence and shooters taking less time to properly line up a shot

Lever-Action is first design of a repeating rifle

Lever is pushed forward and pulled back after every shot, ejecting empty shell and loading the next round

Found in calibers from .22LR and up

Usually used for hunting and competitive Cowboy Action shooting

Pros: Available in a wide variety of calibers, quick follow-up shots

Cons: More complex than many other types of rifles making disassembly difficult, effectively working the lever and staying on target takes practice, prone to failure after high-volume shooting

Semi-Automatic is most modern rifle design

Recoil and/or gases eject the empty cartridge and load another with each pull of the trigger

(Note: Step 2 above shows “half-bullet” to indicate this can also be a live round manually ejected)

Usually uses detachable magazines, sometimes tube magazines, some older models like M1 Garand used fixed internal magazine

Used for hunting, target shooting, and tactical applications

Pros: Very rapid follow-up shots, quick and easy reloading with detachable magazines

Cons: More chance of malfunction or jamming, some are very complex and difficult to disassemble, reliance on several quick follow-up shots may lead to overconfidence and shooters taking less time to properly line up a shot