Rifled weapons appeared after smooth-bore weapons, when more accurate shots were required in battle. But initially the production of rifles was very expensive, and reloading took a long time. Improvement of rifled weapons took place gradually.
Types of rifled weapons
A rifled weapon is a firearm in which the bore has special screw grooves. They are necessary to give the bullet additional rotational motion. Currently, there are several types of rifled weapons. The presence of screw threads inside the barrel is typical for any military firearm. We are talking about machine guns, carbines, rifles. Also, similar cuts are present in some types of civilian weapons (combination rifles, sporting rifled guns).
The gauge is usually determined by the distance between these grooves. There are large-caliber, medium-caliber and small-caliber weapons. As ammunition, cartridges, shot or buckshot for smooth-bore weapons are usually used. Directional rotation and kinetic energy of the bullet is given by spiral notches inside the barrel. They also determine the accuracy and range of the bullet. This is what distinguishes rifles from smoothbore weapons. With the help of a rifle, you can make fairly accurate shots at a distance of 200 meters or more.
The use of rifled weapons
Before determining the scope of application of rifled weapons, it is necessary to find out what types of bullets are used for it. These are jacketed, semi-sheathed and non-sheathed bullets. By the way, rifled weapons have not been loaded with the latter for a long time. The shellless bullets were ordinary lead balls. And the most modern are considered semi-sheathed bullets, which are distinguished by increased lethality. Well, shell bullets have significant accuracy.
Today, weapons loaded with shell bullets are actively used in sports and military affairs. By the way, over time, the ammunition has become even more sophisticated. So, tracer bullets were created for silent shooting. When hunting, they usually try to take with them a rifled weapon loaded with semi-sheathed bullets. True, in our country they are more accustomed to hunting with ordinary carbines. But it should be borne in mind that the requirements for trophies have changed somewhat. Minimal damage is now required. Therefore, in Russia, the demand for rifled weapons began to grow.
The cartridges that are used for it must have controlled expansiveness, range and increased flight accuracy, as well as preserve their mass as much as possible. All-metal options now fully meet these requirements.
