American Sporting Rifles

The American sporting rifle is a term that is always evolving and changing, much as firearms have evolved and changed. Initially, American sporting rifles were rifles that lacked traditional military features.

Sporting rifles did not have bayonets or bayonet lugs, heavy wooden handguards, or accessories like heat shields or steel butt pads. They were traditionally used for hunting and competition shooting. American sporting rifles now range from the classic Winchester 1892 rifles to weapons like the AR-15, which is considered a modern sporting rifle.

American sporting rifles are reputed for their simple nature, reliability, and overall high quality. American sporting rifles range in caliber from diminutive rimfire rounds to .30 caliber and beyond. American sporting rifles like the Remington 700 can be found in deer blinds, and modern rifles like the AR-15 are incredibly popular in action sport shooting including 3-gun competitions. The American sporting rifle is one that will continue to be popular and evolve as time passes.

Quick Facts

• Modern sporting rifles like the AR-15 are used for action-shooting sports, slow-fire bullseye, and even hunting
• Many American sporting rifles are derived from advancements in military arms. These rifles are often known as sporters or rifles that have been sporterized
• American sporting rifles including the Remington 700 and Winchester Model 70 have been converted into American military rifles