What is a "high-powered rifle"

[FourT6and2]

I see this phrase in the media a lot. And from most, if not all, of my lib friends on social media. What is a high-powered or high-power rifle? And what differentiates a high-powered rifle from a low-powered rifle or a normal-powered rifle?

Usually, it's in reference to AR15 rifles that shoot the .223/5.56 cartridge. So if a .223 is "high powered," what is a 308? Or a 300WM? Or a 338 Lapua? Or a 6BR? Or 6.5 Creedmoor?

[riderr]

All centerfire semi-auto and "military-style" bolt.

[elx144]

It's a type of shooting competition.

[FourT6and2]

All centerfire semi-auto and "military-style" bolt.

So all center-fire rifles are "high-powered" rifles?

What is a "military-style" bolt"

[Fjold]

Mauser, Arisaka, Mosin-Nagant, 1903, Enfield, etc.

[Merc1138]

.223 rifles are "high powered".

Your typical .30-06 bolt action hunting rifle is fine. Paint that rifle and put exposed turrets on the scope and now it's "military-style".

[heidad01]

Usually anything shooting a magnum load or over .22 rimfire caliber, depending on who you talk to. It is a relative term.
News media could not tell the difference if they were looking at it in person. Can not differentiate due to ignorance.

[FourT6and2]

Obviously this is a loaded question that I'm asking. My point is anti-gunners always attach a pejorative phrase to guns in an attempt to make a negative distinction between that gun—which they wish to ban—and "other" guns they think are somehow "more safe" for the public to own.

But when I ask these people a simple question in an attempt to qualify their turn of phrase, they can't ever seem to give a real definition. They say things like, "Nobody should own high-powered rifles..." Ok, well then... what is a "high powered" rifle? How is it different from a "low-powered rifle?" And why are "low-powered rifles" ok for me to own but not a "high-powered" rifle? They always draw a blank.

So... if a .223/5.56 AR15 is a "high-powered" rifle, what does that make a bolt-action rifle chambered in 338 Lapua?

[Milsurp Collector]

There is not an official definition, but it is generally used to describe all centerfire rifle cartridges.

Rimfire rifle cartridges and pistol cartridges (.44 magnum) fired from a rifle are not considered high power.

[FourT6and2]

There is not an official definition, but it is generally used to describe all centerfire rifle cartridges.

Rimfire rifle cartridges and pistol cartridges (.44 magnum) fired from a rifle are not considered high power.

So when someone says "nobody should own a high-powered rifle," they are literally saying nobody should own a center-fire rifle... only .22 Cal rimfire rifles are should be allowed?

[beretta929mm]

If it hurts your shoulder then you call it high powered

[Noble Cause]

Oh, that's Good.

I shall be using this in future debates....

Thx, FourT6and2 !


Noble

[highpower790]

As a "highpower" competitior its .223-.375,but seriously,its anything bigger than a empty bic pen used a spitwad shooter.

[stix213]

For gun people it would be a rifle chambered in something higher than at least .308. For the media it means the same as Assault Rifle, Assault Weapon, Shoulder Thing That Goes Up, Military Style Rifle, etc.

[riderr]

So all center-fire rifles are "high-powered" rifles?

That's what they call it in the media.

What is a "military-style" bolt"

Anything that looks scary to a reporter. Any rifle looking different from a classic hunting one.