The best rifles in Hunt: Showdown 1896

Summary

• Rifles in Hunt: Showdown 1896 have improved range, spread accuracy, and headshot feasibility after the recent update.
• Not all rifles are the same, some like the Terminus 1887 have long reload times, making them vulnerable in critical moments.
• The Rival 78 stands out for its balance, double-barrel design, fast reload speed and high damage, making it a reliable choice.

In Hunting: Showdown 1896shotguns were among the most satisfying, if not the most versatile, weapons in the game. They primarily excel in close-quarters combat, offering devastating power at close range – a real treat for attackers. However, with the recent 2.0 update and engine update, which introduced projectile ballistics and improved pellet ammunition, their effectiveness has improved in terms of range, spread accuracy and headshot viability, despite the further challenge of falling bullets.

These changes have improved the versatility of shotguns, making them more powerful companions across a wider range of scenarios a hunter can face in this PvPvE shooter, particularly in terms of PvP combat. However, not all rifles are created equal. With the many options and variations available, it can be difficult for a rifle to stand out and earn a coveted place in the loadout. Here's a look at the best rifles in Hunting: Showdown 1896Classified.

6 Terminus

Long reloads can leave hunters as prey

The Terminus 1887 is a lever action rifle that offers a high ammo capacity and deals a respectable amount of damage. While it may not deal as much damage as the other options on this list, its seven-round magazine allows for sustained firepower, making it suitable for prolonged battles against multiple opponents. However, it suffers from an exceptionally long cooldown, which can leave players vulnerable at critical moments when a cooldown is needed.

Luckily, being a lever action rifle, it benefits greatly from the Levering feature, which is often essential to its effective use. Playing without leverage makes it difficult to use and somewhat cumbersome; for this reason it is generally not considered a useful choice, especially for new players.

5 Slate

A close combat specialist

The Slate is a shotgun renowned for its high damage and impressive rate of fire, balanced by impressive bullet spread. It is the faster of the two shotguns included Hunting: Showdown 1896with a rate of fire of 23 rounds per minute. Inside the buildings the true potential of Slate is realized; its rapid rate of fire makes it ideal for eliminating enemy squads at close range, providing a significant advantage in the confines of a boss' lair, unless opponents are also armed with the same weapon.

For players who like to hunt alone or prefer rifles capable of rapid fire while maintaining a true pump action feel, the Slate stands out as the best choice. Its limited scope, however, requires thoughtful engagement strategies, making it essential to consider the game's many expansive environments.

4 Spectrum 1882

Shotgun that requires good aim

The Specter 1882 joins the Slate in the shotgun category. This long-barreled rifle features very low bullet spread, making it extremely accurate at an effective distance of 14 meters, especially when paired with projectiles. The disadvantages of this rifle mainly arise from its partial reloading mechanism, which ejects a bullet without completely emptying the magazine and wasting ammunition. This makes the Bulletgrubber trait a somewhat inconvenient necessity. Furthermore, with an extremely limited rate of fire of 20 rounds per minute, it requires patience and precision, turning every shot into a high-risk gamble; it's certainly not an ideal choice for newcomers to the shooter genre.

When used in the bayonet variant, performance drops significantly, leading to reduced damage, slower handling, and a noticeable increase in projectile spread. This change is rarely useful; opting for the basic pistol is generally better.

3 Romero 77

Long-term budget solution

The Romero 77, assigned to tier one, is the game's ultimate rifle, known for its devastating long-range power. Unfortunately, as a single-barreled, breech-loading weapon, it requires precision; each missed shot can be punishing and frequent reloading is required. Despite this drawback, its remarkable single-shot power and long-range capabilities, bolstered by its 450 m/s muzzle velocity and low load cost, make it a favorite, especially for budget builds, beginner loads at start of the game and players with a keen eye.

The Talon variant comes with a standard blade fitted, which increases recoil and reduces muzzle velocity, providing minimal advantage as well as allowing melee attacks if unsuccessful. In contrast, the Alamo variant, equipped with a magazine and magazine, improves usability by allowing successive shots, albeit at a slower speed. For optimal performance, the Alamo variant is the preferred choice.

2 Rival 78

Two-shot break-action rifle that packs a punch

The Rival 78 stands out as one of the most balanced rifles in the game, featuring a powerful double-barrel design with a break-action that deals high damage and packs a punch in close-quarters combat. With a single-shot effective range of up to 13 meters when using the projectile, it is highly lethal in medium-range engagements. What really sets this rifle apart is its ability to fire two shots in quick succession before reloading. It is often possible to get kills before the enemy can react, and even if the first shot fails, the second can still get the desired result.

Combined with its respectable range, quick reload speed, and cost-effectiveness as one of the most affordable rifles in a load, the Rival 78 is a reliable choice and a terrific option for novice and experienced hunters.

1 Car-5

Highly versatile rapid-fire semi-automatic

The Auto-5, also known as the Crown & King, is a popular rifle recognized for its effectiveness and versatility, even an excellent choice in the best builds before the 2.0 update. This long-barreled semi-automatic rifle features a 5-round magazine with an incredible rate of fire of 24 rounds per minute. When strategically placed at medium range and with precise shot placement, it can quickly eliminate teams with multiple targets in sight. Being a long-barreled rifle, the Auto-5 also excels at long-range shooting; when equipped with projectiles, it transforms into a highly effective improvised rifle, exceeding the range of the Romero and outclassing many traditional rifles, particularly within a 30 meter drop radius.

Ultimately, this rifle forces opposing players to actively engage, justifying its high price of $600 and the significant amount of ammo required – it is advisable to carry a box of ammo with you when using this rifle. It's safe to say that the Auto-5 can perform functions that no other rifle can, demonstrating versatility at both close range and long range, thus securing its position at the top of this list.