These are 9 of the best military rifles around the world

• Rifles have a long and illustrious history.
• A lot isn't known about how rifles came to be, but since they were first used, they have taken over the battlefield.
• But which ones today are considered the best in the world?

For people interested in military technology, the rifle is one of the most important pieces of technology ever made. But which, if any, are considered the best of the best? Let's take a look.

What is considered a rifle?

This list will be based on the basic definition of a rifle, which is as follows:

"A gun, especially one fired from shoulder level, having a long spirally grooved barrel intended to make a bullet spin and thereby have greater accuracy over a long distance."

Other sources expand on this by defining a rifle as a portable long-range precision shooting firearm usually held with both nads and braced against the shoulder when firing. A rifle's barrel will usually be rifled (hence the name), which consists of a spiral pattern of grooves cut into the barrel bore walls. 

For this article, the following firearms will fit these definitions. In this sense, we will include any kind of rifle inclusive, but not limited to, assault rifles and rifle-barreled carbines.

Please note that this is not a definitive list of the 9 best rifles ever; it's just a collection of some of the most notable ones. It is also in no particular order. 

1. You do not want to be in the Accuracy International AS50's sights

• Design company and country of origin: Accuracy International - The United Kingdom
• When was it first used?: 2007

What makes this rifle one of the best?: The AS50 is considered one of the world's best sniper/anti-materiel rifles.

The AS50 is a massively powerful .50 BMG sniper and anti-materiel rifle. It enables snipers to engage targets at a very long-range (effective range of 1.5 km) and fire an impressive 5 rounds every 1.6 seconds.

It has a long range, and the rifle is incredibly accurate. It can deliver pinpoint accuracy using explosive and incendiary ammunition if required.

The sniper rifle was specifically designed for use by the British Armed Forces and American Navy Seals and used a gas-operated action. Not only is it deadly accurate, but it is also known for being light and easy to assemble in less than 3 minutes.

This firearm is considered highly effective against enemy combatants and military equipment.

2. The SA80 is one of the most reliable military rifles in the world

• Design company and country of origin: Royal Small Arms Factory -  United Kingdom
• When was it first used?: 1985

What makes this rifle one of the best?: The SA80 is almost universally liked by its regular users and is considered one of the most reliable rifles in the world.

The SA80 is the standard-issued rifle for the British Armed Forces. It was first fielded in the 1980s and replaced the L1A1 variant of the FN FAL. 

It is an example of a bullpup-configuration weapon with its action and magazine positioned behind the trigger, allowing the weapon's overall length to be decreased without reducing the barrel length. This setup makes the gun relatively compact and easier to wield and use in combat zones like urban environments.

It fires a 5.56 mm round and can use the same magazine as the American M4. While early models had some issues, modern variants (upgraded by Heckler and Koch) have made it one of the most reliable firearms ever built.

It is widely loved by those who use it regularly.

3. The AK-74 replaced the AKM

• Design company and country of origin: Kalashnikov - Soviet Union
• When was it first used?: 1974

What makes this rifle one of the best?: The AK-74 replaced the AKM, itself a version of the AK-47

The AK-74 is the standard-issue rifle of the Russian Ground Forces. It was made by Kalashnikov, who also made the famous AK-47 assault rifle in the late 1970s.

The AK-74 differs from its venerable predecessor because it uses smaller, lighter, 5.45 mm rounds. It saw extensively during the ill-fated Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

This rifle has a side-folding stock, a 16.3-inch barrel, and a total length of 37 inches. It has recently undergone some modifications to include a skeletonized stock, and a rail accessory mounting system, to name a few.

4. TrackingPoint Rifles could be the future of military rifles

• Design company and country of origin: TrackingPoint - USA
• When was it first used?: 2011

What makes this rifle one of the best?: These could change the world of rifles forever by making them "smart."

While not specifically a single rifle, TrackingPoint is an American company that has made the world's first precision-guided firearms (PGF). PGF is a long-range rifle system that turns rifles into "smart rifles."

This system calculates the range, tracks a target and provides a firing solution for the user. It includes a HUD that offers users information on wind direction and an automatically adjusting aiming reticle.

While they do have their firearms, the system is currently under testing by the U.S. Army. It has been installed on their XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle for evaluation.

5. The mighty M4 Carbine is a deadly rifle

• Design company and country of origin: Colt - USA
• When was it first used?: 1993

What makes this rifle one of the best?: A variant of the venerable M16A2, this rifle has largely replaced the M16 in the US Army and Marine Corps. The M4 carbine is a lighter and shorted variant of the M16A2 assault rifle. It was developed between the mid-1980s and early 1990s and was accepted by the U.S. Army in 1994.

It is shorter than the M16, called a carbine, and fires the same 5.56 mm rounds from 30-round magazines.

This carbine can be modified by attaching M203 and M320 grenade launchers. The rifle has various fire modes, from semi-automatic to three-shot bursts.

Its extensive battlefield use has led to recent upgrades in the M4A1 variant. These include thicker barrels, better triggers, ambidextrous safety controls, and full-auto fire mode.

6. The impressive Heckler and Koch 416 assault rifle

• Design company and country of origin: Heckler and Koch - Germany
• When was it first used?: 2004

What makes this rifle one of the best?: This gun has become famous as the one used to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011

Designed by the famous German weapons manufacturer Heckler and Koch, the HK 416 is widely considered one of the best rifles in the world. While it looks ostensibly similar to the American M4, it uses a short-stroke gas piston action and can fire around 900 rounds per minute.

It fires the standard NATO 5.56 mm round. This weapon is the standard issue for the Norwegian Armed Forces and has been selected to replace the FAMAS for the French Armed Forces.

7. The FAMAS assault rifle is a very popular rifle model

• Design company and country of origin: Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS) - France
• When was it first used?: 1978

What makes this rifle one of the best?: The FAMAS has a high fire rate of 1,100 rounds per minute. It is also one of the most distinctive rifles in the world. FAMAS, or Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, ("Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory") is a bullpup-styled assault rifle.

It is more popularly called "Le Clairon" (The Bugle) by the French military due to its distinctive shape, and it has been in use since 1978. Like the SA80, it has an unusual bullpup configuration and fires the NATO standard 5.56 mm round.

The FAMAS-G2 and some F1s use standard NATO Accessory Rail, which allows various sights to be mounted, including red dot sights and night vision units. Some models also feature a built-in bipod.

A G2 variant was developed in the mid-1990s, but French serviceman prefers to use the older F1 as their primary rifle. It is currently being replaced with the Heckler and Koch 416 F rifles.

8. The M16 is a classic rifle model

• Design company and country of origin: ArmaLite Inc - the USA
• When was it first used?: 1964

What makes this rifle one of the best?: The M16 is the most-produced 5.56 mm caliber rifle in the world

Otherwise known as the AR-15, this rifle was way ahead of its time when first developed. So much so that it was nicknamed the "Space Rifle" when first released. The U.S. Army was hunting for a new assault rifle in the 1950s. It needed to be lightweight and chambered for an intermediate charge.

Armalite soon answered the call, replaced some traditional steel parts with aluminum, and used fiberglass instead of wood for other rifle parts. It was ergonomically designed and had many new features for a rifle of that age.

It entered service in 1964 and was almost immediately tested in combat in the Vietnam War. A few years later, it was replaced with the M16A1 and has undergone various upgrades over the decades until its widespread replacement by the M4 in the U.S. Armed Forces.

It is still widely used, with over 8 million units made over the years. This makes it the most-produced firearm for its 5.56 mm caliber.

9. The AK-103 is an incredibly durable military rifle

• Design company and country of origin: Kalashnikov -Russia
• When was it first used?: 2001

What makes this rifle one of the best?: This is widely renowned for its stopping power and incredible reliability

Derived from the AK-74M, the AK 100 series are some of the best rifles in the world. Foremost among them is the AK-103, which offers superior penetration and stopping power thanks to its use of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition.

It has earned its name for its reliability and ability to withstand punishment in the field. While not the most accurate weapon, it will remain operational in poor environmental conditions.

Like its notable ancestor, the AK-47, it is made from common materials and doesn't require the kind of precision engineering other rifles on this list demand.

This rifle has been exported all over the world. Including its predecessors, the AK series of rifles are in service in more than 100 countries worldwide.

And that is your lot for today.

Whether you're a gun enthusiast or just interested in the latest advances in firearms technology, we hope this article has provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of modern rifles.

From the sleek design of the AS50 to SA80, these rifles represent the pinnacle of innovation and engineering. Whether you appreciate their aesthetic appeal or impressive performance capabilities, these rifles will inspire awe and admiration.