15 Most Powerful Rifles in Movies

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A large, powerful rifle immediately adds tension to any movie scene. Whether it’s a long-distance shot or a dangerous standoff, filmmakers frequently choose high-powered, accurate rifles to create that impact. These often include real-world guns that fire powerful cartridges like .50 BMG or .338 Lapua Magnum, picked not only for their appearance but also for the impressive capabilities they’re known for.

Here’s a detailed look at fifteen impressive rifles featured in movies. For each one, we’ve included its technical details – like caliber and how it operates – and specific examples of how it’s shown on screen, with links to verify the information.

‘The Hurt Locker’ (2008) — Barrett M82A1M/M107

The Barrett M82 and M107 are powerful, semi-automatic rifles often used by the military. They typically fire .50 BMG ammunition and can hold 10 rounds. These rifles feature a muzzle brake to reduce recoil and a long rail on top for attaching scopes and other optics. The M107 is the official military designation for this widely used weapon.

During the desert standoff against snipers, the team – including contractors and bomb disposal experts – used an M82A1M/M107 rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has photos and details about the specific version of the rifle seen in that scene.

‘Shooter’ (2007) — CheyTac M200 Intervention

As a serious film buff, I’ve always appreciated a good tool, and the CheyTac M200 Intervention is definitely that. It’s a bolt-action rifle built for incredible accuracy, and it’s designed around some really powerful ammunition – specifically, the .408 and .375 CheyTac cartridges. It has a long, beautifully crafted barrel with fluting, and everything about it is geared towards extreme long-range shooting. It’s a piece of engineering, honestly.

The movie prominently features Bob Lee Swagger using a M200 rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) provides details about the rifle as it appears in the film, allowing viewers to compare the on-screen version to the actual weapon.

‘American Sniper’ (2014) — McMillan TAC-338A

The McMillan TAC-338A is a powerful, long-range rifle that uses .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition. It’s a bolt-action model designed for accuracy, featuring a thick barrel, a removable magazine, and the ability to attach night vision optics.

On the Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB), Chris Kyle is shown using a TAC-338A rifle with a Leupold Mark 4 scope and a Harris bipod. Several scenes in the film clearly show this specific model and its attachments.

‘District 9’ (2009) — Mechem/Denel NTW-20

The South African NTW-20 is a powerful, versatile rifle that can fire different large-caliber rounds – specifically 20x82mm, 14.5x114mm, and 20x110mm. It’s designed to reduce the strong kickback from these powerful rounds, and some versions can hold three shots at a time.

In the movie’s final battle, mercenaries use the NTW-20 rifle. According to the Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB), this marks the first time the rifle has appeared in a film, and they’ve included photos to confirm it.

‘The Living Daylights’ (1987) — Walther WA 2000

The Walther WA 2000 is a unique and uncommon German rifle, designed for accuracy and compactness. It’s a semi-automatic bullpup, often chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, and was originally developed after the 1972 Munich Olympics to provide a precise weapon for close-quarters hostage rescue operations.

In the opening scene featuring a sniper, James Bond uses a WA 2000 rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has detailed information about this weapon – including photos – showing exactly which rifle and scope were used in the film.

‘Mechanic: Resurrection’ (2016) — Accuracy International AWM

The Accuracy International AWM is a powerful sniper rifle, part of the AW series, and usually chambered in either .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum. It’s known for being incredibly durable, featuring a strong frame, a precisely made barrel, and dependable performance in tough conditions.

According to the Internet Movie Firearms Database, the film features an AWM-F rifle used for distant shots. These scenes highlight the rifle’s collapsible stock, bipod, and scope – details that match how it’s typically used in real life.

‘6 Underground’ (2019) — Accuracy International AXMC

The AXMC is an advanced AI sniper rifle, building on the popular AWM/AX series. It allows users to quickly change barrels and bolts to accommodate different large-caliber ammunition. Key features include a one-piece fore-end, a fast barrel-swapping system, and a foldable stock.

During the Hong Kong scenes, the team’s sniper uses a silenced AXMC rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has photos and descriptions that identify the specific model and its setup.

‘Miami Vice’ (2006) — Barrett M82

The Barrett M82 is a powerful, long-range rifle developed in the 1980s. It’s designed to disable equipment and uses a standard 10-round magazine. It operates using a short-recoil system and includes a large brake to reduce recoil.

The movie features M82 rifles in two significant action scenes. According to the Internet Movie Firearms Database, the bullet holes shown inside the cars were actually made using real .50 BMG bullets, as confirmed by the director.

‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ (2010) — Steyr HS .50

The Steyr HS .50 is a powerful, single-shot rifle made in Austria. It fires the large .50 BMG cartridge (some versions also use the .460 Steyr). It features a long, heavy barrel and a device to reduce recoil. A later model, the HS .50-M1, can hold five rounds in a magazine.

In the beginning of the film, a sniper associated with the Umbrella Corporation uses a .50 caliber HS rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has detailed photos and identifies the exact model used in that scene.

‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ (2017) — Barrett M98B

The Barrett M98B is a .338 Lapua Magnum rifle built on a bolt-action chassis, and it pioneered several features now common in the MRAD rifle, such as its modular design, ability to use detachable magazines, and straight-line stock.

The movie features Adele Wolff using a silenced M98B rifle. Although the prop gun is shown firing like a semi-automatic weapon, photos confirm it’s actually a bolt-action rifle.

‘Sniper: Ultimate Kill’ (2017) — Anzio AIC Mag-Fed 20 mm

The Anzio Ironworks 20 mm rifle is a powerful, long-range weapon designed for large-caliber ammunition like 20×102 mm. Unlike most .50-caliber rifles, it uses a 3-round magazine and is significantly heavier.

According to the Internet Movie Firearms Database, the villain’s rifle in the final fight is an AIC Mag-Fed 20mm. Experts identified it by specific details like the grooves on the barrel, the shape of the bipod attachment, and the long rail on top – all features consistent with the manufacturer’s design.

‘The Gunman’ (2015) — DSR-Precision DSR-1

The DSR-1 is a highly accurate, German-made bullpup rifle available in powerful calibers like 7.62x51mm NATO and .338 Lapua Magnum. It features a built-in bipod at the front, a rear monopod, and a convenient storage space for an extra magazine located behind the pistol grip.

Okay, so in the Barcelona shootout, the sniper uses a really distinctive rifle – a DSR-1. I checked out the Internet Movie Firearms Database, and they have some great stills from the scene. You can clearly see it’s a bullpup design, meaning it’s super compact, and the rifle’s overall look is just…unique. It definitely stands out.

‘Without Remorse’ (2021) — Barrett M95

The Barrett M95 is a powerful, large-caliber rifle designed for long-range accuracy. It fires .50 BMG ammunition and features a unique bullpup design, making it relatively compact—only 45 inches long—despite its 29-inch barrel. It holds 5 rounds in its magazine and delivers the performance of a .50 caliber weapon in a shorter package.

In Murmansk, a sniper uses an M95 rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has identified the weapon through screenshots and notes, highlighting its differences from standard .50-caliber rifles.

‘Wolf Warrior’ (2015) — Barrett M99

The Barrett M99 is a highly accurate, single-shot .50-caliber rifle designed for precision. It features a heavy, 32-inch barrel and a simple loading mechanism.

During a rescue scene, the villain uses an M99 rifle. The Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) has photos and details showing the rifle as it appears in the movie.

‘Phone Booth’ (2002) — Accuracy International Arctic Warfare

Accuracy International’s Arctic Warfare rifles are known for their dependable performance in tough environments. These bolt-action precision rifles feature free-floating barrels, adjustable stocks, and are available in calibers like .308 Winchester.

To create a false narrative and control the hostage situation, the villain hides an Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle – as identified by the Internet Movie Firearms Database – in a nearby apartment, intending to make it look like someone else is responsible.

Share your picks in the comments—what powerful movie rifle would you add to this list?

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2025-10-06 04:16