Rifle

A rifle is a mechanical device designed to propel a projectile using contained energy. Its operation relies on the rapid, controlled combustion of a propellant charge within a confined chamber, which generates high-pressure gases. These gases drive a system to breach the seal and force the projectile down a bore. The defining characteristic of many rifles is the internal rifling—spiraled grooves cut into the bore—which imparts a rotational spin upon the projectile. This gyroscopic stability is crucial for maintaining accuracy and trajectory over distance, allowing the projectile to follow a predictable ballistic curve through the atmosphere until its energy is expended.