express rifle

American  

noun

1. a rifle designed for firing at game at short range.

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express rifle British  

noun

1. a high-velocity hunting rifle for big game shooting

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Etymology

Origin of express rifle

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

express rifle

His white hunter will take him where the game is, stand by with an express rifle in case he misses.

From Time Magazine Archive

The velocity of a bullet rapidly decreases, and a ball shot from an express rifle, and driven by a heavy charge, soon begins to droop.

From The Life of the Fields by Jefferies, Richard

He was moved thereto by inspection of a Winchester express rifle, carrying a half-inch ball, backed by 110 grains of powder, that was shown to him by a hunter.

From Bears I Have Met—and Others by Kelly, Allen

At the same time I stepped from behind my boulder, drawing one of my revolvers that I might conserve the more precious ammunition of the express rifle.

From Pellucidar by Burroughs, Edgar Rice

Both are armed with a double-barrelled express rifle, revolver of heavy calibre, and sheath knife.

From Haviland's Chum by Mitford, Bertram