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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

To the long-bow the cross-bow was the express rifle.

From Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies by Jefferies, Richard

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

From Haviland's Chum by Mitford, Bertram

A lion coughed and he went into his tent to reappear with an express rifle.

From Son of Tarzan by Burroughs, Edgar Rice