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

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

Leaning my express rifle against my body I raised both hands aloft.

From Pellucidar by Burroughs, Edgar Rice

Stopping at the camp where I had been captured I recovered my express rifle, for which I was very thankful.

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