<P> Formerly , rifles only fired a single projectile with each squeeze of the trigger . Modern rifles are capable of firing more than one round per trigger squeeze ; some fire in a fully automatic mode and others are limited to fixed bursts of two , three , or more rounds per squeeze . Thus , modern automatic rifles overlap to some extent in design and function with machine guns . In fact , many light machine guns ( such as the Russian RPK ) are adaptations of existing automatic rifle designs . A military 's light machine guns are typically chambered for the same caliber ammunition as its service rifles . Generally , the difference between an automatic rifle and a machine gun comes down to weight , cooling system , and ammunition feed system . Rifles , with their relatively lighter components ( which overheat quickly ) and smaller capacity magazines , are incapable of sustained automatic fire in the way that machine guns are ; they trade this capability in favor of increased mobility . Modern military rifles are fed by magazines , while machine guns are generally belt - fed . Many machine guns allow the operator to quickly exchange barrels in order to prevent overheating , whereas rifles generally do not . Most machine guns fire from an open bolt in order to reduce the danger of `` cook - off '' , while almost all rifles fire from a closed bolt for accuracy . Machine guns are often crewed by more than one soldier ; the rifle is an individual weapon . </P>
<P> Formerly , rifles only fired a single projectile with each squeeze of the trigger . Modern rifles are capable of firing more than one round per trigger squeeze ; some fire in a fully automatic mode and others are limited to fixed bursts of two , three , or more rounds per squeeze . Thus , modern automatic rifles overlap to some extent in design and function with machine guns . In fact , many light machine guns ( such as the Russian RPK ) are adaptations of existing automatic rifle designs . A military 's light machine guns are typically chambered for the same caliber ammunition as its service rifles . Generally , the difference between an automatic rifle and a machine gun comes down to weight , cooling system , and ammunition feed system . Rifles , with their relatively lighter components ( which overheat quickly ) and smaller capacity magazines , are incapable of sustained automatic fire in the way that machine guns are ; they trade this capability in favor of increased mobility . Modern military rifles are fed by magazines , while machine guns are generally belt - fed . Many machine guns allow the operator to quickly exchange barrels in order to prevent overheating , whereas rifles generally do not . Most machine guns fire from an open bolt in order to reduce the danger of `` cook - off '' , while almost all rifles fire from a closed bolt for accuracy . Machine guns are often crewed by more than one soldier ; the rifle is an individual weapon . </P>
how many rounds can a hunting rifle shoot
how many rounds can a hunting rifle shoot
two , three , or more rounds per squeeze
two , three , or more rounds per squeeze