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BR55HB battle rifle: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|H3|UP}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon
{{Weapon infobox
|image= [[Image:BR55HB SR Battle Rifle.jpg|300px]]
|image= [[File:H3-BR55HB-ServiceRifle-LeftSide.png|350px]]
|name=BR55HB SR Battle Rifle
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 21''</ref>
|manufacturer=
|series=BR55
|model=BR55HB SR Rifle
|type=Bullpup [[battle rifle]]
|type= Designated Marksman Rifle
|cost=
|cost=
|size=Handheld, Two-Handed
|variant=
*length: 35.4 inches
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
*Weight: 8.378 lbs
|affiliation=[[UNSC]]
|damage per hit=*Medium Against Shielded Enemies
|weight=
*Low-Medium Against Flesh (Excluding Headshots)
|length={{Convert|115.8|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
*Overall Damage: Medium
|ammotype=9.5×40mm [[M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing]]
|magazine= 36 rounds
|capacity=
|maxammo= 144 Rounds or 4 Magazines
|feed=36-round magazine
|fire=*Original Concept: 3 round bursts, Semi-Automatic
|operation=[[wikipedia:Gas-operated#Short-stroke piston|Short-stroke piston]], [[wikipedia:Rotating bolt|rotating bolt]], [[wikipedia:Blowback (firearms)|locked breech]]
*[[Halo: Arms Race]]:Fully Automatic
|rate=
|ammotype= 9.5x40mm [[M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing]]/.374 Caliber rounds
|velocity=
|operation= Short-Stroke Gas-Operated Rotating-Bolt
|optics=
|rate of fire= Average, 2.4 Bursts per Second, 900 rounds per minute
|range=900 meters<ref name="BR55DMR">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 206''</ref>{{Ref/Note|Assuming the BR55HB has the same range as the XBR55.}}
|accuracy= High
|range= Medium
|era=
|counterpart=[[Covenant Carbine]]
|counterwep=*At Close Range: [[MA5C Assault Rifle]], [[Shotgun]], [[Energy Sword]]
*At Medium Range: [[Covenant Carbine]]
*At Long Range: [[Sniper Rifles]]
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
}}
The '''BR55HB SR Battle Rifle''' is an [[United Nations Space Command]] infantry firearm and a variant of the standard [[BR55 Battle Rifle]].<ref>http://www.halo3.com</ref>
The '''BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle (BR55HB SR)''', also known as the "Mammoth Stomper,"<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''UNSC Weapons'', ''pages 318 - 319'' (2011 edition)</ref> is a select-fire rifle utilized by the [[United Nations Space Command]] and manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]]. It is a heavy-barreled version of the [[BR55 battle rifle|BR55 Service Rifle]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}<ref name="Waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/dmr '''Halo Waypoint''', ''DMR'']</ref>


== Introduction ==
==Overview==
The BR55HB SR entered service in [[2548]], serving alongside the standard BR55 Service Rifle. For decades, the BR55 had steadily gained favor over the long-serving [[M392 Designated Marksman Rifle]]. The introduction of the BR55HB SR led to an immediate increase in the BR55's popularity, prompting all branches of the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces, except the [[UNSC Army|Army]], to replace the M392 with the newer weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}


The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle is a variant of the [[Halo 2]]-era BR55 Battle Rifle introduced in [[Halo 3]]. It is a good all-around [[weapon]] and is virtually identical to its predecessor in terms of performance, even though it is much more difficult to aim, and doesn't possess Halo 2's "Automatic Headlock" feature. This weapon is available in [[Halo 3]].
== Design details ==
As with the basic model, the BR55HB SR is employed as a medium-to-long range [[Wikipedia:Marksman rifle|marksman rifle]]; though its barrel is 25.9 centimeters (10.2 inches)longer than that of the BR55, the BR55HB SR performs almost identically to its predecessor.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} It fires [[M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing|M634 X-HP-SAP round]] from a 36-round magazine, which fits flush in the receiver. The magazine housing is built directly into the underside of the stock of the rifle and is located behind the grip. Though the BR55HB SR is a select-fire weapon, it is most often used in its three-round burst mode.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Despite firing a very powerful cartridge, the weapon is subject to little recoil, even when being fired automatically.<ref>'''Halo: Last One Standing'''</ref>


== Summary ==
==Gameplay==
===Advantages===
The BR55HB SR has reasonably high power, a decent rate of fire, and high accuracy with its 2× magnification scope. Its range is its primary advantage, allowing the player to engage at longer ranges by leading shots. The BR55HB SR has a slightly lower recoil than its BR55 predecessor and has less muzzle flash, although the rounds fired are still visible in the air; the rifle's updated design also boosts range and accuracy, increasing the effectiveness of the 9.5mm rounds it fires. The scope of the BR55HB SR allows a skilled marksman to easily take down an unshielded target from medium range, making the battle rifle the best alternative to sniper rifles.


The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, mid-to-long range weapon capable of semi, burst, or automatic fire. Due to difficult aiming caused by fully automatic fire, both variants have been restricted to three round bursts. It is relatively the same as the BR55 Battle Rifle but with some design changes. It still fires the [[M634 9.5x40mm X-HP-SAP]] round in three round bursts (or in fully automatic fashion as seen in [[Halo: Arms Race]])  from a 36 round magazine and it still has a scope with a 2x magnification. Its power, accuracy, and range are pretty much the same as the BR55. The main difference is that the BR55HB SR Battle Rifle has a slightly longer barrel.
===Disadvantages===
Attempting to engage a target at longer ranges requires more rounds and less movement as the rounds become inaccurate over longer ranges. In close quarters combat it is fairly surpassed by the Covenant carbine, as the latter weapon is more capable of performing headshots. Furthermore, its magazine can be depleted rather quickly. The weapon requires a good amount of skill in order to use it. The user must have an understanding of how the weapon works, and what to do with it when a situation arises. Each bullet fired from the weapon can act as a tracer, and can give away the shooter's position, putting him at risk of return fire. While effective at long range against light or unshielded targets, the BR55HB's performance against shielded infantry at close range is extremely challenging; the BR55HB, while still very effective, is not the weapon of choice at close range because of its design, and the fact that it can be easily overpowered by the shotgun and energy sword.


==Changes from the BR55 Service Rifle in ''Halo 2''==
*New reloading animation.
*Decreased aim assist.
*Slightly less recoil.
*Slightly different firing sound.
*Slightly lower rate of fire.
*Decreased accuracy caused by greater spread.
*Slower bullet velocity, requiring greater lead on moving targets.


=== Advantages ===
==Trivia==
*[[WETA Workshop]] made a replica of the BR55HB SR, along with several other weapons, for use in the ''Halo: Landfall'' live-action shorts.
*Sometimes the battle rifle will have one or two extra rounds, causing a half burst. This is caused by retrieving ammunition from a Marine NPC. This can also be achieved if fired and simultaneously meleeing. The weapon would have fired one round, and the melee would have cut off the other two.
*The ''[[Marathon]]'' logo is located on the gun's left side, to the left of the ammunition counter display and roughly above the trigger guard and on the stock.
*There are seven triangles on each side of the Battle Rifle's stock. A reference to [[Bungie]]'s favorite number.
*The rifle seems to resemble the Khaybar KH-2002, HS Produkt VHS-2 and French FAMAS bullpup assault rifles.
*Though the battle rifle is not usable in the ''Halo 3: ODST'' campaign, it makes a small cameo in the level ''[[NMPD HQ]]''. It was later added to Firefight in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.


The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle, has reasonably high power, a decent rate of fire, and high accuracy with a 2x magnification scope; it can be used to deliver three-shot-bursts at medium ranges. In [[multiplayer]], four full bursts to the head will kill a fully-shielded opponent, assuming standard [[shields]]. This weapon will kill an unshielded enemy in a single headshot. This requires that only one of the three rounds from a burst hit an enemy. Therefore, it is possible to kill up to three unshielded opponents in a single burst if they are grouped close enough to each other, though this is an uncommon occurrence. Right after you shoot however, it is possible to only shoot one shot rather than three bullets with a melee attack to disrupt the burst.
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:realbattlerifle.JPG|A [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] firing his BR55HB SR on the fully automatic setting during the [[Battle of Sector Six]] in ''[[Halo: Landfall]]''.
File:Update cougarhuting.jpg|[[Frank O'Connor]] (center) wielding a BR55HB SR prop from ''Halo: Landfall''.
File:H3-BR55HBSR-Replica.jpg|Detail of the BR55HB SR created by [[WETA Workshop]].
File:Landfall BR55HB Prop Photo 1.jpg|A photo of one of WETA's ''Landfall'' battle rifle props.
File:Landfall BR55HB Prop Photo 2.jpg|A photo of one of WETA's ''Landfall'' battle rifle props.
File:H3-BR55HB-ServiceRifle-LeftSide.png|An in-game left profile view of the BR55HB SR in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-BR55HB-ServiceRifle-RightSide.png|An in-game right profile view of the BR55HB SR in ''Halo 3''.
File:BR55HB Battle Rifle.png|A first-person view of the BR55HB SR in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:BR55HB_SR2.jpg|[[John-117]] wielding a BR55HB SR during the [[Battle of Voi]].
Halo-3-20071203013902784.jpg|The BR55HB being used in combat.
File:Halo3 123639242 Full.jpg|View through the BR55HB SR's 2× magnification scope.
File:H3 - EVA on Orbital.jpg|A Spartan-II reloading a BR55HB.
File:Michaels armor.png|[[Michaels]] with a BR55HB during the [[Battle of Ariel]] in ''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''.
File:HTMCC H3 GunTable.jpg|A BR55HB on a table in the ''[[Finish The Fight]]'' trailer for the launch of ''Halo 3'' on PC.
File:HTMCC_H3_BattleRifles.jpg|A rack of BR55HBs in the ''Finish The Fight'' trailer.
File:H3ODST-BR55HBHUDCrater.png|First-person view of the BR55HB in the ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' version of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:H3ODST LostPlatoon DareBR.jpg|[[Veronica Dare]] using a BR55HB on [[Lost Platoon]].
</gallery>


=== Disadvantages ===
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''{{Ref/Note|In the Xbox 360 release of ''Halo 3: ODST'', the BR55HB only appears as an unusable weapon wielded by an NMPD officer in a cutscene. The weapon is available to use in the Firefight portion of ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Become]]''
**''[[Forever We Fight]]''


At longer ranges, it is necessary to minimize strafing movements when firing to avoid "splintering" the shot grouping too much. Since each "shot" is really a three-round-burst, certain movements can break up your shot's grouping and greatly reduce accuracy. This also affects accuracy when firing from a moving vehicle such as a Warthog (especially when firing at a 90-degree angle from the [[vehicle]]'s heading).
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


The Battle Rifle is not as effective at close ranges. Each bullet also acts as a tracer which gives away the shooter's position. Also, the range is limited compared to the [[Sniper Rifle]]. It also does negligible damage against vehicles.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


== Physical Description and Appearance ==
{{UNSC rifles}}
 
[[Category:Rifles]]
The BR55HB SR is a [[bullpup]], selective fire (Except in Gameplay), UNSC rifle that fires the 9.5x40mm X-HP-SAP round (see below). It fires from a 36 round magazine which fits flush in the receiver. The receiver is built directly into the underside of the butt of the gun and is located behind the grip (known as a bullpup configuration).
 
This titanium alloy weapon is gas-operated with a rotating bolt and therefore must be cocked before the first round can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is located on the left side of the weapon and does not move during operation. Once the first round is fired, the gases from that round and those to follow impinge upon a gas piston, which pushes back the bolt carrier, rotating the bolt inside and continuing to chamber rounds until the magazine is empty. Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle (even though not illustrated in-game) can either be pulled back and locked or, it can be fully cycled after a fresh mag has been housed. If it is pulled back and locked, then it must be pushed forward once a fresh magazine is housed to chamber a new round. The magazine release button is located on both sides of the gun with an arrow pointing down towards the housed mag in the stock. The ejection port is located on the right side of the weapon. There is also a fire selector on both sides of the ammo display.
 
The BR55HB SR, having a rifled barrel, has noticeable changes from the BR55. First off, it has a longer barrel for increased range and accuracy. It is fitted with a Trijicon ACOG-style scope on a modified carrying handle and now also has a trigger guard. The safety is also located above the handle of the weapon.
 
== Changes From The BR55 ==
[[Image:sm_h3_Battle_Rifle.gif|thumb|A profile of the BR55HB-SR]]
*Modified optical rail
*New Trijicon ACOG-style scope
*New trigger guard
*Longer barrel
*New reloading animation
*Less magnetism
*Slightly different firing sound
 
Besides these aesthetic/all weapons changes, the Halo 3 Battle Rifle is functionally identical to the Halo 2 version.
 
== Ammunition ==
 
It is interesting to note the ammo used for the Battle Rifle. It uses a new 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Round. The 7.62 x 51 mm NATO round is a rather high-powered round used on the MA5B and on modern-day marksman rifles and machine guns. The 7.62 mm already has a history of having too much recoil because of the rounds high power, which made it hard to fire fully-automatically in assault rifles. While the BR55's larger 9.5 mm round would be heavier and would thus presumably generate even more recoil than the 7.62 mm NATO, this is not necessarily the case. Since the Battle Rifle's rounds have a noticeably shorter case length than the 7.62 mm NATO (40 mm vs. 51 mm), they most likely contain much less powder than the 7.62 mm NATO, which would yield less muzzle energy and thus less recoil, making the weapon more manageable.
The 40mm case may just be down sized to save space and house a more efficient powder yielding more power for the volume burnt, the increased bullet diameter maybe an engineering compromise to allow for a harder but less dense bullet material to achieve better terminal ballistics against armor; yielding the same or even more down range energy; anyone in 1 ton of powered body armor isn't going to notice much difference in the felt recoil of either of these high powered rounds.
However, the size of the ammo would have a problem fitting in the 36-round magazine of the current Battle Rifle. If a Heckler Koch G3 (which is chambered in 7.62mm x 51) has a standard magazine count of 20 and be the size that it is, it would be hard to see a cartridge much wider than the 7.62mm fit inside of a magazine of the Battle Rifle's size and with a capacity of 36 rounds. The Battle Rifle's magazine would have to be about twice as long as it actually is to hold that many rounds. This is a continuous pattern with UNSC assault rifles as a similar instance occurred with the MA5B. The MA5B has a magazine of 60 rounds chambered in the 7.62mm x 51 with a rather "small" magazine size, which looks to be smaller than the Battle Rifle's magazine.
How fortunate that in the 25th century that improvements in magazine technologies have allowed bulky springs and followers to be replaced, freeing up volume for more ammunition making magazines with more capacity than ever previously thought possible. A move away from the 7.62Nato's 12.01mm diameter bottle neck case design towards a straight wall case (nearer to 10mm) would also increase the number of rounds that could be held in a magazine.
 
== Influences ==
[[Image:realbattlerifle.JPG|thumb|right|150px|A Marine holding a Battle Rifle in Combat: Part 2]]
The BR55HB SR's design is based on the same weapons as its predecessor. It appears to be largely based on the French standard issue FAMAS assault rifle, and also has features resembling the US Army's prototype XM8 rifles. See [[BR55_Battle_Rifle#Influence|here]] for more information.
 
== Character Compatibility ==
 
This is the compatibility of the Battle Rifle in Halo 3.
*[[Elites]]
*[[Spartans]]
*[[Marines]]
*[[Brutes]]
*[[Flood Combat Form]] (Human)
*[[Flood Combat Form]] (Elite)
*[[Flood Combat Form]] (Brute)
 
== Trivia ==
 
*Technically, "HB" could stand for "Heavy Barrel" which indicates the lengthened barrel of this variant. "SR" could stand for "Scoped Rifle", which is simply an additional description of this model.
*In the Halo: Arms Race trailers and in Halo Wars, the BR55HB SR Battle Rifle seems to be automatic. But in Halo 3, however, it only fires in bursts of three rounds. This is most likely due to inaccuracies in the film, an automatic firing mode not used in the games due to balance, or a restricted feature only occasionally used in BR55 Battle rifles.
*This weapon fires very similarly to the Heckler & Koch G36 and the Colt AR-15 which fires using the Short-Stroke Gas-Operated Rotating-Bolt, aside from the fact that most trigger assemblies for the G36 use a two shot burst.
 
== Related Articles ==
 
*[[BR55 Battle Rifle]]
 
== Sources ==
 
<references/>
 
{{WepList}}
 
[[Category:UNSC]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Held Weapons]]
[[Category:Human Weapons]]

Latest revision as of 01:20, November 8, 2024

BR55HB battle rifle
H3-BR55HB-ServiceRifle-LeftSide.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1]

Model series:

BR55

Type:

Bullpup battle rifle

Specifications

Length:

115.8 centimetres (45.6 in)[1]

Ammunition type:

9.5×40mm M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing

Feed system:

36-round magazine

Operation:

Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt, locked breech

Effective range:

900 meters[2][Note 1]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War

 

The BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle (BR55HB SR), also known as the "Mammoth Stomper,"[3] is a select-fire rifle utilized by the United Nations Space Command and manufactured by Misriah Armory. It is a heavy-barreled version of the BR55 Service Rifle.[1][3][4]

Overview[edit]

The BR55HB SR entered service in 2548, serving alongside the standard BR55 Service Rifle. For decades, the BR55 had steadily gained favor over the long-serving M392 Designated Marksman Rifle. The introduction of the BR55HB SR led to an immediate increase in the BR55's popularity, prompting all branches of the United Nations Space Command armed forces, except the Army, to replace the M392 with the newer weapon.[4][1]

Design details[edit]

As with the basic model, the BR55HB SR is employed as a medium-to-long range marksman rifle; though its barrel is 25.9 centimeters (10.2 inches)longer than that of the BR55, the BR55HB SR performs almost identically to its predecessor.[1] It fires M634 X-HP-SAP round from a 36-round magazine, which fits flush in the receiver. The magazine housing is built directly into the underside of the stock of the rifle and is located behind the grip. Though the BR55HB SR is a select-fire weapon, it is most often used in its three-round burst mode.[1] Despite firing a very powerful cartridge, the weapon is subject to little recoil, even when being fired automatically.[5]

Gameplay[edit]

Advantages[edit]

The BR55HB SR has reasonably high power, a decent rate of fire, and high accuracy with its 2× magnification scope. Its range is its primary advantage, allowing the player to engage at longer ranges by leading shots. The BR55HB SR has a slightly lower recoil than its BR55 predecessor and has less muzzle flash, although the rounds fired are still visible in the air; the rifle's updated design also boosts range and accuracy, increasing the effectiveness of the 9.5mm rounds it fires. The scope of the BR55HB SR allows a skilled marksman to easily take down an unshielded target from medium range, making the battle rifle the best alternative to sniper rifles.

Disadvantages[edit]

Attempting to engage a target at longer ranges requires more rounds and less movement as the rounds become inaccurate over longer ranges. In close quarters combat it is fairly surpassed by the Covenant carbine, as the latter weapon is more capable of performing headshots. Furthermore, its magazine can be depleted rather quickly. The weapon requires a good amount of skill in order to use it. The user must have an understanding of how the weapon works, and what to do with it when a situation arises. Each bullet fired from the weapon can act as a tracer, and can give away the shooter's position, putting him at risk of return fire. While effective at long range against light or unshielded targets, the BR55HB's performance against shielded infantry at close range is extremely challenging; the BR55HB, while still very effective, is not the weapon of choice at close range because of its design, and the fact that it can be easily overpowered by the shotgun and energy sword.

Changes from the BR55 Service Rifle in Halo 2[edit]

  • New reloading animation.
  • Decreased aim assist.
  • Slightly less recoil.
  • Slightly different firing sound.
  • Slightly lower rate of fire.
  • Decreased accuracy caused by greater spread.
  • Slower bullet velocity, requiring greater lead on moving targets.

Trivia[edit]

  • WETA Workshop made a replica of the BR55HB SR, along with several other weapons, for use in the Halo: Landfall live-action shorts.
  • Sometimes the battle rifle will have one or two extra rounds, causing a half burst. This is caused by retrieving ammunition from a Marine NPC. This can also be achieved if fired and simultaneously meleeing. The weapon would have fired one round, and the melee would have cut off the other two.
  • The Marathon logo is located on the gun's left side, to the left of the ammunition counter display and roughly above the trigger guard and on the stock.
  • There are seven triangles on each side of the Battle Rifle's stock. A reference to Bungie's favorite number.
  • The rifle seems to resemble the Khaybar KH-2002, HS Produkt VHS-2 and French FAMAS bullpup assault rifles.
  • Though the battle rifle is not usable in the Halo 3: ODST campaign, it makes a small cameo in the level NMPD HQ. It was later added to Firefight in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Assuming the BR55HB has the same range as the XBR55.
  2. ^ In the Xbox 360 release of Halo 3: ODST, the BR55HB only appears as an unusable weapon wielded by an NMPD officer in a cutscene. The weapon is available to use in the Firefight portion of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 21
  2. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 206
  3. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), UNSC Weapons, pages 318 - 319 (2011 edition)
  4. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, DMR
  5. ^ Halo: Last One Standing

v • d • e
 
List of rifles and carbines used by humanity
MA series MA1 • MA2B • MA3A • MA40 (Longshot)
MA5 series variants MA37 • MA5B • MA5C • MA5D
Other assault rifles HMG-38 Monitor Rifle • VK78 Commando (Impact)
CM 300 • M6J/C • MA5K
BR55 series XBR55 • BR55 • BR55HB
BR75 series BR75 • BR75 Breacher
BR85 series BR85 • BR85HB • BR85N
Other BR series rifles BRXX Lightfire
Other battle rifles "Maestro"
M295 • M392 • M395 (M395B)
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