15 Most Powerful Rifles in TV Shows

Big and small screens love their long guns, and television has spent decades showing off some of the most capable rifles on the planet. From anti-materiel behemoths to compact designated-marksman rigs, TV shows put these platforms into storylines where range, precision, and punch actually matter. That means we can point to specific episodes where particular rifles appear, how they’re configured, and what roles they’re meant to fill.

Below is a researched, verifiable look at notable rifles that turn up repeatedly in TV—paired with what makes each platform “powerful” in real-world terms (caliber, role, modularity) and where you can spot them on screen. Citations point to manufacturer/reference pages and season or episode entries that document the exact on-screen appearances.

‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007) — Barrett M82/M82A1 (.50 BMG)

The M82/M82A1 is Barrett’s semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle built around .50 BMG for long-range interdiction of equipment and hard targets; reference pages outline the platform’s design and service use.

On TV, SG-3 wields the M82 in ‘Stargate SG-1’ Season 7 (“Fallen”) and Season 8 (“Zero Hour”), with the season pages explicitly identifying the rifle in those episodes.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Barrett MRAD / MK 22 (multi-caliber)

Barrett’s MRAD is a modular bolt-action rifle that allows quick barrel and caliber swaps; in U.S. service it appears as the MK 22 with conversion kits for 7.62×51, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum.

The MK 22 shows up prominently in ‘SEAL Team’ Season 5 (“Trust, But Verify” Parts 1–2), where production stills and captions confirm the specific MRAD MK22 rifles carried by characters.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Knight’s Armament SR-25 / M110 (7.62×51 NATO)

The SR-25 family and its M110 SASS variant give units a semi-automatic precision rifle with suppressor and optics packages standardized for overwatch roles; platform pages document lineage, features, and adoption.

Across Seasons 2–4, ‘SEAL Team’ repeatedly fields SR-25 Enhanced Carbines and the M110; episode entries call out specific appearances such as “Things Not Seen” (S2E12), “Forever War” (S4E02), and others.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Heckler & Koch HK416 (5.56×45)

The HK416 is an AR-pattern carbine using a short-stroke piston system that enhances reliability—especially with suppressors; series pages summarize the platform’s design and media use.

In ‘SEAL Team’ the HK416 is the day-to-day carbine for Bravo, documented season by season with barrel lengths, optics and suppressors—see the Season 1 premiere for early use and detailed equipment breakdowns in later seasons.

‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ (2018–2023) — Heckler & Koch HK416 (5.56×45)

The HK416 platform appears widely with special operations and law-enforcement units on screen; its piston-driven operating system and AR-15 ergonomics are the big draws for productions depicting modern SOF.

‘Jack Ryan’ features 10.4-inch and 14.5-inch HK416 builds with suppressors and optics in multiple seasons, with Season 1 (“French Connection”) and Season 3 (“Falcon”) pages documenting the exact configurations used.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022) — Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR (7.62×51)

The Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR modernizes the M14 into a chassis-equipped, optics-ready semi-auto DMR chambered in 7.62×51 NATO; reference entries summarize the EBR program and Mod 0/1 updates.

In ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 4 finale (“A”), a Terminus defender trains a Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR on Rick during the standoff; the season page calls out the rifle and shows the setup visible on screen.

’24: Live Another Day’ (2014) — Heckler & Koch G36 (5.56×45)

H&K’s G36 series (including G36KV/KA4/C variants) is a polymer-framed, piston-operated 5.56×45 rifle family; reference pages include images of screen-used rifles from this very series.

The limited series ’24: Live Another Day’ features G36 variants in multiple action sequences filmed in London, with IMFDB documenting the screen-used rifles and accessories like EOTech optics and suppressors.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017) — IMI Galil AR (5.56×45)

The Galil AR is a robust 5.56×45 rifle derived from the AK action and widely fielded in Latin America; model overviews track specs and derivative ACE lines seen across media.

‘Narcos’ depicts Colombian forces and guerrillas using the Galil extensively; Season 1 and Season 2 pages list repeated appearances and episode-specific callouts such as the Palace of Justice sequence.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Accuracy International AX338 (.338 Lapua Mag)

Accuracy International’s AX series is purpose-built for harsh-environment precision, with quick-breakdown features and .338 Lapua configurations documented in platform references.

‘Person of Interest’ Season 2 (“Critical”) identifies an AX338 on screen, with the episode entry showing stills and captions that confirm the exact rifle used in the sequence.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Remington 700PSS / Model 700 (various)

The Remington 700 action underpins decades of LE/military bolt guns; the 700PSS pairs a heavy barrel with a tactical stock and optics; reference pages trace the PSS configuration’s popularity.

Across Seasons 2, 4 and 5, ‘Person of Interest’ repeatedly features 700PSS rifles—for example “Til Death” (S2E08), “Trojan Horse” (S2E19), “Nautilus” (S4E02), and “Sotto Voce” (S5E09)—with episode entries noting the model and setup.

‘CSI: Miami’ (2002–2012) — Blaser R93 (incl. LRS2 configurations)

Blaser’s straight-pull R93—especially in tactical LRS2 trim—is known for fast cycling and modular caliber support; manufacturer and model pages outline the family and its tactical variants.

In ‘CSI: Miami’ Season 4 (“Open Water”), an MDPD officer handles a Blaser R93; the season page identifies the rifle and includes stills from the episode.

‘Shooter’ (2016–2018) — DRD Tactical Paratus (7.62×51)

The DRD Paratus is a takedown semi-auto precision rifle designed to be packed covertly and assembled in under a minute, originally responding to a clandestine breakdown-rifle requirement; the platform page gives the design background.

In ‘Shooter’ Season 2 (“The Hunting Party”) and Season 3 (“Backroads”), antagonist Solotov uses a suppressed Paratus-16-LR-B, with on-screen assembly shown and documented in the season entries.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Barrett M107/M107CQ (.50 BMG)

Barrett’s semi-auto .50-caliber rifles are designed for long-range, anti-materiel roles; the family’s reference page outlines history and common screen appearances.

The series features a full-length M107 in “Foe” (S1E08) and later a shortened M107CQ mocked up as an XM109 in “Pretenders” (S4E06); episode pages include stills and captions calling out the exact model used.

‘Strike Back’ (2010–2015; 2017–2020) — FN FAL (7.62×51)

The FN FAL is a 7.62×51 battle rifle seen worldwide; model pages aggregate where it turns up in television, including seasons of this series.

Multiple ‘Strike Back’ seasons feature FALs in the hands of soldiers and militants—Season 7 and Season 8 entries, for example, show specific episode sightings and stills with the rifle identified.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — SIG-Sauer MCX (Rattler) & MCX-SPEAR

SIG’s MCX line emphasizes modular, suppressor-centric operation; the MCX-SPEAR is the newer variant associated with the U.S. Army’s NGSW program and later designated M7 in 2025.

On screen, ‘SEAL Team’ uses suppressed MCX Rattlers in Season 4 (“Do No Harm”) and Season 5’s opener, while Season 7 shows an MCX-SPEAR configured as a DMR, with entries specifying likely 7.62-blank builds for filming.

What did we miss—or which TV rifle moment blew you away the most? Share your picks (and episode receipts) in the comments!