15 Most Powerful Rifles in Movies

There’s something about a heavy-caliber rifle on screen that instantly raises the stakes. Whether the script calls for an anti-materiel shot across a valley or a life-or-death counter-sniper duel, filmmakers often reach for purpose-built long guns designed to deliver extreme energy and precision. Many of these rifles are real-world platforms chambered for cartridges like .50 BMG, .338 Lapua Magnum, or even 20×102 mm, selected by prop teams for their distinctive look and documented capabilities.

Below is a researched roundup of fifteen especially powerful rifles as they’re used in specific movies. For each entry you’ll find the platform’s real specifications—caliber, action, configuration—and verifiable examples of how the film depicts it, with sources so you can check every claim.

‘The Hurt Locker’ (2008) — Barrett M82A1M/M107

The Barrett M82/M107 is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle typically chambered in .50 BMG, with a 10-round magazine, tank-style muzzle brake, and long top rail for optics; it has seen widespread military adoption under the M107 designation.

In the desert counter-sniper sequence, contractors and the EOD team use an M82A1M/M107, which IMFDB documents with stills and notes on the exact variant used during the engagement.

‘Shooter’ (2007) — CheyTac M200 Intervention

CheyTac’s M200 Intervention is a bolt-action precision rifle engineered around the proprietary .408 CheyTac (and .375 CheyTac) high-BC cartridges, with a long, fluted barrel and ELR-oriented system components.

The film associates Bob Lee Swagger with the M200, and IMFDB’s entry catalogs the on-screen configuration so viewers can verify the prop against the real rifle’s features.

‘American Sniper’ (2014) — McMillan TAC-338A

The McMillan TAC-338A is a bolt-action .338 Lapua Magnum rifle built for long-range precision with a heavy barrel, detachable box magazine, and compatibility with clip-on night optics.

IMFDB’s film page shows Chris Kyle using a TAC-338A fitted with a Leupold Mark 4 and Harris bipod, with imagery confirming the model and its accessories in several sequences.

‘District 9’ (2009) — Mechem/Denel NTW-20

South Africa’s NTW-20 is a multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle system for 20×82 mm, 14.5×114 mm, and 20×110 mm cartridges, featuring massive recoil mitigation and, in some setups, a 3-round magazine.

The movie’s mercenaries field the NTW-20 during the climactic assault; IMFDB notes this as the rifle’s first film appearance and includes stills that clearly identify the platform.

‘The Living Daylights’ (1987) — Walther WA 2000

The Walther WA 2000 is a rare German semi-automatic bullpup precision rifle produced in limited numbers, commonly in .300 Winchester Magnum, created after the 1972 Munich tragedy to enable compact, precise hostage-rescue shots.

James Bond is issued a WA 2000 in the opening sniping sequence; IMFDB’s film page documents the exact rifle and optics used on screen with corroborating images.

‘Mechanic: Resurrection’ (2016) — Accuracy International AWM

Accuracy International’s AWM is the magnum member of the AW family, typically in .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum, known for a rugged chassis, cold-hammer-forged barrel, and field reliability.

IMFDB identifies an AWM-F in the film, used in long-range setups that showcase the folding stock, bipod, and optics—consistent with how the platform is configured in service.

‘6 Underground’ (2019) — Accuracy International AXMC

The AXMC is AI’s multi-caliber successor to the AWM/AX line, supporting quick barrel/bolt swaps across magnum cartridges; it features a monolithic fore-end, quick-change barrel system, and folding stock.

In the Hong Kong sequences, the team’s sniper runs a suppressed AXMC; IMFDB provides stills and captions that confirm the model and show how it’s outfitted for the job.

‘Miami Vice’ (2006) — Barrett M82

Barrett’s M82 is a semi-automatic .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle designed in the 1980s and widely adopted for long-range interdiction; it uses a short-recoil action with a 10-round magazine and large brake.

The film deploys M82s in two major set-pieces; IMFDB notes that the car-interior bullet impacts were created with live .50 BMG fire for the effect, per the director’s commentary.

‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ (2010) — Steyr HS .50

The Steyr HS .50 is an Austrian single-shot bolt-action rifle chambered in .50 BMG (also .460 Steyr in another variant), with a 33-inch heavy barrel and substantial muzzle brake; the HS .50-M1 adds a 5-round magazine.

An Umbrella sniper uses an HS .50 in the opening sequence, which IMFDB documents with images and specific model identification from the scene.

‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ (2017) — Barrett M98B

The Barrett M98B is a bolt-action chassis rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum that anticipated many features later seen in the MRAD, including modular construction, detachable magazines, and a straight-line stock.

In the film, Adele Wolff employs a suppressed M98B; IMFDB notes the prop is depicted firing as if semi-automatic, while providing stills that confirm the underlying bolt-action model.

‘Sniper: Ultimate Kill’ (2017) — Anzio AIC Mag-Fed 20 mm

The Anzio Ironworks mag-fed 20 mm rifle is an extreme long-range platform chambered for 20×102 mm (and other large calibers), with a 3-round detachable box magazine and overall weights far exceeding typical .50-caliber rifles.

IMFDB identifies the antagonist’s rifle in the final confrontation as an AIC Mag-Fed 20 mm, with tell-tale features such as barrel flutes, hexagonal bipod mount, and full-length top rail that match the manufacturer’s design.

‘The Gunman’ (2015) — DSR-Precision DSR-1

The DSR-1 is a German bullpup bolt-action precision rifle offered in calibers including 7.62×51 mm NATO and .338 Lapua Magnum, notable for its forward-mounted bipod, integral rear monopod, and spare-mag well behind the grip.

During the Barcelona estate firefight, a marksman uses a DSR-1; IMFDB’s page provides scene stills that make it easy to distinguish the rifle’s compact bullpup layout and unique furniture.

‘Without Remorse’ (2021) — Barrett M95

The Barrett M95 is a bolt-action bullpup anti-materiel rifle in .50 BMG with a 5-round magazine and 29-inch barrel in a compact 45-inch overall length, designed to deliver .50-caliber performance from a shorter package.

A sniper in Murmansk employs an M95; IMFDB confirms the model with screenshots from the hide and additional notes separating it from conventional-layout .50-caliber rifles.

‘Wolf Warrior’ (2015) — Barrett M99

Barrett’s M99 is a single-shot, bolt-action .50-caliber precision rifle focused on rigidity and accuracy, using a heavy 32-inch barrel and simplified top-loading action.

The antagonist marksman uses an M99 during a rescue sequence; IMFDB’s entry supplies multiple stills that clearly show the rifle and provide context for how it’s portrayed on screen.

‘Phone Booth’ (2002) — Accuracy International Arctic Warfare

The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare family is a line of bolt-action precision rifles designed for reliability in adverse conditions, with free-floating barrels, modular stocks, and chamberings like .308 Winchester.

To frame a bystander and manipulate the hostage scenario, the antagonist plants an AW-series rifle in a nearby apartment; IMFDB’s film page identifies it as an Accuracy International Arctic Warfare.

Share your picks in the comments—what powerful movie rifle would you add to this list?