Red Dead Online: All The Rifles & Repeaters, Ranked

No outlaw is complete without a quality rifle or repeater loaded with specialty ammo. Firearms play a major role in the world of Red Dead Online and choosing the best one is a matter of life and death. It doesn't matter if players are hunting, playing PvP, or taking down NPCs — at the end of the day, a player with an inferior weapon is bound to get the shorter end of the stick more often than not.

This is what makes it of prime importance to ensure that players are up-to-date with all the information when it comes to the best weapons in the game, especially when it comes to two categories — rifles and repeaters. There is such a wide variety of both types to choose from in Red Dead Online that selecting the best gun while not breaking the bank is very difficult. Hopefully, the following information on all the rifles and repeaters in the game should make this decision somewhat easier to make.

Updated on May 24th, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: Red Dead Online is a brilliant multiplayer spin on one of Rockstar's critically acclaimed games. While one might argue that the level of content present in this mode is still miles behind that of Grand Theft Auto Online, Red Dead Online's multiplayer is nevertheless a blast. The quality of this mode shines especially during the gunfights, where players will need a cool head and an excellent weapon to survive most encounters. While there might be no objective statements to guarantee the former, the latter is very much achievable by opting for the following excellent weapons in Red Dead Online.

10 Varmint Rifle

Power: Low
Range: Medium
Rate of Fire: Medium
Reload Speed: Medium
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $72

The Varmint Rifle is never to be underestimated and can be an effective tool in many different scenarios. Tailored after the Winchester Model 1890, this rifle is the best for taking out small game birds and snakes without sacrificing the quality of an animal's pelt or skin.

In a desperate situation, the Varmint Rifle is very effective against NPCs when loaded with specialty ammo. However, the name of this weapon itself should make it infinitely clear that this weapon is fit mostly for hunting, and should be used exclusively for that.

As a bonus, the Varmint Rifle is also affordable, only costing players $72.00 or 3 gold bars.

9 Elephant Rifle

Power: Very High
Range: Low
Rate of Fire: Very Low
Reload Speed: Low
Accuracy: Low
Price: $580

There's no denying that the Elephant Rifle has its fair share of disadvantages in Red Dead Online. For starters, it has an ammo capacity of just two and one of the slowest reload speeds in Red Dead Online, making it somewhat of a liability to use in an all-out firefight.

However, the Elephant Rifle is the most powerful weapon in Red Dead Online which makes it one of the easier candidates on this list. The recoil on this bad boy is enough to break an outlaw’s collar bone, which proves just how much power this gun really packs... although this does make it somewhat unwieldy to use when trying to get a shot off.

8 Litchfield Repeater

Power: High
Range: Medium
Rate of Fire: Medium
Reload Speed: Low
Accuracy: Medium
Price: $348

The Litchfield Repeater was inspired by the 1860 Henry Repeater Rifle, which was one of the first repeating rifles ever created. It has an ammo capacity of 16 and unlocks at Rank 18.

While this weapon might be one of the more expensive purchases on the list, the Litchfield Repeater more than justifies its price tag. Not only is it a great rifle for hunting purposes, but this weapon is more than serviceable when players need to comb through and clear areas. However, the accuracy of this gun isn't the greatest, making the act of running and gunning somewhat of a challenge at times.

7 Springfield Rifle

Power: Very High
Range: High
Rate of Fire: Low
Reload Speed: Low
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $156

Often compared to the Bolt Action Rifle, the Springfield Rifle is an extremely powerful and accurate rifle that helps out in a punch during medium and long-range encounters. However, keep in mind that the fire rate of this weapon is extremely low, making this gun somewhat ineffective in close-range fights. Thus, the true potential of the Springfield Rifle is unleashed when players combine it with another weapon that's fit to deal with enemies at closer ranges.

The Springfield Rifle is a copy of the Springfield Model 1873 “Trapdoor” Carbine, a classic military firearm. An outlaw can buy this rifle at Rank 38 for $156.00 or 7 gold bars.

6 Rolling Block Rifle

Power: Very High
Range: Very High
Rate of Fire: Low
Reload Speed: Medium
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $411

Much like its counterpart the Carcano Rifle, the Rolling Block Rifle comes equipped with a basic scope upon purchasing. This sniper rifle will set an outlaw back $411.00 or 17 gold bars, which is a hefty price for a rifle with an ammo capacity of one. However, players who prefer long-range skirmishes will soon realize just how powerful this weapon really is.

This rifle unlocks at Rank 13 and is easily one of the most powerful weapons in the game, with a single shot downing most enemies with the greatest of ease.

5 Carbine Repeater

Power: Medium
Range: Medium
Rate of Fire: Medium
Reload Speed: High
Accuracy: High
Price: $90

While it's true that players start off with this gun in Red Dead Online, this doesn't indicate in the slightest that this death-dealing machine should be overlooked in the slightest. After all, if an outlaw invests the time and money into the Carbine Repeater, it can save them a lot of finances in the long run.

This gun has an ammo capacity of 7, an accuracy score of 73, and a damage of 60. When paired with Express Ammo or Split Point Ammo, a single headshot can take down even the toughest of outlaws with ease. The fact that so many things in the game can be accomplished with the starter weapon is an indication of just how approachable Red Dead Online really is.

4 Evans Repeater

Power: Medium
Range: High
Rate of Fire: Medium
Reload Speed: High
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $300

The Evans Repeater has the highest ammo capacity in Red Dead Online with the ability to hold 26 rounds at a time. Its accuracy is also extremely high with a score of 74. A minor downside of this weapon —that, truth be told, can be easily overlooked in favor of its perks — is its low damage and reload speed, especially when compared to other weapons in the same category like the popular Lancaster Repeater.

The Evans Repeater is pretty much an exact replica of the Evans Repeating Rifle that exists in real life. Aspiring outlaws can purchase this repeater for $300 or 12 gold bars and the fact that it's available at Rank 1 is definitely quite notable indeed. Players who wish to get through a gunfight without having to worry about reloading will feel right at home with this weapon.

3 Bolt Action Rifle

Power: High
Range: High
Rate of Fire: Low
Reload Speed: Medium
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $216

One of the best guns in the game by a country mile and a must-have for anyone who wants to own the greatest weapons in Red Dead Online, the Bolt Action Rifle is a powerful gun that's unlocked at Rank 7 and costs $216 or 9 gold bars. The price is quite low, especially when one considers that this weapon is extremely strong and can stand on its own two feet in the bigger leagues as well.

This rifle is perfect for taking down large prey and other outlaws in PvP, and it certainly helps that the weapon is an absolute blast to use as well. The Bolt Action Rifle's only downside is its slow fire rate, although it more than makes up for this minor annoyance in immense power and range.

As a cherry on the top of a powerful gunpowder-laden cake, a scope can also be attached to this gun that can turn it into a decent sniper rifle as well.

2 Carcano Rifle

Power: High
Range: Very High
Rate of Fire: Low
Reload Speed: High
Accuracy: Very High
Price: $456

Modeled after the Carcano Model 91/38 Short Rifle, the Carcano Rifle is arguably the best sniper rifle in Red Dead Online. The Carcano Rifle has a damage of 75 and a range of 80, giving it a high overall score of 70.

This amazing weapon unlocks at Rank 50 and has a price tag of $456 or 19 gold bars. With the Carcano Rifle, outlaws can perfect their skills as cold-blooded snipers stalking and claiming prey from insane distances.

Suffice to say, landing a shot from way off with pinpoint precision feels incredibly satisfying with this rifle.

1 Lancaster Repeater

Power: Medium
Range: Medium
Rate of Fire: Medium
Reload Speed: High
Accuracy: High
Price: $243

The Lancaster Repeater is considered by most veteran players as one of the most versatile guns in Red Dead Online. With this repeater, players can hunt anything from Timber Wolves to wild ducks just by simply changing ammo.

The Lancaster Repeater has an ammo capacity of 14 and a reload score of 70, making this weapon perfect for taking on a multitude of enemies at once. Express Ammo is ideal to pair with the Lancaster Repeater, which can turn this weapon into a force to be reckoned with in battle and one of the best weapons to carry around in Red Dead Online. The gun unlocks at Rank 12 for just $243.

Next: Red Dead Online: 5 Best Handguns (& 5 Worst)