BR55HB battle rifle

The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle is a UNSC infantry firearm in Halo 3 and is a newer variant of the BR55 Battle Rifle in Halo 2.

Design details
The BR55HB SR is a bullpup, selective firing mode rifle that fires the 9.5x40mm X-HP-SAP round. It fires 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. The weapon is considered a Battle Rifle, but it resembles a modern Assault Rifle more.

This titanium alloy weapon is gas-operated with a rotating bolt and therefore must be charged 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, but is pushed back turning reloading. The rifle has a housed magazine in the stock. The ejection port is located on the right side of the weapon.

The BR55HB SR, has noticeable changes from the BR55. It has a longer barrel for increased range and accuracy. It is also 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.

It was never stated exactly what the maximum effective range of the BR55HB SR is. The MA5C, which was described as most suited for short to medium range, as opposed to the Battle Rifle's mid to long, had a maximum effective range of 300 meters and the Covenant Carbine, which was similar in use with the Battle Rifle, had a maximum range of 600 meters. It was also stated in Contact Harvest that the Battle rifle could reach up to 900 meters with deadly accuracy; however, that was with a prototype Battle Rifle, and the standard issue Battle Rifle may not have that type of range.

Advantages
The BR55HB SR has reasonably high power, a decent rate of fire, and high accuracy with its 2x magnification scope. Its range is its primary advantage, allowing the rifleman to engage at longer ranges by leading shots, and being able to reach far beyond the distance that it feels like it can fire, such as beyond the crosshair's range in which the sights turn red, although this can require more skill as there is no aim-assist. The intended range of this weapon makes it a must have for mid to large sized maps such as The pit or Valhalla, where there are long sight lines. The other main advantage of this weapon is its ability to make headshots, so while its individual bullets does less damage than even the MA5C Assault Rifle, headshots can greatly reduce the time needed to kill as it will kill unshielded characters quickly.

There is also a method that kills with four shots: you shoot into the body three times, and the last bullet must be placed into the neck or head however, this can be tricky at a longer distance as there is a slight spread to the rounds. The most effective use of this weapon would be for cleaning up kills on enemies that your teammates have already hurt, or staying back at mid-range to avoid direct combat with this weapon and picking off targets. However, the versatility of this weapon allows it to be both an effective offensive and defensive weapon. It is also very useful for both supporting the team with easy kills and distracting enemies. The weapon's semi-armor piercing rounds detonate Fusion Cores of both UNSC and covenant immediately.

In Halo 3, the BR55HBB SR has a slightly lower recoil than the earlier version in Halo 2, and has less muzzle flash, although the rounds fired are still visible in the air. For players going through campaign on Heroic or Legendary this weapon is an absolute must as it can take down either Jackal marksmen and snipers or Brutes in combination with the plasma pistol to instantly drain their armor.

Disadvantages
At longer ranges, it is necessary to minimize strafing movements when firing to avoid spacing the shot grouping too much. Since each "shot" is really a three-round-burst, certain movements can break up the 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 direction.

However, the BR55HB SR is not as effective at close ranges. Each bullet acts as a tracer which gives away the shooter's position, and the range is limited at extreme distances in comparison to the Sniper Rifle. It also does negligible damage against vehicles.

Another disadvantage at close range is the weapon's small spread of fire, because at close range enemies may move quickly in relation to the shooter. If an enemy gets to close it has such a small firing speed that it would be more practical to use a weapon with a high fire rate and better speed, an MA5C or a shotgun would be best. If the reticule is just off, then the shot will be too. Due to this the BR can be beat by a Shotgun, Energy Sword, SMG, Assault Rifle, or Gravity Hammer.

The Battle Rifle is mainly used against infantry, and should not be used against vehicles unless they have an exposed seat such as the ghost, or Warthog but even then it is better to use other weapons such as an Assault rifle.

Influences
The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle's design is based on its predecessor, the BR55 Battle Rifle, which was used in Halo 2.

The most obvious inspiration for the shape and design of this rifle is the French-made FAMAS assault rifle. They are externally nearly identical in design, featuring a bullpup configuration (the magazine and receiver behind the trigger) and a skeletonized carry handle. However, the FAMAS is an assault rifle, firing a 5.56 x 45mm intermediate round, and the BR55HB SR is a battle rifle, firing a fictional 9.5 x 40mm round.

Yet another key inspiration for the BR series was the German-manufactured G36 line, particularly in the area around the carry handle and rail system. In its handguard, it also bears influence from another German design, the XM8 which was derived from the G36 and slated to become the new standard service rifle for the United States military prior to its cancellation.

Changes From The BR55 in Halo 2

 * Modified optical rail
 * New Trijicon ACOG-style scope
 * New trigger guard
 * Longer barrel
 * New reloading animation
 * Less aim-assist/magnetism, harder to aim
 * Slightly different firing sound
 * Slightly lower rate of fire
 * Decreased accuracy/greater spread
 * Slower rounds - no instant hit anymore, so leading shots are needed from longer range, this was done because the Battle Rifle in Halo 2 was considered by many to be overpowered
 * There are now three separate bullets that can be "spread" each time you shoot unlike in Halo 2 where it would still fire 3 bullets but they could not be "spread".

Campaign
The BR55HB SR Battle Rifle is a marvelously effective weapon against all types of enemies, from Grunts to Brutes to Elites and even Spartans and perhaps even Flood if you're a good shot. An important thing to note is that the BR55HB SR can be used to great effect at medium to long range. The trick with making the BR55HB SR Battle Rifle effective at long range is minimizing the operator's side-to-side movement. Strafing while firing greatly decreases the efficiency of the rifle. Additionally, while firing at a moving target it is important to aim in front of the target, especially when the target is moving perpendicular to the aim of the rifleman. For targets on foot it is optimal to aim 0.75-1.00 head-widths in front of the target to guarantee the maximum possible number of rounds impact the target. For targets in vehicles it is ideal to aim 1.75-2.5 head-widths in front of the target. Attempting use of a BR55HB SR Battle Rifle against vehicles at great range is not advised. Odds are the vehicle you are trying to take down is not an immediate threat that the rifleman needs to eliminate and he should shift his focus to a more readily available target, for instance, infantry like Grunts.

A single headshot with the 3-round burst of the Battle Rifle instantly kills Grunts and Jackal Snipers, as well as unshielded Elites and Brutes at medium range. It can be used to destroy a Flood Combat Form quickly by penetrating the Infection Form in its chest cavity, unless it is shielded, most likely with the corpse of a former Elite. If it is it will take a while to destroy it.(especially on higher difficulties).

Multiplayer
In multiplayer, it takes four headshot bursts to kill a fully shielded SPARTAN-II or Elite, or three body shots followed by a headshot (Head shots are only necessary to kill unshielded opponents; the bullets do equal damage on any part of a shielded body).

Another use of the BR is to melee, then get a headshot for an instant kill. This is much more effective than shooting then meleeing, seeing as this would take at least three bursts before the melee would kill the opponent. This is much less effective than in Halo 2, when there was a button glitch which made it much easier. The method is not recommended unless they are unaware of you, because you may get hit back if they fired first and die.

In multiplayer (preferably Team SWAT), you can "twitch fire" the rifle so that you can execute an easy headshot. The way it can be executed is such, just when you fire at mid-lower chest area of your target, "twitch" the reticule upwards and the 3 bullets will separate, thus decreasing its accuracy but creating a greater head shot hit box. This technique is very useful to inexperienced players, but also decreases the damage seeing as each bullet gives individual damage, so it is not suited for the more experienced. In multiplayer, it is the best weapon to use for cleaning up kills or "one shots" as they are called. Despite its rate of fire, the BR55HB SR Battle Rifle makes it easier to obtain headshots, even in close range, taking the enemies' or enemy's shield down more quickly than the MA5C. Close range use of the Battle Rifle isn't recommended as close range encounters often go in favor of the wielder of a close range weapon because it is hard to land a headshot.

Advanced Tactics
An infamous but well-known tactic known as the "Noob Combo" or as the "EMP combo" is to use an overloaded Plasma Pistol shot to remove the shields of an opponent, then immediately follow this hit with a head shot to kill the opponent. The need to use only one headshot is good practice for Team SWAT, but this is once again not as effective in Halo 3 as in Halo 2, seeing as the plasma pistol's charge drains 1 unit for about every 2/3rds of a second as the weapon is charged, along with the fact that its homing capability's have been reduced.

Another useful Battle Rifle tactic is to use a Sniper Rifle shot to reduce the shields of a target, then switch to the Battle Rifle for an easier headshot. This is more useful at long ranges, where the opponent has a CQB or a slow explosive weapon. This tactic is better for inexperienced snipers to use, as it uses less ammunition than two sniper body shots, and experienced snipers will usually just get a single headshot on a target, which will kill the target and make the Battle Rifle shot unnecessary. Other tactics that many players use is to throw or bounce a Fragmentation Grenade off walls or the ground, then line up a headshot with a Magnum, Battle Rifle, or Covenant Carbine. This is very effective due to the obsessive and common use of Fragmentation and Plasma Grenades.

Arguably, the best equipment combination with the Battle Rifle is the Power Drain. By throwing down the Power Drain, the shields of your enemies are instantly brought down, thus allowing for an easy one-shot kill with minimal ammunition usage. This is more suited for ambushes, as it takes a few seconds to deploy the power drain. The power drainer is especially useful on levels that involve lifts, for example Construct. As mentioned previously, a Frag Grenade can be used in its place, for example on Guardian.

Also, a good weapon combo is a Battle Rifle, Shotgun combo. When a target is coming at you from a distance, try to pick him off with the Battle Rifle, but when he gets closer, shoot him with the Shotgun. This combo can also work with Energy Swords or Gravity Hammers in the place of Shotguns, or a Covenant Carbine in the place of the Battle Rifle.

Trivia

 * The "HB" most likely is an acronym standing for "Heavy Barrel", which indicates the lengthened barrel of this rifle and the weighty barrel on the stock. "SR" could stand for "Scoped Rifle", which is simply an additional description of this weapon.
 * The BR55HB SR was first introduced in Eric Nylund's novel Halo: First Strike. It was noted that this rifle had "a longer barrel and stock, with a cut down muzzle shroud." it also seems to be far more powerful than those seen in the game, being able to drop a shielded Elite with only a couple of bursts.
 * The Marathon symbol 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.
 * WETA Studios made a replica Battle Rifle, Magnum, Sniper Rifle, Carbine, Gravity Hammer, Spike Grenade, Rocket Launcher, and Plasma Pistol to use in the currently "on hold" Halo film.
 * During Halo 3's development, Bungie did many calculations and tests, in order to make sure the Battle Rifle and Assault Rifle were evenly balanced.
 * The Battle Rifle is the starting weapon of choice in Major League Gaming a professional Halo 3 League.
 * The Battle Rifle would be best suited as a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) due to the limited amount of ammunition that can be carried by an individual Marine, ODST, or Spartan.
 * The Battle Rifle won't be featured in Halo 3 ODST, being replaced by the Automag.