Hunting Rifle

The Ruger Mini-14 hunting rifle is the most accurate gun in the game. It features semi-automatic fire, and is the only weapon in game that has a scope attachment. It is still mildly accurate without having to use the scope. It is perhaps the most powerful of the second tier weapons. It holds a 15 round magazine with 180 rounds in reserve and has the unique ability to shoot through several enemies at once.

The weapon can be fired fairly quickly, but distance is key to the weapon. Long hallways and open spaces are where this gun really shines. Players with shotguns will be your best friends, as teaming up with them creates an effective combination. Try to keep the infected away from them, and they can take care of the infected rushing you at close range. The weapon is only moderately effective against The Tank but can be used to stun The Witch momentarily with a well placed headshot. However, this is a risky tactic as The Witch may have enough health to survive, and may cause her to target you.

In reality, the Mini-14 normally uses iron sights, with any scope being a third-party attachment. It is unique in that it is the only weapon in Left 4 Dead whose magazine capacity is lower than its real world counterpart, as basic Mini-14 models currently ship with 20-round magazines. However, they can also be shipped with 5-round magazines for areas that ban high capacities for civilians, which may have been what the developers were basing the in-game capacity on.

Tip: Don't be afraid to use the hunting rifle in close combat, it is surprisingly effective and accurate at close range, even without scoping in. A single shot is usually enough to down a regular infected, even if it hits an arm or a leg. The Crouching is encouraged, as it greatly improves both scoped and unscoped accuracy. The hunting rifle is least accurate while moving, but is still more effective at repelling zombies at close range than pistols, if used properly. The trick is knowing when to use the scope and when not to.