Best MW3 Battle Rifle loadouts & classes ranked (Season 3 Reloaded)

The best Battle Rifles in Modern Warfare 3 provide a combination of raw firepower and mid-to-long-range threat, making them extremely formidable in Season 3 Reloaded's multiplayer.

While Assault Rifles and Submachine Guns tend to be more popular, I've managed to carry plenty of matches with a top-tier Battle Rifle setup and find that it's very underrated in the grand scheme of things. So, to ensure you're always one step ahead of your opponents, I've put together a list of the top five best Battle Rifle loadouts in MW3.

Best Modern Warfare 3 Battle Rifles ranked

5. TAQ-V

Best TAQ-V loadout

• Muzzle: Lockshot KT85
• Stock: TV Cardinal
• Magazine: 30 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: FSS Combat Grip
• Laser: CORIO LAZ-44 V3

MW2's very own heavy-hitter, the TAQ-V, comes packed with a tremendous amount of damage and can wipe out foes in an instant. As you'd expect, this also results in a lot of kickback, but if you're a player who loves a weapon that packs a punch, it's a solid choice.

This is also a strong option if you're a CoD player who likes sticking to comfort. We've all had plenty of time to get used to the new weapons in Modern Warfare 3, but sometimes the experience of using a gun like the TAQ-V for an entire cycle still overpowers the fresh options.

4. SO-14

Best SO-14 loadout

• Muzzle: Tempus GH50
• Barrel: 18" T300 Barrel
• Laser: CORIO LAZ-44 V3
• Underbarrel: Bruen Bastion Angled Grip
• Optic: Schlager 3.4x

The SO-14 may not be at the top of the rankings, but it carries over a hefty amount of power from Modern Warfare 2 to MW3. With the ability to dominate at long-range with select fire, and a full auto mode for when enemies get a little too close for comfort, the gun is incredibly versatile.

Perfect for maps like Wasteland, Highrise, and Derail, you can catch enemies off-guard from afar with ease. The gun has always been slept on, so if you're looking for a slightly off-meta option that you don't see every day, the SO-14 is a brilliant choice.

Furthermore, it was on the receiving end of a fair few buffs in Season 3 Reloaded that help make the gun feel more consistent - and climb the rankings too. It has had its damage increased at all ranges, with minimum, medium, and near-medium ranges all boosted by over 25%. The result of this is a consistent three-hit kill within its max damage range, which will help a lot in making the gun feel great to use.

3. Sidewinder

Best Sidewinder loadout

• Barrel: Huntsman Series-R Integrated Suppressor
• Stock: RB Regal Stock
• Magazine: 30 Round Drum
• Rear Grip: RB Borealis Grip
• Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical Grip

Unlike its counterparts, the Sidewinder is devastating at close range, making it a solid SMG replacement if you prefer to take on skirmishes in enclosed spaces. It's also got impressive mobility, so it's ideal for a player who is always on the hunt for their next gunfight in MW3.

If that wasn't enough, back in Season 3 the Sidewinder was buffed with an increase in its bullet velocity and a decrease in its sprint-to-fire time, allowing you to get your shots off even quicker.

Overall, while it's not quite at the top of the meta, the Sidewinder is slowly rising through the ranks and with a few more changes, it could be a true contender for the crown.

2. MTZ-762

Best MTZ-762 loadout

• Muzzle: JAK BFB
• Underbarrel: Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag
• Stock: MTZ Stockless Mod
• Conversion Kit: JAK Heretic Carbine Kit

Another hard-hitting Battle Rifle that fires out 762 rounds, the MTZ-762 trades all-out firepower for a dose of recoil.

However, the setup above is fully kitted out for maximum aggression on smaller maps, giving you the added mobility to delete foes in an instant. A touch of recoil can be annoying, but when you're taking on foes up close, it's far less important.

Ultimately, the MTZ-762's biggest strength is its powerful TTK which is extremely hard to beat, especially when face-to-face with an enemy.

It's even had its own little buff in Season 3 Reloaded too, as the aim down sight time has been decreased by 7% from 280ms to 260ms. With Battle Rifles this is so important, as your slower fire rate but higher individual bullet damage becomes more effective if you're able to snap onto your targets quicker.

1. BAS-B

Best BAS-B loadout

• Barrel: Crippling Malice Light
• Stock: Ravage-20 Heavy
• Underbarrel: Chewk Angled Grip
• Magazine: 45 Rond Mag
• Rear Grip: STT88 Grip

While nerfs have affected the weapon, the BAS-B remains a fantastic weapon and easily one of the best Battle Rifles that you can choose. The gun sits at the top thanks to its brilliant balance of damage and stability, making it extraordinarily consistent.

Unlike a lot of other picks in the category, it doesn't have massive drawbacks and instead offers a balanced combination of damage and accuracy.

This versatility means it can used in any situation and almost any map to carry you to victory, which is exactly why it takes the crown in Season 3 Reloaded.

Now you know the best Battle Rifle loadouts in MW3, why not familiarise yourself with every single Killstreak so you can pick the best selections for your play style, or the overall meta loadouts? Also, be sure to check out our MW3 homepage for all of the latest news and guides.