[Top 10] Fallout 76 Best Automatic Rifles (And How To Get Them)

It doesn't mind if you whistle at it


1. The Whistle In The Dark (Best for its unique skin)

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: 33 (max with no cards)
  • Ammo: 5.56
  • Fire Rate: 40
  • Clip: 20
  • Weight: 8

Recommended Legendary Attributes: (Included already)

  • Nocturnal
  • Perception +1
  • VATS Enhanced

What The Whistle In The Dark Excels In:

  • VATS
  • Night damage

2. Mind Over Matter (Best for damage to ghouls) 

Item Stats: (subject to change when converting)

  • Damage Type: Ballistic and Energy
  • Damage output: 20 of each damage type (40 total)
  • Ammo: Plasma Cartridge or Ultracite Cartridge if you make it prime.
  • Fire Rate: 33
  • Clip: 30
  • Weight: 3

Recommended Legendary Attributes: (Already included)

  • 50% damage to ghouls
  • 25% damage while aiming
  • 50% damage resistance while aiming

What Mind Over Matter Excels In:

  • Critical Hits goo enemies
  • Radiation Rumble
  • Damage to ghouls
  • Damage resistance

 3. Combat Rifle (Best for a secondary weapon)

Item Stats

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: 40
  • Ammo: .38, .45, Ultracite if made prime
  • Fire Rate: 33
  • Clip: 20
  • Weight: 7

Recommended Legendary Attributes:

  • Quadruple ammo capacity
  • Explosive
  • 25% Damage while aiming

What The Combat Rifle Excels In:

  • Back up for primary weapon
  • Easy to find ammo
  • Manual aiming

4. Pipe Rifle (Best for just starting) 

Get through the grind of starting from the beginning with this gun that's craftable from the get-go. It's the type of gun that doesn't get mad if you don't call it the next day.

Item Stats (depends on the level, levels change quickly when below level 50)

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: ranges from 12-26
  • Ammo: .38, .45, Ultracite
  • Fire Rate: 60
  • Clip: 12
  • Weight: 4

Legendary Attributes:

  • There is no point in getting an excellent legendary below level 50. Whatever you find, don't get overly attached to it. A two-shot explosive weapon of any kind won't be excellent when you're a level 300, and it's a level 10.

What The Pipe Rifle Excels In:

  • Ammo is found everywhere for it
  • Easy ammo crafting
  • Mods are easy to find
  • Repairs require easily attainable scrap

5.  Assault Rifle (Best for rapid damage)

 If you weren't a fan of the "Whistle in the Dark" version of this, then check out other legendary versions. Plans can drop from certain enemies and events.

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: 33
  • Ammo: 5.56
  • Fire Rate: 40
  • Clip: 20
  • Weight: 8

Recommended Legendary Attributes:

  • Two-Shot
  • Anti-Armor
  • Explosive
  • Furious
  • Vampires

What The Assault Rifle Excels In:

  • Tanky Builds

6. The Slug Buster (Best for Critical Hits)

During the Buried Treasure quest, make sure to let RaRa enter the door she asks about opening. The weapon will be lying on the table.

Item Stats: (subject change upon modifications to make it an automatic rifle)

  • Damage Type: Ballistic and Energy
  • Damage output: 20 Ballistic and 20 Energy (40 total)
  • Ammo: Plasma Cartridge and Ultracite Plasma Cartridge if made prime
  • Fire Rate: 33
  • Clip: 30
  • Weight: 3

Recommended Legendary Attributes: (It's already Legendary. Here are the effects)

  • Anti-Armor
  • Lucky
  • Reduced weight

What The Slug Buster Excels In:

  • Uses less ap
  • VATS
  • Critical Hit

 7. The Handmade (Best for no VATS builds)

If using VATS isn't on the table for you, it's a great weapon. You can get the plans for Toxic Valley creatures as a random drop or find them at a vendor.

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: 20
  • Ammo: 5.56 or Ultracite 5.56 if you make it prime
  • Fire Rate: 40
  • Clip: 20
  • Weight: 8

Recommended  Legendary Attributes:

  • Armor Piercing
  • Two-Shot
  • Explosive
  • What THe Handmade Excels In:
  • Manual aiming

8. Tesla Rifle (Best for blast damage)

The electricity from the fusion cell will arch damage a nearby target. The damage passed between targets is 100%, and you will need the automatic barrel to modify. You can get the plans at the Watoga Shopping Plaza.

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Energy
  • Damage output: 78 (Decreases when automatic)
  • Ammo: Fusion Cells
  • Fire Rate: 20 (increases when automatic)
  • Clip: 15
  • Weight: 8

Recommended Legendary Attributes:

  • Furious
  • Two-Shot
  • Troubleshooter's (if you want to do damage to robots)
  • What The Tesla Rifle Excels In:
  • Damage to multiple enemies
  • Damage to robots

9. The Fixer (Best for stealth) 

This gun is the best commando weapon for sneaking and getting extra damage bonuses. You can get it from the ``Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" quest.

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Ballistic
  • Damage output: 48
  • Ammo: .45 or Ultracite .45 if you make it prime.
  • Fire Rate: 33
  • Clip: 20
  • Weight: 13.8

Recommended Legendary Attributes:

  • You can make it legendary, and the attributes added won't take away the bonuses already included with the gun.
  • 25% damage while aiming if you don't use VATS
  • Critical Hit Damage if you do use VATS

What The Fixer Excels In:

  • Stealth
  • Sneak damage

10.  Automatic Laser Rifle (Best for Robots)

Make sure to get the Stabilized Automatic Barrel Mod. The best way to obtain that is to scrap laser rifles every chance you get. If you can get your hands on a legacy explosive one that would be will be epic.

Item Stats:

  • Damage Type: Energy
  • Damage output: 41
  • Ammo: Fusion Cells, Ultracite
  • Fire Rate: 91
  • Clip: 30
  • Weight: 3

Recommended Legendary Attributes:

  • Troubleshooter's
  • Quadruple ammo capacity
  • What the Automatic Laser Rifle Excels In:
  • Damage to Assaultrons, Gutsy's, Protectron, Sentry Bot, and RoboBrain

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In a epic adventure Amanda is a looter. In her natural environment she will over encumber herself and loose the ability to fast travel. Slowly jumping to the nearest merchant.
Gamer Since: 2000
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Currently Playing: Fallout 76
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