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

Amanda Wilson

Updated:

25 Mar 2022

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: