Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a tense PvPvE extraction shooter set in a monster-infested Louisiana bayou during the late 1800s. The 2024 engine upgrade to CryEngine 5.11 dramatically improved visuals and performance while adding the new Mammon's Gulch map. Every match drops 12 players (solos, duos, or trios) into a map where they hunt AI boss monsters while watching for other hunters doing the same. The permadeath system means losing a hunter erases all their equipped gear and earned traits, making every firefight genuinely nerve-wracking.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosin-Nagant | S | Long Ammo Sniper | The premier long ammo rifle dealing 136 damage per hit with excellent muzzle velocity. |
| Caldwell Rival 78 | A | Shotgun Rusher | A double-barrel shotgun that fires two shots rapidly. |
| Sparks LRR | A | Long Ammo Sniper | A single-shot long ammo rifle that deals 149 damage — leaving hunters at 1 HP after one body hit. |
| Winfield M1873C | B | Dual Pistol | A compact lever-action rifle that fits in a medium slot. |
| Romero 77 | B | Shotgun Rusher | The longest one-hit-kill range of any shotgun at about 15 meters. |
S-Tier: Mosin-Nagant
The premier long ammo rifle dealing 136 damage per hit with excellent muzzle velocity. Two upper-body hits kill any hunter. Available in multiple variants including Sniper (scoped), Obrez (compact), and Bayonet. Costs $490 base, making it a significant investment.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Long Ammo Sniper |
| Key Mechanic | bounty extraction |
| Recommended Role | Long Ammo Sniper |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Mosin-Nagant: Pairs naturally with Long Ammo Sniper thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Caldwell Rival 78
A double-barrel shotgun that fires two shots rapidly. While each shot deals less damage than the Romero, the ability to follow up instantly makes it more forgiving. Effective kill range is about 12 meters. Budget-friendly at $100.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Shotgun Rusher |
| Key Mechanic | dark sight |
| Recommended Role | Shotgun Rusher |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Caldwell Rival 78: Pairs naturally with Shotgun Rusher thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Sparks LRR
A single-shot long ammo rifle that deals 149 damage — leaving hunters at 1 HP after one body hit. Pairs perfectly with any fast-firing secondary to finish the kill. The single-shot reload is the main drawback. Costs $130, making it the best budget long ammo option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Long Ammo Sniper |
| Key Mechanic | trait system |
| Recommended Role | Dual Pistol |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Sparks LRR: Pairs naturally with Dual Pistol thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Winfield M1873C
A compact lever-action rifle that fits in a medium slot. With the Levering trait, it fires rapidly from the hip. The Winfield family uses compact ammo which is cheap and plentiful but drops off in damage at range. Best used as an aggressive mid-range option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Dual Pistol |
| Key Mechanic | permadeath |
| Recommended Role | Crossbow Stealth |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Winfield M1873C: Pairs naturally with Crossbow Stealth thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Romero 77
The longest one-hit-kill range of any shotgun at about 15 meters. It fires a single devastating blast and then requires a slow reload. The Romero Hatchet variant adds a melee blade for backup. At $34 it is the cheapest shotgun and arguably the most reliable.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Shotgun Rusher |
| Key Mechanic | sound traps |
| Recommended Role | Bomb Lance |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Romero 77: Pairs naturally with Bomb Lance thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Stillwater Bayou
- Caldwell Rival 78 → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Sparks LRR → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Mosin-Nagant → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- The Sparks + hand crossbow combo (known as 'Sparky') is one of the most lethal budget loadouts — Sparks body shot leaves 1 HP, then a quick hand crossbow bolt finishes the kill instantly.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Hunt: Showdown 1896 Guides
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Hunt: Showdown 1896 Overview
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Best Builds
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Tier List
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Walkthrough
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Beginner's Guide
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Tips & Tricks
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Combat Guide
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Boss Guide
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Maps & Locations
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Crafting Guide
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 Classes & Characters
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