You're running through the brush, out of breath, and a group of finger-monsters is closing in. Your bow is great for stealth, sure, but sometimes you just want to delete something from across a lake. That’s where the rifle comes in. It’s easily the most powerful long-range tool in Sons of the Forest, yet a surprising number of players stick to the shotgun because the rifle is tucked away in a dark, wet corner of the map that most people skip.
Honestly, the rifle changes the entire vibe of the endgame.
It isn't just about the damage numbers, though those are beefy. It’s about the reach. While the shotgun dominates up close, the rifle allows you to pick off high-threat targets before they even realize you’ve entered their zip code. But getting it? That’s a whole different story involving a very specific cave and a lot of claustrophobia.
Where to find the rifle in Sons of the Forest
Most people think you can just stumble upon the best loot while exploring the surface. Nope. Not this time. To get your hands on the rifle Sons of the Forest hides from you, you have to head to the northeast side of the island. Specifically, you’re looking for a large lake nestled right at the foot of the snow-capped mountains.
There’s a cave entrance there. It’s often referred to as the Cultist Cave or the Rifle Cave by the community. Look for some wooden boards blocking an entrance near the water’s edge. If you see two dead cultists outside—one slumped over and another nearby—you’re in the right spot.
What you need before going in
Don't just run in with a torch and a dream.
You absolutely need the Rebreather. If you don't have it, turn around right now. The cave is heavily flooded, and you’ll drown long before you see a muzzle flash. You also want a decent light source, like the Flashlight, because the flare light reflects weirdly off the wet cave walls and makes it hard to spot the mutants lurking in the shadows.
The cave is linear, but it’s long. You’ll be swimming through narrow underwater passages where the game’s lighting gets really moody. It’s easy to get disoriented. Once you surface in the main chamber, keep your eyes peeled for the hanging bodies. The rifle is leaning against a crate next to a dead soldier deeper in.
The actual stats: Why this gun hits differently
Let’s talk performance. The rifle uses .338 Tactical Ammo. This isn't the stuff you find in every yellow crate scattered along the beach. It’s rare. Because the ammo is scarce, you can’t treat this like a submachine gun.
The damage output is high enough to one-shot most standard cannibals if you land a headshot. Even the bigger "Creepy Armor" mutants take a massive hit to their health bars. The rifle comes with an integrated scope that provides a clean, 1x or 2x zoom (roughly speaking), which is perfect for scouting camps from a ridge.
One thing the game doesn't explicitly tell you: the projectile has travel time.
If you’re trying to snip a moving target at the edge of your render distance, you have to lead the shot. It’s not hitscan. This adds a layer of skill that the shotgun lacks. You’ll find that the recoil is significant, too. After pulling the trigger, your vision will jump toward the cave ceiling, so follow-up shots require a steady hand and a second to reset your aim.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
A lot of players complain that the rifle is "bad" because of the fire rate. It’s a bolt-action weapon. Of course it’s slow. If you get swarmed by six muddy cannibals in a dense forest, the rifle is the worst tool in your inventory. You'll get staggered before you can even cycle the bolt.
It’s a specialized tool.
I’ve seen people try to use it inside the smaller bunkers. Bad move. The reload animation is deliberate and leaves you wide open. Use it for "de-nesting"—sitting on a cliffside and picking off the heavy hitters in a village before moving in with your axe or shotgun to clean up the rest.
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Another point of confusion is the ammo. You cannot craft .338 Tactical Ammo. You have to find it. It spawns semi-reliably in skin pouches and high-end military crates, but if you’re a "spray and pray" type of player, you’re going to run dry in ten minutes. Save the rifle for the bosses or the gold-masked giants that give you the most trouble.
Making the most of the scope
The scope on the rifle is fixed. You can't swap it out for a red dot or a high-powered sniper lens like you might in a more traditional shooter. However, the clarity is excellent. Even in the foggy, rain-soaked weather that the island loves to throw at you, the glass remains relatively clear.
- Tip: Use the rifle to scout. Even if you don't fire, the zoom is better than the binoculars for identifying exactly what kind of mutants are guarding a specific Point of Interest.
- Distance matters: If you fire from far enough away, the AI often struggles to pathfind to your location immediately. You can get two or three shots off before they even start charging.
- Conservation: If you're low on ammo, swap back to the Crossbow for regular patrols. The Crossbow uses recoverable bolts and serves a similar long-range role, albeit with much more projectile drop.
The endgame utility
As you get closer to the finale of the story, the enemy density spikes. You’ll encounter "fingers," "twins," and the massive "brutes" much more frequently. Having the rifle Sons of the Forest provides gives you a tactical edge in the final bunkers where hallway sightlines are long and clear.
Endgame players often overlook the rifle because they get comfortable with the Katana or the Shotgun. But the rifle is the only weapon that truly respects the "survival" part of survival horror by allowing you to maintain distance. Distance is life.
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If you’re playing on Hard or Hardcore Survival mode, the rifle becomes almost mandatory for certain encounters. The health pools on enemies in those modes are massive. Melee becomes a death sentence when a single hit from a mutant can strip half your armor. Being able to put a high-caliber round through a mutant’s head from 50 yards away isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity.
Actionable steps for your next session
If you’re ready to go grab it, here is exactly how to handle the trip.
First, check your inventory for the Rebreather and at least two air tanks. You don't want to run out of oxygen halfway through a submerged tunnel. Next, head to the northeast lake. It’s the one fed by the waterfalls coming off the mountain.
Once you enter the cave, stay to the right. The cave branches a bit, but the path to the rifle is generally the one that leads deeper and stays wet. After you find the dead soldier and snag the gun, don't forget to look around the immediate area for a couple of ammo boxes. They almost always spawn right next to the weapon.
When you exit the cave, head straight to a nearby bunker or a safe house. Save your game. The trip back can be dangerous since you've likely spent a lot of resources (and light) inside. From there, keep that rifle tucked away for the big fights. Don't waste those precious .338 rounds on a single hungry cannibal who’s just trying to steal your dried meat. Save them for the things that actually scare you.