1 Kerry claims this is an "antique" weapon. It is not, unless the individual one he owns is. The design began being produced in the late 1800s, but were still being made by the Communist chinese until fairly recently. If your definition of "assault rifle" includes being a powerful, military rifle of fairly recent manufacture, then this is an assault rifle. It fires a 7.62x54 round, with power similar to the 30-06, which is widely regarded as being enough bullet to use on big game. It is about 50% more powerful than the 223 or 7.62x39(AK47) rounds. This weapon is easily capable of being fired 5 times in ten seconds. I personnally own one just like it. I do not hunt, but if I did, it would certainly be a satisfactory hunting rifle. Funny how leftists claim an assault rifle is bad, yet here is an ultra-leftist with one of his own! Sort of like Diane Feinstein wanting to ban guns, while she walks around with her armed bodyguards.