Learn how to craft and use the Pipe Rifle
When you first start out in 7 Days to Die, the player will have almost nothing to their name and no weapons with which to defend themselves. The Pipe Rifle is better than nothing, but not by much. This scrap-hewn weapon is weak, loud, slow to reload, inaccurate on the move, and can only carry a single round. Functionally, this weapon carries all of the negative traits of the Hunting Rifle with none of the benefits.
This guide will walk you through crafting a Pipe Rifle in 7 Days to Die and offer some advice on utilizing it best.
How to craft a Pipe Rifle in 7 Days to Die
The process of turning scrap parts into a Pipe Rifle is simple and will only require a few components. The amount of crafting materials required will depend on the quality of the firearm being constructed:
| Material | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Iron Pipe | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Glue | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Wood | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Rifles Crafting Skill | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
- Short Iron Pipes can be crafted from Forged Iron or salvaged from numerous pipes, sinks, fridges, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures.
- Glue can be scavenged from chemicals or parts containers or may be crafted from Bones and clean water at a Campfire or Chemistry Station.
- Wood can be gathered by looting trash, smashing wooden structures, or chopping trees and shrubs.
- The Rifles crafting skill can only be improved by finding and reading issues of the Rifle World skill magazine.
Pipe Rifle Overview
Base Stats
| Property | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magazine Size | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Effective Range | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Max Durability | 100 | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 | 200 |
| Mod Slots | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Ammo
The Pipe Rifle is chambered in powerful 7.62 rounds, of which there are 3 kinds: Standard, HiPower (HP), and Armor Piercing (AP). The damage of each quality of weapon is determined by what ammo the player has loaded into it.
Damage By Ammo Type
| Ammo Type | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62 | 44 | 46.1 | 48.4 | 50.6 | 52.8 | 55 |
| HiPower 7.62 | 49 | 51.4 | 53.9 | 56.3 | 58.8 | 61.2 |
| AP 7.62 | 54 | 56.7 | 59.4 | 62.1 | 64.8 | 67.5 |
7.62mm Ammo
Crafting 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench and the following materials:
- 1 Bullet Tip
- 3 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
HiPower 7.62mm Ammo
Crafting HiPower 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench, that the player has read the Sniper Vol. 7 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 3 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
AP 7.62mm Ammo
Crafting AP 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench, that the player has read the Sniper Vol. 6 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 5 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
Mods
The Pipe Rifle accepts the following mods. Note that only one mod of any category may be attached at a time except accessory mods.
- Barrel: Barrel Extender, Muzzle Brake, Silencer
- Sights: Reflex, Scope x2, Scope x4, Scope x8
- Accessory: Cripple ‘Em, Fore Grip, Bipod
- Tech: The Hunter, Rad Remover
- Rail: Laser Sight, Weapon Flashlight
- Stock: Retracting Stock
Tips and tricks for using the Pipe Rifle
As a member of the Rifle weapon class, the Pipe Rifle scales in power with the player’s Perception attribute and the Deadeye perk.
The Pipe Rifle is a bit of a mess regarding general use. This rifle can be somewhat effective when utilized as a sniper weapon. However, in almost any other circumstance, you will be better off switching to a more versatile weapon
A high-quality Pipe Rifle can deal enough damage to put down basic enemies with a single round, but typically only if you score a headshot. Seeing as this weapon can only carry one round at a time, it’s best to aim for the head anyway to make each shot worthwhile before the long reload. That being said, don’t expect one shot to bring down larger, tougher, and better-armored enemies.
The Pipe Rifle is laughably inaccurate when fired from the hip or while moving. Each shot will need to be carefully lined up, and players are better off waiting a moment or two before firing for their crosshair to tighten to acceptable accuracy.
The aiming speed of this weapon can be increased by attaching a bipod, laser sight, or foregrip. Though it is possible to use this rifle without a scope, we strongly recommend attaching a high-magnification sight, if available, to increase your chances of hitting what you are aiming at.
The Pipe Rifle is a breakover weapon, much like the Pipe Shotgun and Double Barrel Shotgun. This means it needs to be opened and manually reloaded by hand. However, the reload time for the weapon is quite long (around 6 seconds per shot.)
Due to the frequency with which users will be reloading and the excruciatingly slow animation, we strongly suggest strapping a Bandolier Mod onto your armor and investing in the Deadeye perk to decrease the time between shots. The Run and Gun perk in the Agility tree can also help keep you alive since you may need to retreat while you reload.
Due to its single-shot magazine and terrible mobility, we strongly advise against using this weapon indoors, while moving, or when facing crowds. If you insist on using the Pipe Rifle in these scenarios anyway, be sure to fit your weapon with a foregrip, laser sight, and/or retractable stock, as well as a reflex sight for quick target acquisition. Additionally, investing in the Penetrator perk and loading AP ammo can help you get more out of each shot.
Final thoughts on the Pipe Rifle
Early-game snipers and Perception characters don’t have many choices regarding decent weapons. The Pipe Rifle isn’t useless, but its efficacy will depend heavily on the player’s aim and skill level. The Fun Pimps wanted to balance each pipe gun to only be able to play to its one strength, but when it comes to facing down a blood moon horde, this weapon doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on.
Looking for some more pointers to help you survive 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started or our in-depth Beginner’s Guide.
