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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The '''Heavy Bolter''' (also known as ''Back Breaker''{{Fn|15}}) is an enormous version of the [[Boltgun]]. Of much larger size and weight, the heavy bolter fires powerful armour-piercing fist-sized bolts at the enemy with a staggering rate of fire.{{Fn|6}}{{Fn|7}}
==Description==The heavy bolter is generally used for anti-infantry or fire support roles, also known as the "Back Breaker" or the "Bruiser" by the crew who have to carry it because of its great weight - but also because of the heavy punishment it can deal out to the enemy.{{Fn|1}} It fires a round of .998{{Fn|35}} to 1.00 inch calibre,{{Fn|29}} considerably larger than that of the standard [[bolter]] shell, with more propellant and longer range and higher stopping power, making it capable of destroying light vehicles.{{Fn|5}}{{Fn|8}} Because of its high rate of fire, jamming is often a problem.{{Fn|5}} Like all [[bolt weapons]], heavy bolters require regular maintenance and ancient litanies to appease their spirits.{{Fn|5}} It is seldom seen outside military organizations.{{Fn|8}} The heavy bolter's rate of fire is dependant on its role. Crew-served designs have a rate of fire of three shots a second,{{Fn|34}} while those mounted on a vehicle have a rate of fire of 850 rounds per minute.{{Fn|30}} Voidborne heavy bolters like those mounted on [[attack craft]]s like the [[Faustus Interceptor|Faustus]] have a rate of fire of a thousand rounds a second.{{Fn|31}}
[[Image:HeavyBolterSM2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Primaris Space Marine]] Heavy Bolter{{Fn|27}}]]
The most modern version of the heavy bolter in wide spread use is the '''Astartes Mk Ivc'''. The weapon goes through rounds very quickly using either a disintegrating belt or 40-round high capacity box magazine.{{Fn|4}}
===Executor Heavy Bolter===
The '''Executor Heavy Bolter''' is a pattern of heavy bolter used by [[Primaris Space Marine]] [[Heavy Intercessor]]s.{{Fn|20}} It fires .998 calibre bolt rounds and is equipped with a shot selector, allowing a switch to a different ammunition type, like non-penetrating high-explosive bolt-rounds primed for early detonation..{{Fn|32}}
[[Image:ExecutorHeavyBolter.jpg|thumb|center|220px|[[Salamanders]] [[Heavy Intercessor]] with Executor Heavy Bolter{{Fn|2}}]]
===Godwyn Pattern===
[[Image:Heavy Bolter Godwin.jpg|thumb|250px|center|997AV Godwyn Pattern pintle-mounted{{Fn|3}}]]
The '''Godwyn Pattern Heavy Bolter''' is mounted on the [[Land Speeder]]. It fires .998 calibre bolt rounds and is supplied by an auto-feed.{{Fn|33}}
===Hellstorm Heavy Bolter===
*{{Endn|27}}: [[Space Marine II]] - Armoury
*{{Endn|28}}: [[Dominion Genesis (Novel)]], ''The Almagest'', Chapter Two
*{{Endn|29}}: [[Legion of the Damned (Novel)]], Chapter Eighteen
*{{Endn|30}}: [[Flesh and Iron (Novel)]], Chapter Six
*{{Endn|31}}: [[First and Only (Novel)]] — [[The Founding (Omnibus)]], Part One
*{{Endn|32}}: [[Carcharodons: Void Exile (Novel)]], Chapter XXVII
*{{Endn|33}}: [[The Last Hunt (Novel)]], Chapter Seven
*{{Endn|34}}: [[The Infinite and the Divine (Novel)]], Act Four, Chapter Five
*{{Endn|35}}: [[Dawn of War III (Novel)]], Chapter Eleven