Which firearm type is specifically designed to utilize a cartridge?

A rifle is specifically designed to utilize a cartridge, which is a combination of the bullet, gunpowder, and primer encased in a metal shell. This design allows rifles to achieve higher velocities and greater range compared to firearms that do not use cartridges.

Rifles have a rifled barrel, which means they have grooves that impart a spin to the bullet, enhancing stability and accuracy during flight. This characteristic is essential for the effective use of rifle cartridges, which are created to be fired from such firearms.

While shotguns, revolvers, and pistols also use cartridges, they are different types of firearms with specific designs and intended uses. Shotguns are primarily designed for firing shotshells, which contain multiple small pellets rather than single bullets. Revolvers and pistols are types of handguns that can use cartridges but are not categorized as firearms specifically designed for a cartridge in the same context as rifles, particularly with regards to the rifle's precision and long-range capabilities. Thus, rifles are the most representative of firearms that are specifically designed for this purpose.