Looking to dominate every firefight in Modern Warfare 3? The Holger 556, a powerhouse assault rifle unlocked at rank 37, has quickly become the go-to weapon for players seeking lethal versatility across all ranges. With the right loadout and class build, this gun’s impressive damage, accuracy, and recoil control can be maximized to outgun opponents on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox alike. Dive into our expert guide to discover the best attachments, perks, and gear that turn the Holger 556 into an unstoppable force on the battlefield before the meta shifts again.
Here’s the best Holger 556 loadout we’ve found so far in MW3, and how to unlock the Holger 556 in the first place. If it doesn’t take your fancy, though, our list of the best guns can offer some alternatives.
How to unlock the Holger 556 in MW3
To unlock the Holger 556 in Modern Warfare 3, you need to reach player level 37. You can earn XP and level up by playing any game mode you prefer, including Multiplayer, Warzone, or Zombies, and completing challenges or matches. Once you hit level 37, the Holger 556 will become available to equip in your custom loadouts, allowing you to start customizing and upgrading it with attachments.
To unlock the Holger 556 in Modern Warfare 3, you must reach level 37. This is another gun that can be unlocked solely through leveling up, as opposed to the brand new armory unlocks system.
Since the Holger 556 is unlocked approximately halfway through the ranking up process in Modern Warfare 3, it’s a solid option once you’re bored of the SVA 545, which is the first assault rifle you unlock and one of the best in the game.
You won’t get your hands on the MCW for several more ranks either, and while the BAS-B is also excellent, it is much more effective at long range than the Holger 556.
Best Holger 556 loadout in MW3
The best Holger 556 loadout in Modern Warfare 3 maximizes the rifle’s impressive base stats by focusing on attachments that enhance range, recoil control, accuracy, and bullet velocity. Key attachments include the Monolithic Suppressor or L4R Flash Hider for muzzle control, RB Addle Assault Stock for improved handling, and 5.56 High Velocity rounds to boost bullet speed. Optics like the Slate Reflector or MK.3 Reflector help maintain clear sightlines, while underbarrel grips such as the SL Skeletal Vertical Grip or Morn-20 Grip further stabilize recoil. This setup makes the Holger 556 a versatile powerhouse capable of dominating in close to long-range engagements with minimal recoil and fast time-to-kill, making it a top choice for competitive play in MW3.
Here is the best Holger 556 loadout in Modern Warfare 3:
- Muzzle: Echoline GS-X
- Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
- Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector
- Stock: RB Addle Assault Stock
- Rear Grip: Morn-20 Grip
Usually, optimizing your assault rifle for mid-long range engagements is the way forward, because you can maximize your damage output that way. However, not with the Holger 556. You want to reduce the recoil as much as possible, but this is a gun suited to mobility more than it is posting up and picking enemies off from afar.
As a result, these attachments are geared towards trying to strike a balance. The Echoline GS-X muzzle has the benefit of making your gunshots undetectable by radar, along with some additional stability to your firing aim.
The XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop underbarrel grip buffs both the vertical recoil and ADS speed to counter the RB Addle Assault Stock, slightly reducing the ADS speed in favor of lots of recoil control.
Overall, this build is quite flexible so you can change out any attachments that aren’t working for you, but it fits well with the nature of the Holger 556.
Best Holger 556 class in MW3
The best Holger 556 class in Modern Warfare 3 combines attachments and perks that maximize the weapon’s range, recoil control, and accuracy, making it a versatile and powerful choice for all combat scenarios. Key attachments include the Monolithic Suppressor for stealth and sound suppression, RB Addle Assault Stock for improved mobility, SL Skeletal Vertical Grip for recoil control, 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds to boost bullet velocity and damage, and the Slate Reflector optic for clear sight picture. Complementing this setup with the Gunner Vest for faster reloads and dual primary weapon handling, Quick-Grip Gloves for swift weapon swaps, Ghost T/V Camo for stealth, plus Stun and Frag Grenades, ensures dominance in close to medium-range firefights. This loadout provides smooth handling and minimal recoil, making the Holger 556 a top-tier assault rifle in MW3 multiplayer.
Here is the best class to use alongside the Holger 556 in Modern Warfare 3:
- Vest: CCT Comms Vest
- Secondary: Renetti (with Jak Ferocity Carbine conversion kit)
- Field Upgrade: Dead Silence
- Gloves: Assault Gloves
- Boots: Stalker Boots
- Gear: Ghost T/V Camo
- Gear: Blacklight Flashlight
With a silenced Holger 556, your best bet is to take advantage of that stealth playstyle. The Dead Silence field upgrade will mask your footstep sounds when enabled, and you can increase its duration by getting kills with it active, while the Ghost T/V Camo shields you from UAVs
You’ll be fairly mobile too with the Stalker Boots and Assault Gloves, although you can go for the Marksman Gloves if they’re preferred. You can also switch out the Stalker Boots for the Covert Sneakers, and also swap Dead Silence for an ACS, meaning you’ll still get mostly the same benefits.
One of the biggest curveballs with this class is the CCT Comms Vest, which increases the duration enemies stay on your radar for, and means enemies drop an intel pack upon death. Collecting this will generate a radar ping for you and any nearby allies. Equip the Blacklight Flashlight in the second gear slot and voila – you can now stalk your enemies from behind.
How can I maximize the Holger 556’s damage and recoil control in MW3
To maximize the Holger 556’s damage and recoil control in Modern Warfare 3, consider the following optimized loadout and attachments:
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Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – boosts damage range and suppresses sound, aiding stealth and damage consistency.
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Stock: RB Addle Assault Stock – significantly improves recoil control and gun kick control, stabilizing the weapon during sustained fire.
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Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical Grip – enhances ADS speed, vertical recoil control, and sprint-to-fire speed, helping to manage recoil without sacrificing too much mobility.
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Ammunition: 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds – increases damage and range, further improving the Holger’s lethality at mid to long ranges.
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Optic: Slate Reflector – provides a clear sight picture for better accuracy at various distances.
This combination balances increased damage and superior recoil management, making the Holger 556 highly effective in close to medium-range engagements with smooth handling and minimal recoil.
Alternatively, for even stronger recoil control, some players recommend the Bruen Heavy Support Grip underbarrel and the VT7 Spirit Fire Suppressor muzzle, which further smooth out recoil and increase bullet velocity, ideal for long-range dominance.
Overall, focusing on recoil-controlling stocks and grips combined with high-damage ammunition is key to maximizing both damage output and recoil control on the Holger 556 in MW3.
What is the best combination of attachments for damage and recoil control in MW3
The best combination of attachments to maximize both damage and recoil control in Modern Warfare 3 involves pairing one muzzle attachment that reduces vertical recoil with one underbarrel attachment that reduces horizontal recoil. For example:
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Muzzle: Compensator – provides the strongest vertical recoil reduction and some horizontal recoil control, though it slightly reduces ADS speed.
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Underbarrel: Muzzle Brake – offers the best horizontal recoil reduction, complementing the compensator’s vertical control. Alternatively, the Merc Foregrip is excellent for vertical recoil and hipfire accuracy but slightly affects ADS and movement.
Stacking one vertical-recoil-improving attachment with one horizontal-recoil-improving attachment is optimal, as stacking two of the same recoil type leads to diminishing returns.
Additionally, for recoil control and damage range, some players recommend:
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Stock: RB Regal Heavy Stock or RB Addle Assault Stock – both improve recoil control and gun kick.
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Ammunition: High grain rounds or similar to boost damage and range.
This balanced setup ensures the weapon handles like a laser beam with minimal recoil while maintaining strong damage output, making it highly effective across various engagements in MW3.
