When it comes to hunting, there is no shortage of options. From standard hunting calibers meant to take down whitetail deer to large-bore cartridges that can stop elephants, bears, and everything in between, all you have to do is decide which is the best big game caliber for your next hunting trip.
Throughout this article, weâll cover some of the most common big game hunting cartridgesâalthough this list is by no means exhaustive. Weâll give a basic overview of each cartridge and its pros and cons. So lock and load as we cover 18 of the best big game calibers and hunting cartridges.
Suitable Calibers For âSmall-Mediumâ Size Big Game
6.5mm Cartridges
.260 Remington
The .260 Remmington is a popular hunting and target shooting round that was introduced by Remington back in 1997. It uses a necked-down version of the .308. The round has been extremely popular, and it was even named the most popular caliber in the high-power hunting rifle competition during the 2014 NRA National Championship.
The .260 Remington is among the best big game calibers for hunting thin-skinned animals like antelope, sheep, goats, and caribou. And while the round is capable of bringing down larger game like moose and elk, it’s generally considered underpowered and better suited for hunting whitetails and mule deer.
6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a popular hunting round that was introduced by Hornady Manufacturing back in 2007. Like the 260 Remington, the 6.5 Creedmoor features a high ballistic coefficient making it a very capable round at long range. Shooting out of a Tubb 2000 bolt-action rifle, long-range shooter Ray âRayDogâ Sanchez stated that the 6.5 Creedmoor was boringly accurate at 1,000m. Our VLD hunting line of 6.5 Creedmoor bullets is designed to quickly and ethically take down animals with a combination of shrapnel and hydrostatic shock. Specifically designed for hunting at 300 yards or more, these rounds are a strong choice for big game hunters.
6.5 PRC
Compared to the rest of the rounds in the 6.5mm category, the 6.5 PRC is the new kid on the block. The 6.5 PRC is another innovation from Hornady Manufacturing. Officially introduced in 2018, the 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge. This round was originally developed for Precision Rifle Series competitions, this round uses the .375 Ruger parent case but is able to run neck and neck with the .264 Winchester Magnum thanks to its improved powder column. This improved design also allows for reduced recoil and improved barrel life.
.270 Caliber Cartridges
.270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester is a classic round that has been in production for nearly 100 years, and it has a long and storied history in the big game hunting community. Most notably, it was the preferred caliber of Jack OâConnor, who was not only one of the most prolific firearms writers of the Modern Era but arguably the most influential during his tenure as the editor of the arms and ammunition column of Outdoor Magazine.
Considering he took his custom Model 70 chambered in .270 Winchester across the world to hunt sheep, deer, and even elk, itâs no surprise that he touted it as one of the best big game calibers in the pages of his column. If you plan on hunting sheep then the .270 Winchester is worth considering. The round is also available in 150-grain weights for hunting elk, moose, and larger deer.
.270 Winchester Short Magnum
The .270 WSM is a newer cartridge that was released back in 2002. This cartridge was designed to be compatible with a short action and uses a shortened and wider version of the .300 Winchester Short Magnum cartridge. Overall, the .270 WSM provides moderate improvements over the original .270 Winchester. The .270 WSM offers a higher velocityâ250 fps on averageâand can be used in more compact rifles.
.284 Caliber Cartridges
7mm-08
If youâre looking for an all-around capable hunting round, then the 7mm-08 might just be the cartridge youâre looking for. This extremely popular round was based on the .308 and delivers exceptional results across a variety of hunting environments. But thanks to the smaller diameter of the 7mm bullet, this round has a better ballistic coefficient and flatter trajectory than some other rounds based on the .308.
The 7mm-08 is going to perform well across a variety of skill levels. Whether youâre an experienced hunter, completely new to shooting, or planning on taking your children on their first hunt, this round is going to deliver the results youâre looking for.
7mm Remington Magnum
Another strong contender for the best big game caliber is the 7mm Remington Magnum. Introduced back in 1962, this round is based on the .375 H&H Magnum and is a high-velocity round capable of quickly bringing down larger animals.
Choice Ammunition offers several different lines of 7mm Remington Magnum for hunters, including the Hornady Super Shock Tip which is specifically designed to create large wound channels through extreme shock and controlled expansion.
.308 Caliber Cartridges
.300 Blackout
The .300 blackout is one of the most popular cartridges for modern sporting rifles and is always in the conversation when it comes to debating the best big game caliber. Originally released by the Advanced Armament Corporation in 2010, itâs designed to deliver the ballistics of the Russian 7.62x39mm in a cartridge that fits the standard AR-15 magazine. T.300 Blackout really shines when paired with a suppressor. Subsonic 300 Blackout rounds and a suppressor are a perfect combo to take down feral hogs at distances under 150 yards. The slower velocities and heavier bullets associated with 300 Blackout make for a whisper-quiet punch at shorter distances.
30-30 Winchester
For more than a century, the 30-30 Winchester has been a staple of the deer hunting community, and for good reason. The 30-30 Winchester is one of the best big game caliber cartridges available for classic lever-action rifles. If you frequent wooded areas and prefer hunting at close-medium ranges, then this cartridge will serve you very well. Since most rifles chambered in 30-30 tend to be lever-action rather than bolt-action, hunters will have an easier time firing follow-up shots if needed. Despite all the newer cartridges bursting onto the scene, the 30-30 Winchester has remained popular as a reliable go-to round.
.300 Winchester Magnum
The .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular cartridges for hunting big game like elk and bears and has the potential to be the best big game caliber. This powerhouse is capable of delivering high-velocity shots and maximum stopping power at long range. Itâs offered in a variety of grain weights to meet a variety of needs. If you prefer a flatter trajectory, then a .300 Winchester Magnum at 165-grain weight will give you what youâre looking for. On the other hand, 200 grains or more will hit harder. It truly all depends on what your preferences are.
.300 PRC
Another newcomer that deserves its place among the best big game caliber cartridges, the .300 PRC was introduced by Hornady back in 2018 and quickly picked up by the Department of Defense for long-range sniping missions. But itâs not only useful for military applications. The .300 PRC was purpose-built to extract the highest levels of accuracy and aerodynamic performance possible from the long, heavy 30-caliber bullets. And it succeeds with consistency. When discussing the best big game caliber cartridges available, the .300 PRC deserves some consideration.
Suitable Calibers For âLargeâ Size Big Game
.338 Lapua
A list discussing the best big game calibers wouldnât be complete without mentioning the .338 Lapua. This round was not originally made for hunting big game. It was actually designed for military snipers back in the 1980s. And once the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were in full swing, the round was more widely produced. The .338 Lapua proved its usefulness in the military arenaâit was capable of piercing better-than-standard body armor at 1000 metersâand big game hunters soon began adopting it. The round has an impressive maximum effective range of 1750 meters (just over a mile).
Safari Calibers
.375 H&H Magnum
The .375 H&H Magnum is another cartridge revered by the great Jack OâConnor as well as other shooting legends such as Elmer Keith and John âPondoroâ Taylor. Jack described this round as the âQueen of medium bores,â which is a pretty strong endorsement. Due to its ability to take down all of the Big Five game animals, the .375 H&H magnum deserves its place in any conversation about the best big game caliber cartridges.
.416 Remington Magnum
The .416 Remmington is a powerful hunting cartridge meant to be used against dangerous big game animals like Elephants, Cape Buffalo, and bears. Introduced in 1989, this bottle-neck round has been praised as one of the best all-around huntingâand one of the best big game caliber cartridgesâavailable to the public. The .416 Remington Magnum delivers high energy, velocity, and penetration at a distance, making it an ideal cartridge for hunting on open plains.
Straight Wall Calibers
450 Bushmaster
The 450 Bushmaster is a large-bore cartridge designed to be compatible with modern sporting rifles like the AR-15. The original goal of the 450 Bushmaster was to deliver a one-shot kill to dangerous big game. In addition to its tremendous stopping power, the 450 Bushmaster is legal for use in states where bottle-neck cartridges are prohibited for hunting. And while it was originally intended to take down bears and other dangerous game, itâs a good option for hunting whitetail deer as well. If youâre looking for the best big game caliber cartridge to use in an AR-15 build then you should seriously consider the 450 Bushmaster.
350 Legend
When states across the U.S. started passing restrictive laws prohibiting the use of bottle-necked ammunition for hunting, the ammo industry jumped into action to provide a solid workaround. This led to the release of the 350 Legend back in 2019. This straight-wall deer hunting round packs enough punch to bring down any deer within 250 yards, and itâs a popular choice for those who want to hunt with their AR-15.
45-70 Government
Originally used by the U.S. Army during the American Civil War, the 45-70 Government was an instant hit with outdoorsmen following the cartridgeâs retirement at the end of the conflict. This lower-velocity, heavier grain weight round is powerful enough to bring down any big game in America. And given the bullet has the proper load, it can even bring down the Big Five game animals in Africa. Ammo manufacturers have continued to modify the 45-70 government to meet modern needs due to its popularity, making it one of the best big game calibers available.
44 Magnum
The 44 Magnum is an extremely versatile cartridge that was designed to bring down medium and large size game. This cartridge is commonly associated with revolvers, and in recent years, manufacturers started making revolvers chambered in 44 Magnum with longer barrels. This helped increase the cartridgeâs already impressive velocity, making it an appealing option among the best big game calibers for straight-wall hunters.
Getting The Right Ammo For Your Next Hunt
There are numerous different cartridges that are suitable for hunting large game. From the time-honored .30-30 Winchester to the potent .338 Lapua Magnum, every cartridge could be the best big game caliber cartridge depending on the circumstances of your hunt. The type of game you will be hunting, the terrain you will be hunting in, and your individual shooting preferences should all be taken into account when selecting a hunting cartridge.
There isnât a one-size-fits-all answer that we can give to help you choose the best big game caliber for you. Instead, there are a variety of strong big game hunting cartridges that are the best at what they do.
If you are looking for high-quality hunting ammunition, then Choice Ammunition is your one-stop shop!
We offer a wide selection of cartridges that are hand loaded with proprietary formulas created by our load development experts. Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just starting out, we have the perfect cartridge for your next hunting trip. Only take the best ammo available with you on your next trip. Happy hunting!
