The Ultimate Rifle Calibers for a Perfect Hunting Season

It goes without saying that hunters often have a favorite rifle, as in one rifle that they use for all purposes. In many cases, this can work, but in other cases, you need to consider different calibers based on what you are hunting. The most important thing any hunter learns early on is that having the right ammunition is key to taking down an animal in the cleanest possible way. 

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Ruger Compact Magnum is 3,225 ft-lbs. of energy (180-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,840 ft. per second (180-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game species (including moose, mule deer, pronghorn, and elk).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 28 Nosler is 3,275 ft-lbs. of energy (162-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 3,017 ft. per second (162-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game species (including American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, and elk).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Winchester Short Magnum is 3,290 ft-lbs. of energy (165-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,997 ft. per second (165-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American and large African games (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, zebra, and wildebeest).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Winchester Magnum is 3,297 ft-lbs. of energy (195-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,760 ft. per second (195-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American and large African games (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, zebra, and wildebeest). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is five.

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Ruger Compact Magnum is 3,313 ft-lbs. of energy (225-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,575 ft. per second (225-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including American bison, moose, and elk).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 376 Steyr is 3,373 ft-lbs. of energy (270-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,372 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North African game (including wildebeest and cape buffalo).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Weatherby Magnum is 3,491 ft-lbs. of energy (200-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,804 ft. per second (200-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, moose, elk, and caribou).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Winchester Magnum is 3,540 ft-lbs. of energy (225-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,662 ft. per second (225-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game and large African game (including wildebeest, crocodile, zebra, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, and caribou).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 PRC is 3,620 ft-lbs. of energy (225-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,692 ft. per second (225-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including mule deer, pronghorn, and elk).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 404 Jeffery is 3,717 ft-lbs. of energy (400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,046 ft. per second (400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African game (including wildebeest, warthog, and cape buffalo).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum is 3,736 ft-lbs. of energy (220-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,766 ft. per second (220-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including moose, brown bear, and elk).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 450 Nitro Express 3.25 is 3,769 ft-lbs. of energy (480-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,150 ft. per second (480-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large and dangerous African and Indian game.

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 458 Winchester Magnum is 3,924 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,880 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African and North American game (including cape buffalo and American bison).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 375 H & H Magnum is 3,935 ft-lbs. of energy (370-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,562 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African and North American game (including warthog, wildebeest, and American bison).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 470 Nitro Express is 3,945 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,885 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for dangerous game hunting in Africa and India.

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 416 Rigby is 3,977 ft-lbs. of energy (400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,116 ft. per second (400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for dangerous game hunting in Africa and India.

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 30-378 Weatherby Magnum is 4,043 ft-lbs. of energy (220-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,877 ft. per second (220-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American game (including elk, moose, caribou, and brown bear).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 375 Ruger is 4,052 ft-lbs. of energy (270-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,600 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American and African game species (including elk, moose, American bison, warthog, and wildebeest).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 416 Remington Magnum is 4,075 ft-lbs. of energy (300 & 400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,142 ft. per second (300 & 400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American and African game species (including cape buffalo, moose, and American bison).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Lapua Magnum is 4,362 ft-lbs. of energy (285-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,626 ft. per second (285-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American game species (including elk and American bison).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 500 Nitro Express 3″ is 4,518 ft-lbs. of energy (570-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,889 ft. per second (570-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large African game species (including cape buffalo).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 458 Lott is 4,569 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,029 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large African game species (including cape buffalo).

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 450 Rigby is 4,775 ft-lbs. of energy (480-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,112 ft. per second (480-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large and dangerous African game species.

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 50 BMG is 12,386 ft-lbs. of energy (750-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,727 ft. per second (750-grain bullet). This weapon is not recommended for hunting.