Rifles have been around for centuries, dating back to the 1600s. Over the decades, they have seen many advancements and evolved with the times. However, the purpose of these guns has remained consistent; that is, hunting. Though no longer necessary to our survival, hunting continues to be a popular activity.

One way to choose a hunting rifle is based on caliber, which has a direct effect on the gun’s performance and precision. Hunters may select their specific rifle based on the game they are hunting. For example, small caliber weapons will not be powerful enough to take down massive animals like moose. Likewise, a large caliber rifle is beyond capable of killing small animals like squirrels and would be overkill for this type of game.

Using ballistics data on 92 rifle different calibers, compiled by outdoor gear retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most powerful hunting rifles. The 30 rifles on this list are ranked by estimated foot-pounds of energy delivered at a range of 100 yards. For each caliber, we selected the bullet weight, or grain, that delivers the most force at 100 yards. This ranking does not account for variations in barrel length and is based on a limited, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of available bullet weights. 

The guns on this list are ultra powerful, capable of bringing down the largest game, even grizzly bears. The rifles below feature a range of calibers, from 2,933 foot-pounds of energy on the low end, to over 12,000 foot-pounds of energy on the high end. Be advised that hunting with a rifle is illegal in some areas and the hunter is responsible for checking the appropriate regulations.

Why Are We Covering Hunting Rifles?

The hunting industry is big business in America. According to Statista, the hunting and trapping market grew from $727.1 million in 2013 to $902.2 in 2022, where most available statistics were measured. The most popular firearm used by hunters in the U.S. is the rifle, and rifle options vary widely. Hunters must decide how much power they need for the game they are hunting and what other gun features are most important to them.

Here are the 30 most powerful hunting rifles:

30. 7mm Remington Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 2,933 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,856 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large North American game (e.g. pronghorn, mule deer, mountain goat, etc.)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

29. 7mm Weatherby Mag

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 2,948 ft-lbs. of energy (139 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 3,091 ft. per second (139 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large North American game (e.g. mountain goat, wild sheep, elk)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

28. 9.3 x 74R

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 2,949 ft-lbs. of energy (286 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,155 ft. per second (286 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large African game (e.g. wildebeest, zebra, lion, leopard, crocodile)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

27. 9.3 x 62

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 2,950 ft-lbs. of energy (286 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,155 ft. per second (286 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large African game (e.g. wildebeest, zebra, lion, leopard, crocodile)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

26. 35 Whelen

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 2,961 ft-lbs. of energy (200 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,582 ft. per second (200 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game and large African game (e.g. brown bear, moose, elk, caribou, leopard, crocodile, wildebeest, zebra)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

25. 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,053 ft-lbs. of energy (178 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,780 ft. per second (178 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large North American game (e.g. elk, deer)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

24. 300 Ruger Compact Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,225 ft-lbs. of energy (180 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,840 ft. per second (180 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large North American game (e.g. pronghorn, mule deer, black bear, elk, moose)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

23. 28 Nosler

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,275 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 3,017 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

22. 300 Winchester Short Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,290 ft-lbs. of energy (165 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,997 ft. per second (165 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game and large African game (e.g. black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, wild sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, leopard, zebra, wildebeest)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

21. 300 Winchester Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,297 ft-lbs. of energy (195 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,760 ft. per second (195 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game and large African game (e.g. black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, wild sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, leopard, zebra, wildebeest)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 5

20. 338 Ruger Compact Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,313 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,575 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. elk, moose, American bison)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

19. 376 Steyr

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,373 ft-lbs. of energy (270 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,372 ft. per second (270 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large African game (e.g. Cape buffalo, lion)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 2

18. 300 Weatherby Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,491 ft-lbs. of energy (200 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,804 ft. per second (200 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, wild sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 2

17. 338 Winchester Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,540 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,662 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game and large African game (e.g. wildebeest, crocodile, leopard, lion, zebra, American bison, brown bear, wild sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

16. 300 PRC

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,620 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,692 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large North American game (e.g. pronghorn, mule deer, elk)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 2

15. 404 Jeffery

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,717 ft-lbs. of energy (400 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,046 ft. per second (400 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Large African game (e.g. Cape buffalo, warthog, elephant, wildebeest)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

14. 300 Remington Ultra Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,736 ft-lbs. of energy (220 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,766 ft. per second (220 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. elk, moose, brown bear)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 2

13. 450 Nitro Express 3.25

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,769 ft-lbs. of energy (480 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,150 ft. per second (480 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, rhinoceros)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

12. 458 Winchester Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,924 ft-lbs. of energy (500 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 1,880 ft. per second (500 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African and North American game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, American bison, brown bear)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

11. 375 H & H Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,935 ft-lbs. of energy (270 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,562 ft. per second (270 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African and North American game (e.g. American bison, brown bear, wildebeest, warthog, zebra, hippopotamus)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

10. 470 Nitro Express

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,945 ft-lbs. of energy (500 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 1,885 ft. per second (500 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, rhinoceros)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

9. 416 Rigby

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 3,977 ft-lbs. of energy (400 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,116 ft. per second (400 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

8. 30-378 Weatherby Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,043 ft-lbs. of energy (220 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,877 ft. per second (220 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. elk, moose, caribou, brown bear)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

7. 375 Ruger

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,052 ft-lbs. of energy (270 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,600 ft. per second (270 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game and large African game (e.g. American bison, brown bear, zebra, wildebeest, warthog)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

6. 416 Remington Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,075 ft-lbs. of energy (300 & 400 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,142 ft. per second (300 & 400 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African and North American game (e.g. American bison, brown bear, elephant, cape buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 2

5. 338 Lapua Magnum

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,362 ft-lbs. of energy (285 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,626 ft. per second (285 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest North American game (e.g. elk, American bison)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 3

4. 500 Nitro Express 3″

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,518 ft-lbs. of energy (570 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 1,889 ft. per second (570 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, rhinoceros)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

3. 458 Lott

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,569 ft-lbs. of energy (500 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,029 ft. per second (500 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant, cape buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

2. 450 Rigby

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 4,755 ft-lbs. of energy (480 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,112 ft. per second (480 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Largest African game (e.g. elephant)
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

1. 50 BMG

• Approx. power at 100 yards: 12,386 ft-lbs. of energy (750 grain bullet)
• Approx. speed at 100 yards: 2,727 ft. per second (750 grain bullet)
• Effective against: Not recommended for hunting
• Number of bullet weights considered: 1

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