Deer are the most sought after game in the United States by a wide margin. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, over 8 million Americans hunt deer annually, more than four times the number who hunt wild turkey, the second most common game. While some deer hunters use shotguns loaded with slugs or buckshot, most carry a rifle – and for good reason.
The primary advantage rifles hold over shotguns is range. Even a slug-gun with a rifled barrel has a maximum range of only about 150 yards. Meanwhile, many rifles are effective and accurate out to more than three times that distance.
In some parts of the country, hunting with a shotgun is the only legal option. But in places where rifle hunting is allowed, sportsmen and sportswomen who may need to take long-range shots, or who are pursuing larger game than deer, there is no substitute for a rifle. (Here is a look at the states where hunters get the most deer.)
Using ballistics data on 92 rifle different calibers, compiled by outdoor gear retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most powerful long-range hunting rifles. The 30 rifles on this list are ranked by estimated foot-pounds of energy delivered at a range of 500 yards. For each caliber, we selected the bullet weight, or grain, that delivers the most force at 500 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 30 different rifle calibers on this list can deliver anywhere from 1,364 to over 9,500 foot-pounds of energy at 500 yards. Each of these rifles is powerful enough for deer hunting at 500 yards, and some of the most powerful are appropriate for the largest game in North America, including moose and grizzly bear. Some are also well suited for hunting or protection from even larger African mammals.
The most powerful rifle on this list, the 50 caliber BMG, is a military-grade weapon accurate out to 2,000 yards and capable of penetrating structures and destroying lightly-armored vehicles. Though too powerful to be a practical hunting weapon, rifles chambered for 50 caliber ammunition are available to civilians in much of the United States. (Here is a look at the 16 sniper rifles used by the U.S. military.)
Click here to see the most powerful long range rifles.
30. 308 Winchester
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,364 ft-lbs. of energy (168 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,913 ft. per second (168 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Medium game (deer, antelope, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 6
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29. 7MM-08 Remington
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,381 ft-lbs. of energy (150 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,037 ft. per second (150 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Medium game (deer, antelope, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
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28. 6.5 Creedmoor
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,428 ft-lbs. of energy (147 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,092 ft. per second (147 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Medium game (deer, antelope, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 5
27. 270 Winchester
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,497 ft-lbs. of energy (145 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,157 ft. per second (145 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 5
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26. 376 Steyr
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,500 ft-lbs. of energy (270 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,582 ft. per second (270 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
25. 416 Remington Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,510 ft-lbs. of energy (0 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,304 ft. per second (0 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
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24. 30-06 Springfield
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,526 ft-lbs. of energy (180 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,954 ft. per second (180 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 4
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23. 280 Remington
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,564 ft-lbs. of energy (150 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,167 ft. per second (150 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
22. 300 H & H Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,576 ft-lbs. of energy (180 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,986 ft. per second (180 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
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21. 270 Winchester Short Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,641 ft-lbs. of energy (145 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,258 ft. per second (145 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
20. 280 Ackley Improved
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,681 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,162 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
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19. 6.5 PRC
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,689 ft-lbs. of energy (147 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,275 ft. per second (147 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
18. 7mm Weatherby Mag
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,695 ft-lbs. of energy (139 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,343 ft. per second (139 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
17. 7MM Remington Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,775 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,222 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
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16. 375 H & H Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,793 ft-lbs. of energy (270 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,729 ft. per second (270 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
15. 300 Ruger Compact Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,802 ft-lbs. of energy (180 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,124 ft. per second (180 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
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14. 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,840 ft-lbs. of energy (178 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,158 ft. per second (178 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
13. 375 Ruger
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,880 ft-lbs. of energy (250 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,840 ft. per second (250 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
12. 338 Ruger Compact Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,880 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 1,940 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
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11. 7MM Winchester Short Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,886 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,290 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
10. 300 Winchester Short Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,969 ft-lbs. of energy (200 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,106 ft. per second (200 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
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9. 300 Winchester Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 1,980 ft-lbs. of energy (195 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,138 ft. per second (195 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Large game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 5
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8. 338 Winchester Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,030 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,016 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
7. 28 Nosler
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,142 ft-lbs. of energy (162 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,440 ft. per second (162 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
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6. 300 Weatherby Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,198 ft-lbs. of energy (200 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,225 ft. per second (200 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
5. 300 Remington Ultra Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,434 ft-lbs. of energy (220 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,232 ft. per second (220 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
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4. 300 PRC
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,528 ft-lbs. of energy (225 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,250 ft. per second (225 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 2
3. 30-378 Weatherby Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 2,653 ft-lbs. of energy (220 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,331 ft. per second (220 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
2. 338 Lapua Magnum
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 3,002 ft-lbs. of energy (285 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,178 ft. per second (285 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Toughest game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
> Number of bullet weights considered: 3
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1. 50 BMG
> Approx. power at 500 yards: 9,538 ft-lbs. of energy (750 grain bullet)
> Approx. speed at 500 yards: 2,393 ft. per second (750 grain bullet)
> Hunting usage at 500 yards: Not recommended
> Number of bullet weights considered: 1
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