Top 5 Hunting Calibers

Here are some of the best all-around hunting cartridges for medium to large game in North America. From classic, tried and true cartridges like the 30-06 Springfield, to the immensely popular 6.5 Creedmoor, all these loads are reliable and hard-hitting options for deer and other big game hunting.
1

Remington Core-Lokt Ammunition 30-06 Springfield 165 Grain Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point Box of 20

The classic "Green-box" ammunition that shooters and hunters have trusted for years. Remington makes ammunition for nearly every need. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

Shoots great out of my ...

Shoots great out of my BOSS equipped A-Bolt, five shot groups will average 3/4 of an inch @ 100 yards. I've used it on many deer and a few hogs. Leaves a tennis ball sized exit hole on broadside deer shots. Of the deer I've shot over the last ten years none have gone more than 15 yards. I've killed 5 hogs with it. One shot stops on four of them. Found most of the bullets under the skin on the opposite side in 80-175 lb. hogs with 50-75% weight retention, I did have one blow up on a spine shot at close range (40 yds.) Overall it has performed well for me. It's accurate, opens up quickly and dumps it's energy while holding together on light and medium sized game.
- Aaron, 2/25/2010

About Remington

We’ve been here since 1816. Together, Remington and America have fought and won wars, put food on millions of tables and brought countless generations together at the range and in the field. We are proud of each and every round that rolls off our factory line. Bringing a renewed focus to ammunition, innovation, and quality, we are reinvigorating our company so you can continue to trust our brand and our products – all while staying true to Remington’s legendary heritage and stature as an American icon.

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2

Hornady American Whitetail Ammunition 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain Interlock Spire Point Box of 20

Make it a "Knock-Down, Drag-Out" hunt!

Hornady designed and tailored the American Whitetail line of ammunition just for the Whitetail Deer hunter. This ammunition line is loaded with the legendary Interlock bullet at conventional velocities in the most popular bullet weights for taking down the buck of a lifetime. Hornady has combined a generation of ballistic know-how and combined that knowledge with modern components and manufacturing excellence to create a line of ammunition that will deliver the consistent accuracy and performance that they have built their reputation upon.

The Hornady InterLock bullet is designed to be a devastating hunting bullet and nothing less. The InterLock Ring, a Hornady exclusive, ensures that the hard-alloyed lead core and tapered jacket remain locked together during expansion. The resulting bullet retains more mass, energy and momentum after impact and transfers that energy into the target. It is this reliable stopping power that has earned the InterLock a worldwide reputation as a bullet for the serious hunter. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

Good Stuff

My Ruger American Predator groups three shots into a little under 1" at 100 yards with this ammo. I haven't hunted with it, so I couldn't give it 5 stars - yet. I figure it will do fine as I have never a problem with Hornady ammo. I would like to know how the other reviewer watched a bullet going over 2800fps tumble through the air. If it was tumbling with this weight bullet, he needs a new barrel.
- Howard, 6/14/2016

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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3

Federal Power-Shok Ammunition 308 Winchester 150 Grain Soft Point Box of 20

Federal Power-Shok is hard hitting ammunition designed for exceptional performance in the field. A combination of premium bullets with Federal's reputation for quality results in a hunting round that you can depend on. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

This ammo has been my top ...

This ammo has been my top choice for mulies and antelope since the mid 1970's. Its a little more accurate than Remington or Winchester ammo in my rifle. But I like it best because it provides ideal combination of rapid mushrooming while remaining intact. A predictable game toppler.
- Gaer, 2/25/2010

About Federal Premium

Federal Ammunition opened its doors on April 27, 1922. Odds were against the fledgling factory, but the support of shooters like you and the tireless work of our dedicated American workforce carried us through the decades and transformed us into the world’s leading ammunition manufacturer. We use the industry's finest bullets, brass, primers, and propellants; and hold our manufacturing processes to exact tolerances, eliminating any variables that cause inconsistencies, to give you absolutely reliable ammunition that delivers superb accuracy and optimum terminal performance. Our skilled, dedicated craftspeople build the world's best ammunition with a commitment to big game hunters, competitive shooters, law enforcement personnel, upland and waterfowl hunters, and anyone who relies on their ammunition to win.

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4

Barnes VOR-TX Ammunition 300 Winchester Magnum 180 Grain TTSX Polymer Tipped Spitzer Boat Tail Lead-Free Box of 20

Barnes bullets have historically had the reputation of offering quick, clean and humane kills. Now they are taking their highly regarded bullets to the next level loading them in ammunition.

Like its Triple-Shock cousin, the Tipped Triple-Shock bullet delivers the same "three strikes you're out" rule. Once as it strikes game, two as the bullet begins to open and a third impact when the cavity fully expands to deliver extra shock with maximum transferred energy. The added polymer tip creates a faster expansion rate as well as better long range ballistics. Ideal for medium to large-sized game.

VOR-TX ammunition is manufactured to precise tolerances to ensure excellent accuracy and consistent velocities. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

Performance on an Alaska Yukon Moose

I used this round moose hunting in Alaska this September. The temperature was in the low 50's with very little wind. The distance was 427 yards across a low brush meadow. The first shot was quartering away and hit the big bull right behind the shoulder causing it to spin 180 degrees and then I quickly shot a second time and the 2nd round was in line with the first but 5 inches lower. The bull went down before I could send a 3rd round. I have always been happy shooting the Remington Core-Lokt bullets but after hearing great reviews about Barnes accuracy and knock down power I decided to give them a try. It was the most accurate 180 gr 300 win mag round I have shot through my Remington 700 ADL at the range so I switched and won't go back after this hunt. I hope this helps if you are considering these bullets.
- Rifle Hunter, 10/16/2020 Shop Now
5

Hornady Precision Hunter Ammunition 7mm Remington Magnum 162 Grain ELD-X Box of 20

Loaded with the most advanced all-range hunting bullet available, Precision Hunter Ammunition sets a new standard of accurate, deadly and dependable hunting performance. Your trophy has never been closer– even if it’s far away! Featuring the radically superior ELD-X bullet with patented Heat Shield tip, Precision Hunter will soon be the “go-to” load for ANY hunting situation because of its effective terminal performance at ALL practical ranges.

 

The Heat Shield tip of the Hornady ELD-X bullet defies the effects of aerodynamic heating and retains its shape to provide a perfect meplat (tip) that is always the same shape. A streamlined secant ogive with optimum boattail design, plus the highly concentric AMP bullet jackets, combined with the patent pending Heat Shield tip creates a supremely accurate, high BC match bullet. ELD-Match bullet BCs are measured with Doppler radar and corrected to standard atmospheric conditions. With high velocity, 0-400 yard impact, the bullet continually expands throughout its penetration path. The thick shank of the jacket and high Interlock ring keep the core and jacket together providing 50-60% weight retention. Upon low velocity, 400+ yard impacts, the Heat Shield tip drives backward into the bullet to initiate expansion. Exhibiting conventional expansion with a large mushroom and 85-90% retained weight the bullet provides deep penetration and large wound cavities.  This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Features

  • Heat Shield Tip forms the perfect meplat
  • No tip deformation from aerodynamic heating
  • Match accurate hunting bullet
  • Devastating terminal performance at all ranges

What Customers Are Saying

Invalid info about the ELD-X Bullet

In a recent sports magazine ad, a competitor ammo was less than objective in their assessment of the Hornady ELD-X bullet because it is not a bonded core bullet. I don't know if their tests were on game but my comments are assessed based game used performance. They would have you believe that the ELD=X came apart and did not penetrate well on game. Well, I shot 2 BIG Mule deer with this ammo and both were DRT on the spot. The Bullet was recovered on a 260 lbs. buck that that was facing at 100 yds. slightly downhill in the neck that broke 5 vertebrae and was found INTACT just under the hide in front of the right shoulder. The bullet weighed 152 gr. and the buck dropped DRT. A 130 lbs. doe was next at 100 yards and was DRT on the spot through the chest. So, the ELD-X bullet is lethal on deer and does not come apart.
- Ray Hansen, 11/26/2016

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

Shop Now