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. Remington is a world leader in ammunition and firearms and is trusted by militaries, law enforcement, and hunters around the world. MidwayUSA is proud to offer Remington Ammo like the UMC, Core-Lokt, and Express series, and firearms like the 700 rifle and 870 shotguns. In addition to ammunition and firearms, Remington also offers gun parts, cleaning kits, safes and storage, apparel, and more. Remington has a focus on building dependable firearms that Customers can enjoy for a lifetime.

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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 Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

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4

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.

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5

Winchester Deer Season XP Ammunition 30-30 Winchester 150 Grain Extreme Point Polymer Tip Box of 20

Winchester Deer Season XP ammunition combines extensive experience into a product engineered specifically for deer hunters. The Extreme Point bullet features an oversized impact diameter. A bigger impact diameter means more impact trauma, better energy transfer, and larger wound cavities for faster knockdown.

Features

  • Large diameter polymer tip - accelerates expansion resulting in rapid impact trauma
  • Ballistic profile - streamlined profile for flat trajectory and energy retention
  • Tapered jacket - engineered for lethal penetration on deer
  • Alloyed lead core - optimized for maximum energy transfer and impact power

What Customers Are Saying

I will buy this product again

Bought a box of these as I was impressed by claimed performance. Shot a medium size 8 put at approximately 45-50 yards. Hit about 1" behind and slightly above heart rt. side. He ran about 30 yds. Pass through shot both lungs, arteries demolished. I am sure he died on his feet. This is a great round for the 30-30. One placed shot, very little meat loss. Happy hunter.
- David Patterson, 12/27/2016

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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