Hunters talk endlessly about gear, glass, and shot placement, but when it comes down to it, cartridge selection is one of the most critical decisions you can make. The right round doesn’t just affect your accuracy or effective range – it can be the difference between a clean kill and a long, frustrating track job.
Choosing the best cartridge for each big game animal means weighing power, trajectory, recoil, and even environmental factors like wind or terrain. Some animals require reach. Others demand heavy impact. Many situations call for a careful balance of both.
What follows is a list of 14 well-known big game animals and the cartridges that offer the best performance for each—whether you’re hunting in thick timber, wide-open plains, or deep backcountry.
1. Elk – .300 WSM
Elk are notoriously tough and resilient, and they tend to be shot more often and recovered less often than any other big game species in North America. That’s not speculation – it’s a widely acknowledged problem in the hunting community. These animals often soak up marginal shots and disappear into thick cover before expiring, which is why cartridge selection becomes critical.
The .300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) stands out for its excellent ballistics combined with a compact action and manageable recoil. It offers magnum performance in a short-action rifle, allowing for a lighter setup and shorter barrels – ideal for mountain terrain where maneuverability matters. Its energy delivery is substantial, and when paired with the right bullet, it has all the reach and power needed to anchor elk at a variety of ranges.
2. Antelope – 6.5 PRC
Pronghorn antelope may be easy to kill physically, but getting a clean shot can be another matter. They live in wide open spaces where long shots and swirling crosswinds are the norm. That’s why a flat-shooting, wind-resistant round makes sense – and the 6.5 PRC fits the bill. It’s fast, accurate, and hits with enough authority to drop an antelope in its tracks without causing excessive pelt damage.
Unlike the 6.5 Creedmoor, which can struggle in high wind situations, the PRC’s higher velocity and better ballistic coefficient give it a clear edge when it comes to stretching shots across the plains. It may have slightly more recoil than lighter cartridges, but it’s still mild enough for fast follow-ups and enjoyable range time.
3. Caribou – 6.8 Western
Caribou hunts often unfold in open, remote country where longer shots are common and wind can be a real factor. At the same time, you’re likely to be in grizzly territory, so having a cartridge that hits hard enough to handle an unexpected encounter is a smart move. The 6.8 Western is an excellent option here.
It delivers excellent energy, flat trajectory, and heavier bullets than the popular 6.5 calibers, giving it more authority on larger-bodied animals. Compared to rounds like the .270 or .30-06, it holds its own with superior ballistics and modern design. It’s also built for precision, with great high-BC bullet options that can help offset wind drift on long shots across tundra or high plateaus.
4. Coyote – .22-250 Remington
Coyotes are fast, wily, and rarely give you time to line up a shot. They often appear suddenly, and you may have to act quickly without time to range the distance. That’s why speed and flat trajectory matter so much. The .22-250 Remington is a classic choice that excels in predator hunting. It shoots small, lightweight bullets at blistering speeds, allowing for fast shots with minimal holdover.
It’s also relatively gentle on pelts when you use appropriate bullets, unlike heavier rounds that tend to cause pass-throughs or heavy damage. If you’re calling predators into rifle range or trying to tag a moving yote out past 200 yards, the .22-250 is hard to beat.
5. Black Bear – 7mm Remington Magnum
Black bears may not always be huge in size, but they are tough, muscular, and fast when it counts. While many people assume they’re soft targets, seasoned hunters know better – these animals can soak up lead and disappear into the brush before you realize what happened.
That’s why a little extra horsepower goes a long way. The 7mm Remington Magnum is a time-tested favorite that combines flat trajectory with significant energy delivery. It’s perfect for both close and mid-range shots, whether you’re sitting in a stand or spotting across a canyon. It also gives you better reach than something like a .308, without the extreme recoil of larger magnums like the .300 Win Mag.
6. Wildebeest – .300 Win Mag
Blue wildebeest are often called “poor man’s buffalo” for a reason – they are robust, heavily muscled animals that can be surprisingly difficult to put down. Even well-placed shots with lighter cartridges can result in long tracking jobs, especially if the bullet doesn’t hit bone. The .300 Win Mag has the weight and speed to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Its flat trajectory and raw energy give it a major advantage over lighter cartridges like the 6.5 PRC, which has been shown to underperform on tougher African game. If you’re hunting blue wildebeest, you want a cartridge that tips the odds in your favor. The .300 Win Mag delivers, especially when paired with a strong, controlled-expansion bullet. For black wildebeest and other plains game, a .30-06 will do just fine – but the .300 Win Mag is the cartridge you want when the animal is big and the conditions are less than ideal.
7. Kudu, Zebra, or Red Stag – 7mm Remington Magnum
All three of these animals – kudu, zebra, and red stag – share some things in common: decent body mass, tough frames, and often unpredictable terrain. The 7mm Rem Mag hits a sweet spot for this kind of hunting. It has the punch to bring down larger-bodied game without excessive recoil and remains incredibly versatile across hunting styles and environments.
Whether you’re glassing a hillside for a stag or stalking kudu in thick brush, the 7mm Rem Mag offers a good blend of velocity and energy. It’s flat-shooting, retains energy well at distance, and has a long history of field-proven results on animals in this class. It’s the kind of cartridge that gives you confidence no matter what you’re hunting – or where.
8. Mountain Lion – .308 Winchester
Mountain lion hunts are often up close and personal, usually involving hounds and thick terrain. When it’s time to take the shot, you’re typically within 50 yards, sometimes even closer. The goal is a clean, ethical kill without over-penetration, and the .308 Winchester fits that need perfectly. It’s a proven round with moderate recoil, excellent terminal performance, and plenty of bullet options.
You don’t need ultra-long range ballistics for a cat that weighs under 150 pounds, but you do want reliable energy and expansion at close range. A shorter-barreled .308 also keeps the rifle compact – ideal for navigating tight quarters in brushy or mountainous environments.
9. Sheep – 6.5 PRC
Sheep hunts are grueling, high-altitude affairs that often require long hikes, long shots, and precision shooting under pressure. Gear weight matters. Recoil matters. And a flat-shooting round that bucks the wind is crucial. The 6.5 PRC offers an excellent balance of performance and shootability for this kind of hunt.
It retains velocity and energy downrange better than most cartridges in its class, and it does so without beating up the shooter. On a steep ridge or wind-swept saddle, confidence in your rifle and round is everything. The 6.5 PRC delivers, making it one of the best modern choices for mountain game.
10. Moose – .300 Win Mag
Moose are absolute tanks. A mature bull can weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds and soak up lead like no other animal on this list. When you’re chasing moose in the backcountry, you need horsepower – no compromises.
The .300 Win Mag has long been a favorite for just this reason. It shoots flat, hits hard, and has bullet weights that penetrate deep into thick muscle and bone. You might get a close shot in a bog or a 300-yard poke across a lake, and this round handles both scenarios with authority. It’s the kind of cartridge you bring when “just enough” isn’t enough.
11. Hog – .308 Winchester
Feral hogs vary widely in size and behavior, but one thing’s constant—they’re tough. Whether you’re shooting a 150-pound boar at 50 yards or a group of smaller pigs running at full tilt, you need stopping power.
The .308 Winchester checks all the boxes. It hits with enough authority to anchor hogs quickly, even with less-than-perfect shot placement. It’s also widely available, works well in AR and bolt-action platforms, and offers plenty of bullet choices depending on your setup. Hogs don’t follow the rules, and a versatile, dependable round like the .308 makes sure you’re covered for whatever comes out of the brush.
12. Aoudad – 6.8 Western
Aoudad, or Barbary sheep, live in some of the harshest terrain in North America – steep, rocky cliffs and wide open basins where long shots are common and wind is a given. Despite not being the largest animals on this list, they’re surprisingly tough and can be a serious challenge to bring down. For this reason, a heavier-hitting round with good long-range performance is essential.
The 6.8 Western shines in this role, delivering more energy than the 6.5 PRC while maintaining similar wind resistance and trajectory. It carries enough weight to ensure solid penetration, even at extended ranges. This cartridge balances power with precision, making it a top-tier choice for difficult terrain and elusive game.
13. Deer – .308 Winchester (Stand) / 6.5 PRC (Open Country)
Whitetails and mule deer may be the most commonly hunted big game animals in North America, but that doesn’t make them any less important when choosing a cartridge. From tree stands to mountain ridges, your choice should match your hunting style.
For stand hunters in wooded areas, the .308 Winchester is king. It offers quick knockdown, great bullet performance, and enough energy for even large-bodied bucks at moderate range. For open-country hunts where wind and range become factors, the 6.5 PRC stands out. It’s fast, accurate, and gives you better holdover and wind correction at 300+ yards. These two cartridges represent the best of both worlds depending on where and how you hunt deer.
14. Gemsbok (Oryx) – 7mm Remington Magnum
Gemsbok are striking, desert-dwelling antelope known for their toughness and their ability to absorb damage and keep moving. They’re also large, with bulls weighing up to 700 pounds. Shots often come at moderate to long range, and conditions are usually hot, dry, and windy.
The 7mm Rem Mag is a fantastic fit for these animals. It offers excellent ballistics, good penetration, and enough kinetic energy to break through bone and reach vital organs – even at distance. Recoil is manageable, and bullet availability is strong. This round has the reach, reliability, and punch needed for tough African plains game like the oryx.
There’s No Universal Round—But There Is a Best Round for the Job
If there’s one takeaway from all of this, it’s that cartridge selection isn’t just about personal preference – it’s about matching the right tool to the task. Every animal presents its own unique challenge, and the best hunters are those who consider energy, trajectory, bullet weight, and shooting conditions before heading into the field.
Some cartridges are all-around workhorses, others are specialists. Sometimes it’s about distance. Other times, it’s about sheer power. But in every case, using a round that’s tailored to the game you’re hunting improves your chances for a quick, ethical kill. It’s not about overkill – it’s about respect for the animal and responsibility in the field. Choose smart, shoot well, and hunt ethically.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.