This Powerful Hunting Rifle Shoots Bullets at Three Times the Speed of Sound

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• Hunting rifles vary in power and caliber, and should be chosen based on what game is being hunted.
• Rifles like the BMG are too powerful to hunt with in most situations, with a 50 caliber bullet.
• Choose your hunting rifle based on the caliber of weapon you’re allowed to use based on local rules and regulations. Always check the laws before you going hunting to make sure you’re following necessary protocols.
• Also: 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever

In the United States, hunting seasons differ from state to state. Hunters determine which designated time they favor. In preparation for hunting seasons, hunters must also choose the right gun for their needs. This is a surprisingly strategic pick dependent on what type of game someone is hunting. Modern guns also encompass a wide range of functionalities and actions (bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever/pump), allowing hunters to carefully choose a gun with superior accuracy and precision. However, regardless of game type, both novice hunters and experienced hunters alike are reaching for the same weapon to fulfill their needs: the hunting rifle. (Discover America’s top 20 best hunting destinations.)

Rifles were first used as far back as the 15th century, but have significantly progressed over time. These guns are usually characterized by the ammunition caliber. Caliber also affects the guns’ power, precision, and performance. A hunter’s gun caliber should correlate with what is being hunted. Use small caliber rifles for smaller game. Using them for larger game, such as elk, would not be humane or efficient. Alternately, larger caliber rifles are better for larger game but provide unnecessary power for killing smaller game like rabbits.

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 30 different rifle calibers on this list can deliver anywhere from 2,933 to over 12,000 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards. Each powerful hunting rifle could take down the largest North American game, from moose to grizzly bears. However, hunting laws differ in various areas of the country. In some areas, rifle hunting is outlawed. Before you choose a powerful hunting rifle, check the rules and regulations wherever you’ll be hunting. 

The 50 caliber BMG, the most powerful rifle on this list, is a military-grade weapon known for its accuracy up to 2,000 yards. It can penetrate structures and destroy lightly-armored vehicles. The BMG shoots bullets at three times the speed of sound (Mach 1, 768 mph). It is admittedly too intense for practical hunting purposes. But rifles chambered for 50 caliber ammunition are still available for purchase in many states nationwide. (Here are the most versatile hunting rifle cartridges.)

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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