This Is the Most Powerful Hunting Rifle You Can Buy, and It’s Not Even Close

Hunting is a popular sport in America, and people use a variety of weapons for hunting game. From rifles to shotguns to crossbows, the weapon a hunter chooses depends on personal preference and the type of game they are after. Today, we are taking a deep dive into hunting rifles, which have the advantage of being precise over long distances.

Rifles are designed with long barrels and thick walls made to withstand high pressure. They must be used with a specific caliber of ammunition, although some rifles offer more versatility than others. Some rifles are made for hunting a wide range of game, including small game (such as rabbits and groundhogs) to larger animals (such as deer and elk.) For example, a big-bore rifle has way too much power for small or medium-sized game. However, a smaller caliber rifle, perfect for hunting smaller animals, would likely have too little power for the humane and effective kill of bigger game.

Using ballistics data on 92 rifles of different calibers compiled by the outdoor gear retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most powerful hunting rifles on the market. 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 doesn’t account for variations in barrel length and is based on the data available for 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 of these rifles is powerful enough for the largest game in North America, including moose and grizzly bear. 

The 50-caliber BMG is the most powerful rifle on the list. It’s a military-grade weapon known for its accuracy of up to 2,000 yards. The BMG can penetrate structures and destroy lightly armored vehicles. Although it is considered too powerful for practical hunting purposes, rifles chambered for 50 caliber ammunition are available to citizens in many parts of the U.S.

It’s important to note that hunting laws differ among counties and states. For example, in some locations, only single-shot rifles are permitted for hunting, and in others, only shotguns are allowed. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations in your area before deciding on a firearm.

Here are the most powerful hunting rifles:

Why Are We Covering Hunting Rifles?

The hunting industry is big business in America. According to Statista, the hunting and trapping market has grown from $727.1 million in 2013 to $902.2 in 2022. The most popular firearm used by hunters in the U.S. is the rifle, and the choice of rifles varies widely. 24/7 took a look at the most powerful rifles on the market. However, it’s up to the hunter to decide how much power they need for the game they are hunting.

30. 7mm Remington Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 7mm Remington Magnum is 2,933 ft-lbs. of energy (162-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,856 ft. per second (162-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including pronghorn, mule deer, and mountain goat). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

29. 7mm Weatherby Mag

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 7mm Weatherby Mag is 2,948 ft-lbs. of energy (139-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 3,091 ft. per second (139-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including mountain goats, wild sheep, and elk). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

28. 9.3 x 74R

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 9.3 x 74R is 2,949 ft-lbs. of energy (286-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,155 ft. per second (286-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large game (including elk, moose, mule deer, and wild boar). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

27. 9.3 x 62

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 9.3 x 62 is 2,950 ft-lbs. of energy (286-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,155 ft. per second (286-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African game species. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

26. 35 Whelen

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 35 Whelen is 2,961 ft-lbs. of energy (200-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,582 ft. per second (200-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African and North American game species (including moose, elk, and wildebeest). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

25. 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum is 3,053 ft-lbs. of energy (178-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,880 ft. per second (178-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game species (including elk and deer). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

24. 300 Ruger Compact Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Ruger Compact Magnum is 3,225 ft-lbs. of energy (180-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,840 ft. per second (180-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game species (including moose, mule deer, pronghorn, and elk). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

23. 28 Nosler

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 28 Nosler is 3,275 ft-lbs. of energy (162-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 3,017 ft. per second (162-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game species (including American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, and elk). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

22. 300 Winchester Short Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Winchester Short Magnum is 3,290 ft-lbs. of energy (165-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,997 ft. per second (165-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game and large African game (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, zebra, and wildebeest. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

21. 300 Winchester Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Winchester Magnum is 3,297 ft-lbs. of energy (195-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,760 ft. per second (195-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game and large African game (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, caribou, zebra, and wildebeest). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is five.

20. 338 Ruger Compact Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Ruger Compact Magnum is 3,313 ft-lbs. of energy (225-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,575 ft. per second (225-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including American bison, moose, and elk). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

19. 376 Steyr

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 376 Steyr is 3,373 ft-lbs. of energy (270-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,372 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North African game (including wildebeest and cape buffalo). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is two.

18. 300 Weatherby Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Weatherby Magnum is 3,491 ft-lbs. of energy (200-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,804 ft. per second (200-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including black bear, wild boar, American bison, brown bear, moose, elk, and caribou). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is two.

17. 338 Winchester Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Winchester Magnum is 3,540 ft-lbs. of energy (225-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,662 ft. per second (225-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game and large African game (including wildebeest, crocodile, zebra, American bison, brown bear, mountain goat, moose, elk, and caribou). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

16. 300 PRC

15. 404 Jeffery

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 404 Jeffery is 3,717 ft-lbs. of energy (400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,046 ft. per second (400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African game (including wildebeest, warthog, and cape buffalo). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

14. 300 Remington Ultra Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum is 3,736 ft-lbs. of energy (220-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,766 ft. per second (220-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large North American game (including moose, brown bear, and elk). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is two.

13. 450 Nitro Express 3.25

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 450 Nitro Express 3.25 is 3,769 ft-lbs. of energy (480-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,150 ft. per second (480-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large and dangerous African and Indian game. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

12. 458 Winchester Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 458 Winchester Magnum is 3,924 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,880 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African and North American game (including cape buffalo and American bison). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

11. 375 H & H Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 375 H & H Magnum is 3,935 ft-lbs. of energy (370-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,562 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective against large African and North American game (including warthog, wildebeest, and American bison). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

10. 470 Nitro Express

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 470 Nitro Express is 3,945 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,885 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for dangerous game hunting in Africa and India. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

9. 416 Rigby

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 416 Rigby is 3,977 ft-lbs. of energy (400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,116 ft. per second (400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for dangerous game hunting in Africa and India. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

8. 30-378 Weatherby Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 30-378 Weatherby Magnum is 4,043 ft-lbs. of energy (220-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,877 ft. per second (220-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American game (including elk, moose, caribou, and brown bear). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

7. 375 Ruger

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 375 Ruger is 4,052 ft-lbs. of energy (270-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,600 ft. per second (270-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American and African game species (including elk, moose, American bison, warthog, and wildebeest). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

6. 416 Remington Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 416 Remington Magnum is 4,075 ft-lbs. of energy (300 & 400-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,142 ft. per second (300 & 400-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American and African game species (including cape buffalo, moose, and American bison). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is two.

5. 338 Lapua Magnum

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 338 Lapua Magnum is 4,362 ft-lbs. of energy (285-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,626 ft. per second (285-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large North American game species (including elk and American bison). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is three.

4. 500 Nitro Express 3″

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 500 Nitro Express 3″ is 4,518 ft-lbs. of energy (570-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 1,889 ft. per second (570-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large African game species (including cape buffalo). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

3. 458 Lott

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 458 Lott is 4,569 ft-lbs. of energy (500-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,029 ft. per second (500-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large African game species (including cape buffalo). Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

2. 450 Rigby

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 450 Rigby is 4,775 ft-lbs. of energy (480-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,112 ft. per second (480-grain bullet). This weapon is effective for large and dangerous African game species. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

1. 50 BMG

The approximate power at 100 yards for the 50 BMG is 12,386 ft-lbs. of energy (750-grain bullet), and the approximate speed is 2,727 ft. per second (750-grain bullet). This weapon is not recommended for hunting. Finally, the number of bullet weights considered is one.

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