Top 4 Calibers for Hunting Rifles
Last updated: March 23, 2026 · Originally published: June 26, 2023
Hunters are always adding to their collection for rifles they can rely on when it counts.
What more practical way is there to judge the effectiveness of a hunting rifle than turning to the hunters themselves? They are the ones who have used countless rifles like the 243 rifle, and they are bound to have valuable insight. Besides talking to them personally, you can search for listings on GunBroker.com. This platform is a favorite for hunters buying and selling rifles. Here is a closer look at why these four rifles are popular among hunters.
Velocity and Variety – 243 Winchester
Rifles chambered in 243 Winchester remain among the most popular and versatile hunting options on GunBroker.com. They have also been popular among hunters for over 70 years. The exceptional versatility of 243 Winchester loads has made it a long-range, high-velocity winner for everything from varmints to deer and antelope. Along with this impressive performance, it also produces less recoil than 30-30 Winchester, making it an ideal choice for new shooters and the recoil-averse.
Suppressed Subsonic – 300 Blackout
Rifles chambered in 300 Blackout have become a star in a specific niche. 300 Blackout rifles are a potent close to medium-range choice for game like deer and hogs. Its primary claim to fame, however, is that the 300 Blackout cartridge was designed for subsonic use, optimizing it for use with a suppressor. That can be a real benefit for hunters who appreciate hearing protection in the field and prefer not spooking game with a shot.
Blazing Ballistics – 204 Ruger
There are very few cartridges that can match the blazing ballistics of the 204 Ruger. Rifles chambered in 204 Ruger are prized on GunBroker.com for achieving velocities that make for exceptionally fast, far, and flat shooting. That kind of performance makes it a top-shelf varmint rifle for tack-driving long-range hunting. If you consider yourself a sharpshooter, look for a rifle chambered in 204 Ruger.
Rugged Reliability – Ruger Mini 30
The Ruger Mini 14, chambered in 223 Remington, is renowned worldwide as a reliable and accurate rifle for military, police, and civilians. That reputation and performance have also made it prized among users of GunBroker.com. Some hunters, however, prefer a higher caliber. Enter the Ruger Mini 30 chambered in 762x39mm. The Mini 30 features the same rugged, lightweight quality and accuracy as the Mini 14 in a caliber that is better suited for larger game like elk. That combination of portable reliability and robust caliber make it a premier option for effective hunting in heavy brush and other challenging terrains.
While looking for your rifle, don’t forget to shop for your ammo, hearing protection, shooting glasses, rifle cases, rifle-scopes, spotting scope, GPS and all of your other needs on GunBroker.com. They are open all day, every day!
Choosing the right caliber matters beyond big game. If turkey season is next on your calendar, Popular Outdoorsman has an excellent spring turkey hunting preparation guide to get you ready.
I am 72 and as a decades long big game hunter, I have taken deer and elk with firearms and I also do archery. I have taken deer with the 7.62X39 round, but I would not consider it for elk unless it was directly in front of me at a distance of less than 50 yards. Having been present when other hunters shot an elk with larger calibers (and not bring it down,) I do not believe the Russian 7.62 is adequate for an animal as large as an elk for routine hunting and it would not be my preference to use one for deer beyond 150 yards because it loses too much energy. I do not consider the .223 or the Russian 7.62 to be long range cartridges for any big game from deer on up. Now as medic in the Army some 50 years ago, I am acutely aware of the effect either of those rounds has on people.
That being said, I have used a .270 for more deer than I can count (some at distances greater than 400 yards), spanning 40 or so years, taking elk in the mix with that rifle. I also have rifles chambered in .223, .30-06, 6.5 Swedish, and 7.62 Russian. For hunting with handguns, my preference is my Smith 629 Classic Hunter in .44 Magnum.
I mostly hunt for meat, though if a trophy animal presents itself during season, it is fair game and it still adds meat to the freezer. I seldom shoot animals that I would not eat unless it is for depredation, such as feral pigs, cats, and dogs, all of which destroy habitat, or eat the young of other game animals that I hunt, like turkey and quail.
As far as the .204 Ruger, I don’t know of any state where that round would be legal for deer. The minimum bore size that I have seen is in the .22 range, read .223 et al. There is also a minimum bullet weight requirement of 50-55 grains in most states that I have hunted. That being said, it might be a passable varmint gun, not something that trips my trigger.
As far as the .204 Ruger, that is not a legal cartridge for deer in any of the states that I have hunted. Some states will allow a .223 and its kin, but most that do have a minimum of 50-55 grain bullets to do that. And I am not aware of any state which allows the .223 for elk.
Alan I agree with the 270 I use mine on elk 130 gr one shot the closest was 200 yards 6 Elk.as for the 204 great for coyotes and small varmints super fun to shoot
Did not see anything about 270? 243
I select the rifle and cartridge for what I’m hunting.
Still use an old Ruger .44 carbine for hunting heavy cover. For more open woods the old 30-30 works well. Longer range I use the .308.
Heavier game gets either the old 30-06 or 45-70. Varmints get the .223 from the AR-15.
Old man with old guns. But sometimes the old ways and guns still work well.
I would like to see Ruger make a 77/454 in stainless steel with the synthetic stock. Could use .45 Colt or .454 Casull loads, and it’d be a companion gun to my Ruger .45 Colt and .454 Casull revolvers. Are you listening Ruger???????
I would like to see Ruger chamber the Mini-30 in 350 legend ,that would make a good deer and varmint gun.
I agree with some of your suggestions but a .270 or 30-06 should have made the list.
I don’t think that the .204 should have even been considered for the list
Why are Ruger Mini 14 and Mini 30 so high priced?
In 2000, the were selling for$300, today’s retail is a $1,000!
One can purchase two AR-15’s for that price.
The 250 Savage is a good cartridge. It was popular until the 243 Winchester showed up.
Would like to see lever action rifles chambered for 218 Bee, 25-20, 256 Win., 32-20, 357 Maximum.
These rifles can be shot year round, with light recoil, at small game.
No one wants to shoot a 300 Magnum or a 338 Magnum all day and get get with 30 to 45 pounds of recoil.
How about Heritage and Ruger chamber their single action revolvers in 25 Stevens?
A 65 grain bullet at 1250 fps.
Hornady and Federal could make up to date ammo.
Henry and Rossi could make rimfire rifles for the 25 Stevens.
How about AR-15 rifles chambered for 357 AutoMag, 38 Super, 38-45, 41 AutoMag, 44 AutoMag, 45 Win. Mag., 475 Wildey, 50 Action.
I like James approach to hunting weapons
Henry makes a lever action in 357 . Check out their website.
Hi Charles, I was referring to the 357 Maximum cartridge, not the 357 Magnum cartridge.
One can use 38 Long Colt, 38 Special, 357 Magnum in the 357 Maximum.
So this makes it a good, year, all around cartridge, suitable for small game coyotes ,and big game like hogs, deer and black bear.
Since the 357 Maximum is loaded to higher pressure, some loads equal 35 Remington ballistics.
Ruger and Dan Wesson made their revolvers in 357 Maximum.
Dan Wesson also made revolvers in 375 SuperMag and 414 SuperMag.
I would like to see a lever action rifle in 414 SuperMag, a shooter can also use 41 Magnum ammo in a 414 SuperMag.
I agree that Ruger is beginning to price themselves out of the market on some guns.
I like your thinking. Only thing different is I like my 450 Bushmaster in heavy cover for deer. Ive killed more deer with my 30-30 than any other rifle. My varmit rifle is a 223 bolt action.