The Best Big-Game Calibers

By Outdoor Life Online Editor

Updated on Apr 20, 2021 2:36 AM EDT

2 minute read

<strong>Minimum Caliber</strong><br /> .243 Win., 6mm Rem. <strong>Recommended</strong><br /> .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .25/06 Rem., .257 Wby. Mag., .260 Rem., .264 Win. Mag., .270 Win., .280 Rem., .30/06 <strong>Jim's Favorite</strong><br /> .257 Wby. Mag. Outdoor Life Online Editor

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Whitetail — Minimum Caliber
.243 Win., 6mm Rem. Recommended
.250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .25/06, .260 Rem., .270 Win., 7mm/08 Rem., .280 Rem., .30/30, .308 Win., .30/06, .35 Rem. Jim's Favorite
.260 Rem. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Mule Deer — Minimum Caliber
.250 Savage, .257 Roberts Recommended
.25/06, .260 Rem., .270 Win., 7mm/08 Rem., .280 Rem., .308 Win., .30/06 Jim's Favorite
.280 Rem. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Caribou — Minimum Caliber
.25/06, .260 Rem., 7mm/08 Rem. Recommended
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .308 Win., .30/06, any of the 7mm or .300 magnums Jim's Favorite
7×57 and .280 Rem. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Mountain Goat — Minimum Caliber
.257 Wby. Mag. Recommended
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .30/06, any of the .270, 7mm or .300 magnums Jim's Favorite
.270 Win. and .280 Rem. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Sheep — Minimum Caliber
.25/06, .257 Wby. Mag. Recommended
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .30/06, any of the .270, 7mm or .300 magnums Jim's Favorite
.280 Rem. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Elk — Minimum Caliber
.25/06, .260 Rem., 7mm/08 Rem., .308 Win. Recommended
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .30/06, any of the 7mm, .300, or .338 magnums, .325 Win., .338 Win. Mag. Jim's Favorite
.338 Win. Mag. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Moose — Minimum Caliber
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .308 Win. Recommended
.30/06, any of the 7mm, .300 or .338 magnums, .325 Win. Jim's Favorite
.338 Win. Mag. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Black Bear — Minimum Caliber
.30/30 Win. Recommended
.270 Win., .280 Rem., .308 Win., .30/06, .338 Fed., .35 Rem., .444 Marlin, .45/70 Jim's Favorite
.308 Win. Outdoor Life Online Editor

Grizzly Bear — Minimum Caliber
.30/06 (with 180-gr. or heavier premium bullets) Recommended
.300 and .338 magnums, .340 Wby. Mag., .375 H&H; Mag. Jim's Favorite
.338 Win. Mag. (with .250-gr. bullets) Outdoor Life Online Editor

Grizzly Bear — Minimum Caliber
.30/06 (with 180-gr. or heavier premium bullets) Recommended
.300 and .338 magnums, .340 Wby. Mag., .375 H&H; Mag. Jim's Favorite
.338 Win. Mag. (with .250-gr. bullets) Outdoor Life Online Editor

Here are Jim Carmichel’s picks for the minimum, recommended and best calibers for ten different big-game species. Are you using enough gun on your hunting trips? Find out.