Big Game Rifles
Big game rifles cover the bolt-action and lever-action rifles hunters rely on for deer, elk, bear, and other large game, spanning classic lever-gun calibers like .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt up through modern bolt-action rounds like .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. Impact Guns carries big game rifles from Savage, Ruger, Henry, Smith & Wesson, and CVA, giving hunters options across both traditional and modern platforms.
Read our full Big Game Rifles Buying Guide ↓
Lever Action vs. Bolt Action: Choosing a Big Game Platform
Lever-action rifles like the Henry H10 Protector and Smith & Wesson 1854 offer fast follow-up shots and a shorter overall length that handles well in brush and timber, favored by hunters in thick cover where a quick second shot matters. Bolt-action rifles like the Savage 110 Ultralite and Ruger American Gen II generally offer better inherent accuracy at distance and are the standard choice for open-country hunting where longer shots are common. Neither is objectively better — the choice comes down to your hunting terrain and typical shot distances.
30-30 Win and 45-70 Govt: Classic Lever-Gun Calibers
The .30-30 Win remains a proven deer cartridge at typical lever-gun ranges (under 150-200 yards), light-recoiling and widely available. The .45-70 Govt hits significantly harder and is favored by hunters pursuing larger or more dangerous game like elk, bear, and moose, at the cost of noticeably more recoil. Both are round-nose or flat-point cartridges suited to tube-fed lever actions, not the pointed spitzer bullets common in bolt-action rifles.
Modern Bolt-Action Options: 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 30-06
The Savage 110 Ultralite and Ruger American Gen II in .308 Win offer a versatile, widely-available cartridge suitable for most North American big game. The 6.5 Creedmoor variant of the Glenfield Model A brings flatter trajectory and lower recoil for hunters who shoot at longer ranges, while .30-06 Springfield remains a proven all-around choice with a slight edge in bullet weight options for larger game.
44 Magnum and 357 Magnum: Handgun-Cartridge Rifles
The Ruger 77/44 in .44 Magnum and various lever guns chambered in .357 Magnum give hunters a rifle that shares ammunition with a companion revolver — a practical setup for hunters who carry both. These cartridges are best suited to shorter-range hunting in brush or timber rather than open-country shots, given their more rainbow-like trajectory compared to rifle-specific cartridges.
Frequently Asked Questions: Big Game Rifles
Is 30-30 Win enough for deer hunting?
Yes — .30-30 Win remains a proven, effective deer cartridge at typical lever-gun ranges (under 150-200 yards), though it's not intended for longer-range shooting.
Should I choose a lever action or bolt action for big game?
Lever actions offer faster follow-up shots and handle well in thick cover; bolt actions generally offer better accuracy at distance and suit open-country hunting. The right choice depends on your typical hunting terrain.
What caliber should I choose for elk or bear?
.45-70 Govt, .308 Win, and .30-06 Springfield are all well-suited to larger game like elk and bear, offering more bullet weight and energy than lighter deer-specific cartridges like .30-30 Win.
See Also: Lever Action Rifles • Bolt Action Rifles • 45-70 • 30-30 Win