Rifle Hunting: Calibers, Rifles and Shot Placement
Firearm hunting guides for deer, elk, hogs, coyotes and varmints: calibers, rifles, shot placement and ethics.
All 12 guides
Caliber GuideBest Deer Hunting Calibers
The cartridges that reliably kill deer, recoil vs range, and a pick for every hunter.
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Comparison6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Winchester for Hunting
Trajectory, energy, recoil, barrel life and ammo availability compared.
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Comparison.30-06 vs .308 Winchester: Which Is Better for Hunting?
The real ballistic difference, rifle weight and which game each suits.
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Caliber GuideBest Elk Hunting Calibers
Energy, bullet construction and range for elk, from 6.5 PRC to .300 Win Mag.
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Buyer's GuideBest Deer Rifles for Beginners
Affordable, accurate bolt-actions for a first deer rifle, and how to choose a caliber.
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ComparisonBolt Action vs Lever Action vs Semi-Auto for Hunting
Accuracy, speed, reliability and legality for each action type.
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Field GuideDeer Shot Placement: Where to Shoot a Deer
Heart-lung anatomy, shot angles, and the shots to pass on.
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Field GuideHow Far Can You Ethically Shoot a Deer?
Effective range is a skill limit, not a cartridge limit: how to find yours.
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Caliber GuideBest Coyote Hunting Calibers
From .223 to 6.5 Creedmoor: pelt damage, range and wind drift compared.
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Comparison.22LR vs .17 HMR vs .22 WMR for Small Game and Varmints
Rimfire trajectory, energy, cost and the right choice for squirrels, rabbits and coyotes.
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Caliber GuideBest Caliber for Hog Hunting
Cartridges and bullets that stop hogs, plus shot placement on a tough animal.
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How-ToHow to Clean a Hunting Rifle
A simple cleaning routine, what to use, and how often before and after season.
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