Best Calibers for Western Big Game Hunting | Christensen Arms

When you’re chasing elk, mule deer, or pronghorn in the vast Western landscapes, caliber choice matters. The West isn’t forgiving. Long shots. Steep angles. Heavy wind. Your rifle needs to deliver reliable, ethical kills at distance.

At Christensen Arms, we don’t build rifles for compromises. We design them for real hunters tackling real terrain. Below are some of the best calibers for Western big game hunting—and why they earn our trust.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is known for its flat trajectory and consistent accuracy at extended ranges. It delivers excellent ballistic coefficients and manageable recoil for reliable performance.

For mule deer or pronghorn hunts, it’s effective out to 500–600 yards. Paired with our Ridgeline FFT or Mesa FFT, it makes for a lightweight, mountain-ready setup.

It’s not fancy. It’s not new. But it works. The .308 Winchester is a proven big-game round with widespread availability and strong terminal performance.

In Western hunting, availability matters. The .308 Winchester is one of the most common cartridges, making it easy to find ammo in most stores. It delivers solid power for elk at reasonable ranges—typically 300–400 yards—and is straightforward to shoot accurately.

If you want simplicity, durability, and proven performance, you can’t go wrong with a Mesa or Ridgeline chambered in .308 Winchester.

When you need power and reach—no question—300 Win Mag stands out. This is the classic Western elk caliber.

It sends heavier bullets with authority; fights wind better and retains energy further. That means you get flatter trajectories and more stopping power at 500+ yards.

Yes, recoil is real. But with today’s muzzle brakes and carbon-fiber stocks, our Mesa Long Range or Ridgeline FFT keep it manageable while saving weight on the hike in.

The 7mm Rem Mag has been a go-to for serious Western hunters for decades. There’s a reason it’s so popular.

It balances power and shootability. It handles wind well, carries energy far, and offers a good selection of high-BC bullets.

Whether you’re after mule deer in open country or big bulls in dark timber, the 7mm Rem Mag in our Ridgeline FFT or Mesa Long Range is a workhorse you’ll rely on season after season.

If you want to push distance without going overboard on recoil, the 28 Nosler delivers. It’s a modern magnum with impressive speed and energy.

This round offers flat trajectories, excellent wind resistance, and real power for elk-sized game well past 500 yards.

Our Mesa Long Range or Ridgeline FFT chambered in 28 Nosler lets you take advantage of its ballistic potential without dragging extra weight up the mountain.

The .300 PRC is built for precision at range. It was designed to excel with heavy, high-BC bullets. That makes it perfect for big, open Western country where 600-yard shots aren’t out of the question.

If you’re chasing elk on big, windy ridges, .300 PRC gives you the edge. Our Modern Precision Rifle or Mesa Long Range rifles tame its recoil while maximizing consistency.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Western big game hunting demands you match your rifle and caliber to your style, terrain, and quarry.

At Christensen Arms, we build rifles chambered in the calibers Western hunters rely on—lightweight enough for the backcountry, accurate enough for long shots, and tough enough to handle the worst conditions.

If you’re serious about your hunt, choose the right caliber—and the right rifle to back it up.

• Ridgeline FFT – Ultralight Mountain rifle.
• Mesa FFT – Lightweight and versatile.
• Mesa Long Range – Precision at distance.
• Modern Precision Rifle – Tactical accuracy for the hunter who demands it.

Don’t settle. Hunt with confidence.