Manufacturers offer better ammunition for hunting big game than ever before. Check out these 16 great picks to consider stocking in your store.

Barnes VOR-TX 6.5 Grendel

Barnes’ all-copper VOR-TX ammunition in 6.5 Grendel produces great expansion, maximum weight retention and excellent accuracy — handload precision in a factory-loaded round. Loaded with the newly developed 115-grain TAC-TX bullet, optimized for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge, it provides excellent pass-through penetration and devastating energy transfer, effective for stout predators such as coyotes at long range and wild hogs.All-copper TAC-TX rifle bullets have a proven reputation for accuracy, are designed for controlled, double-diameter expansion and are effective at close or long range. These bullets also track straighter through barriers and have better weight retention than lead-core bullets, according to Barnes. MSRP: $35/Box of 20. Contact: www.barnesbullets.com

 

Browning BXC Controlled Expansion Terminal Tip

The Browning BXC Big Game Controlled Expansion Terminal Tip bullet was designed specifically for large, tough animals such as elk and moose. An anodized aluminum tip increases accuracy in flight and then drives back into the bonded bullet upon impact, creating consistent, controlled expansion. This expansion is controlled further through the use of a gradually thickening jacket profile and bullet skiving. The result is consistent penetration through tough hide and bone with maximum trauma to the vital areas where it counts. In addition to other big game calibers, BXC is now available in .28 Nosler, its 155-grain bullet producing a muzzle velocity of 3,250 fps and exiting the barrel with 3,635 foot-pounds of energy. MSRP: $55-$65/Box of 20. Contact: www.browningammo.com

 

Federal Terminal Ascent

Federal Terminal Ascent’s match-grade bonded bullet construction delivers deep penetration on close targets, while its patented Slipstream polymer tip helps flatten trajectory and initiates expansion at velocities 200 fps lower than comparable designs. The bullet’s long, sleek profile offers an extremely high ballistic coefficient and its AccuChannel groove technology improves accuracy and minimizes drag and wind drift. Its copper shank and bonded lead core retain weight for deep penetration at any range. Terminal Ascent is available in a full selection of long-range hunting cartridges ranging from 6.5 Creedmoor to .300 WSM. MSRP: $42.95-$53.95/Box of 20. Contact: www.federalpremium.com

 

Fiocchi Extrema 6.5 Creedmoor

Fiocchi Extrema 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition is loaded with a 130-grain Swift Scirocco bonded bullet that leaves the barrel at 2,820 fps — specifically designed for today’s fast, flat-shooting long-range rifles. Its secant ogive, 15-degree boat-tail base and polymer tip create a sleek, aerodynamic profile that helps maintain downrange velocities and flat trajectories. An extra heavy tapering jacket wall with an internally bonded lead core provides structural integrity, reliable expansion and penetration with over 70 percent weight retention. Produced with precision cases and reliable Fiocchi primers, this ammunition is made with new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed reloadable brass cases. Retail: $40.99/Box of 20. Contact: www.fiocchiusa.com

 

Fort Scott Munitions .308 SCS TUI Brush Hog

Fort Scott Munitions .308 TUI Brush Hog ammo features a solid copper match grade bullet engineered to tumble upon impact to provide devastating stopping power and precision machined and loaded with the utmost care within tight tolerances for dependable accuracy. Upon entry into soft tissue the TUI projectile will begin to tumble, causing a high degree of energy transfer and massive internal damage. And hunters can enjoy the freedom to pursue wild hogs, deer and black bears with these solid copper-spun bullets where lead ammo is prohibited. With its tumble-upon-impact technology, Brush Hog ammunition is also a good choice for personal and home defense. MSRP: $45.74/Box of 20. Contact: www.fortscottmunitions.com

 

Hornady Precision Hunter .300 Win. Mag.

New for 2020, Hornady has added a 178-grain ELD-X .300 Win. Mag. option to its Precision Hunter ammunition lineup. The ELD-­X bullet is a great load for any hunting situation because of its effective terminal performance at all practical ranges. A streamlined secant ogive with optimum boattail design, highly concentric AMP bullet jackets and Heat Shield tip combine for aerodynamic efficiency. With high velocity — 0 to ­400 yards — impacts, the bullet continually expands throughout its penetration path and retains 50­ to 60 percent of its weight. With long-range low-velocity impacts, the Heat Shield tip drives backward into the bullet for controlled expansion and deep penetration while retaining 85­ to 90 percent of its weight. Retail: $36.52/Box of 20. Contact: www.hornady.com

 

HSM Ammunition 6.5mm Creedmoor Low Recoil

HSM Ammunition has engineered a 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge that reduces felt recoil by 47 percent. Now, one rifle chambered in this popular cartridge can be shot by any man or woman, girl or boy without worrying about excessive felt recoil. HSM partnered with Sierra Bullets in developing its proprietary standard weight-for-caliber 140-grain bullet with a distinct HSM orange ballistic tip. Using premium cases and primers combined with a blend of temperature tolerant powders, the bullet leaves the barrel at 2,340 fps with 1,695 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. In addition to the 6.5 Creedmoor, HSM Low Recoil ammunition is available in seven other popular big game cartridges. MSRP: $28/Box of 20. Contact: www.hsmammunition.com

 

Liberty Ammunition Animal Instinct .30-06

Liberty Ammunition took its Civil Defense projectile design and toughened it up a bit — thickening up the base to increase penetration — to create the Animal Instinct line of hunting ammunition. Its newest offering in the line — the Instinct .30-06 — uses a light-for-caliber 100-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,500 fps and 2,700 foot-pounds of kinetic energy with devastating effect, designed to drop animals on the spot. And thanks to its lighter bullet there is also less felt recoil. Animal Instinct rounds are spun on a lathe to keep them consistently accurate out to 500 yards. MSRP: $64.95/Box of 20. www.libertyammo.com

 

Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range

Loaded with the new AccuBond Long Range bullet, Nosler’s Trophy Grade Long Range is designed for hunters and shooters looking for high-performance ammunition loaded with an ultra-high B.C. bonded-core bullet. Developed using a combination of bullet manufacturing techniques unique to Nosler, the design of the AccuBond-LR allows for the highest B.C. possible. Its high-performance boat tail, long ogive and polymer tip combine to make it a sleek, flat-shooting bonded hunting bullet — loaded in Nosler brass for quality, consistency and accuracy that rivals custom handloads. Available in a variety of big game loads. MSRP: $54.40-$109.45/Box of 20. Contact: www.nosler.com

 

Nexus .300 Blackout RN Pro-Hunter Subsonic

The Nexus match grade 220-grain .300 Blackout Pro-Hunter cartridge is loaded with a Sierra Match King FBRN bullet that is optimized for suppressed precision gas gun applications. The Nexus Hunting line of ammo was designed to deliver maximum terminal ballistics in a precision package. Using the same proprietary loading methods as with its Match line of ammunition, Nexus has developed these cartridges utilizing top-quality components that provide optimal terminal performance from traditional lead projectiles. MSRP: $23.24/Box of 20. Contact: www.nexusammo.com

 

Remington HTP Copper

Remington HTP Copper ammunition features the venerable Barnes TSX bullet, which has a time-proven reputation for delivering massive knockdown power. This all-purpose hunting line of ammo is available in most popular big game hunting cartridges and is specifically designed for optimum weight retention and terminal performance. The Barnes TSX bullet is precision engineered with four cutting petals that deploy upon impact to inflict enormous wound channels, along with deep penetration and the kind of integrity only a one-piece bullet can deliver — nearly 100 percent weight retention every time. HTP Copper is loaded with top-quality components to provide hunters the fullest measure of confidence in pursuit of large game. MSRP: $42.98/Box of 20/.270 Win. Contact: www.remington.com

 

Rio Royal Star Slug

Hunters understand that pursuing large, dangerous game demands absolute confidence in their equipment — from their rifles and optics to the ammo they chamber. They must be able to count on their hunting ammunition to perform reliably and consistently very time they pull the trigger. Rio’s Royal Star line of slugs delivers the optimal penetration, multiple fragmentation and accuracy hunters can count on — an excellent hunting load for deer, wild hogs and large or dangerous game. It’s available in 2.75-inch 12-gauge only and its 1-ounce payload leaves the barrel at 1,410 fps, delivering excellent knockdown power and performance when it’s needed most. MSRP: $183.34/Case; $3.67/Box of five. Contact: www.rioammo.com 

 

Sierra GameChanger

The GameChanger hunting bullet is a combination of Sierra’s legendary match accuracy coupled with deadly penetration and quick, controlled expansion. Sierra re-engineered its MatchKing bullet into a hollow-point design for dynamic expansion and fitted it with a transparent green polymer tip for ballistic uniformity. Inside, the GameChanger features a unique construction that utilizes a special lead alloy surrounded by a tough copper jacket that delivers excellent penetration and expansion at a variety of ranges. The GameChanger employs a boattail design for stable flight and increased accuracy and an optimal jacket wall thickness to control expansion and maintain weight retention. Sierra recently added .300 AAC Blackout and .223 Rem. to the GameChanger lineup. MSRP/Box of 20: $26.99/.223 Rem.; $19.99/.300 AAC Blackout. Contact: www.sierrabullets.com

 

Sig Sauer Elite Performance Copper

Sig Sauer’s Elite Performance Copper Hunting line of ammunition delivers deep penetration and consistent 1.8X diameter expansion for maximum terminal ballistic performance in a highly accurate big game hunting load. Industry leading primers are matched to proprietary powder blends to ensure dependable ignition and consistency while its lead free monolithic copper bullet with an optimized nose geometry and premium nickel-plated shell casing delivers reliable accuracy and easy feeding. The Sig Sauer Elite Copper Hunting bullet is California Fish and Game compliant and available in a variety of big game calibers. MSRP: $27.95-$56.95/Box of 20. Contact: www.sigsauer.com

 

Weatherby 6.5 WBY RPM

Weatherby’s 6.5 WBY RPM cartridge is based on a lengthened version of the .284 Winchester. It has a rebated rim, making it compatible with standard .30-06 bolt faces and reloading equipment. However, the large body diameter, low body taper and 35-degree shoulder mean that case capacity is greatly increased, leading to higher velocities. In addition, bullet innovation in the 6.5mm category is highly efficient with less drop and wind deflection than many heavier calibers. All these details culminate into an accurate cartridge that delivers 1,500 foot-pounds of energy at 500 yards. The Weatherby 6.5 WBY RPM comes in three bullet choices — 127-grain Barnes LRX, 140-grain Nosler Accubond and 140-grain Hornady Interloc. MSRP: $50-$65/Box of 20. Contact: www.weatherby.com

 

Winchester .350 Legend Power Max Bonded

Winchester has added the .350 Legend to its Power Max Bonded ammunition line for 2020, which uses a proprietary bonding process to fuse the lead core to the copper jacket for maximum retained weight and deep penetration through dense hide and bone. Ideal for hunting big northern whitetail bucks and heavily armored wild hogs, its 160-grain JHP bullet delivers excellent terminal performance on the toughest big game animals. The Winchester .350 Legend perfectly fills several important growth segments in the hunting and recreational shooting market — compliant in states that allow straight-walled cartridges for deer hunting. Extremely low recoil makes it ideal for recoil-sensitive shooters. MSRP: $24/Box of 20. Contact: www.winchester.com