Having spent the time and effort to devise a rifle cartridge killing power formula that has a positive correlation with actual results in the field, it seemed appropriate to use that formula to compare the killing power of various hunting rifle cartridges and loads. Here is the G&S Online Killing Power Formula used to compile this list:

Energy at 100 yards (in foot pounds) x Sectional Density (taken from reloading manuals) x cross-sectional Area (in square inches) = Killing Power Score at 100 yards.

E x SD x A = KPS

Round off to one decimal place for convenience. (For more information, see The G&S Online Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula and List.)

100 yards was chosen as a reasonable distance at which to compare rifle cartridges and loads, since most big game is killed within or around that distance. Switching to a heavy for caliber (high sectional density) bullet generally, but not always, increases the killing power score.

Long experience has shown the .44-40 200 grain/1310 fps MV load (KPS 11.0) and traditional .25-35 117 grain/2230 fps MV load (KPS 11.9) are adequate 100 yard deer cartridges, provided the hunter drives the bullet directly into the vitals. Consequently, I have inserted a line of demarcation between the Class 1 (animals weighing less than 50 pounds) and Class 2 (animals weighing up to 300 pounds) cartridges based on a minimum KPS of 11.0 at 100 yards. Consider cartridges/loads scoring below KPS 11.0, at whatever you consider their maximum effective range to be, as small game and varmint cartridges.

However, the Remington Managed Recoil .30-30 125 grain/2175 fps MV (100 yard KPS 12.9) and .357 Magnum (Rifle) 158 grain/1830 fps MV (100 yard KPS 12.7) loads are probably better guides to the minimum practical killing power for Class 2 game with more modern cartridges. Remington specifically states that their Managed Recoil .30-30 load is a 100 yard deer cartridge.

Therefore, I have chosen to use a minimum KPS of 12.5 for Class 2 game in many of my articles. For similar reasons, and being more conservative, Guns and Shooting Online Cutlery Editor Gary Zinn uses a minimum KPS of 15.0 for hunting Class 2 game in most of his rifle articles.

When it comes to hunting larger game, a great many Class 3 animals have been taken by careful shots using cartridges/loads such as the .30-30/170 grain, 6.5x55/140 grain and 7x57/160 grain. On the other hand, most experienced North American elk hunters would probably suggest full power .270 Winchester loads (KPS 35+) as a practical minimum.

A 100 yard KPS score somewhere in the 30s is probably a reasonable figure for most Class 3 game, although less powerful cartridges/loads have long been used successfully. A KPS of 30 corresponds well with a Hornady HITS score over 901, which the experts at Hornady consider the minimum for use on large game.

The Alaskan Game Department considers the .30-06 shooting 220 grain bullets (100 yard KPS 54.6) a reasonable minimum for hunting Alaskan grizzly and brown bears, which are Class 4 (dangerous) animals. In most sub-Saharan African countries where dangerous game is still hunted, the 9.3x62mm/286 grain load (100 yard KPS 88.2) or the .375 H&H Magnum/270 grain load (100 yard KPS 106.2) are the recommended minimum for hunting lion, yet the big cats are about 1/2 to 1/3 the size of the great bears. Obviously, even among vastly experienced game departments, there is plenty of disagreement about rifle cartridge killing power!

Note: Reduced recoil factory loads are marked "Light."

LIST OF CARTRIDGES AND LOADS (bullet weight and MV - 100 yard KPS):

.32-20 Winchester (100 grain at MV 1210 fps) - 2.6

.327 Federal Magnum (Rifle) (100 grain at MV 2000 fps) - 6.2

.223 Remington (64 grain at MV 3020 fps) - 7.2

.30 Carbine (110 grain at MV 1990 fps) - 7.4

.22-250 Remington (55 grain at MV 3680 fps) - 8.0

.220 Swift (55 grain at MV 3680 fps) - 8.0

.223 Remington (68 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 8.4

.223 Remington (75 grain at MV 2790 fps) - 9.2

.357 Magnum (Rifle) (180 grain at MV 1550 fps) - 9.5

.22-250 Remington (64 grain at MV 3500 fps) - 9.7

.223 WSSM (64 grain at MV 3600 fps) - 10.1

.220 Swift (64 grain at MV 3600 fps) - 10.1

.44-40 Winchester (200 grain at MV 1190 fps) - 10.1

---

.44-40 Winchester (200 grain at MV 1310 fps) - 11.0

.25-35 Winchester (117 grain at MV 2230 fps) - 11.9

.357 Magnum (Rifle) (158 grain at MV 1830 fps) - 12.7

.30-30 Winchester (Light) (125 grain at MV 2175 fps) - 12.9

.25-35 Winchester (110 grain at MV 2425 fps) - 14.4

.300 Blackout (125 grain at MV 2175 fps) - 14.5

.300 Blackout (135 grain at MV 2085 fps) - 14.9

.250 Savage (100 grain at MV 2820 fps) - 15.1

7.62x39 Soviet (123 grain at MV 2365 fps) - 15.7

.257 Roberts +P (117 grain at MV 2650 fps) - 17.9

6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 grain at MV 2625 fps) - 17.9

.243 Winchester (100 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 18.1

.243 Winchester (95 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 18.3

.270 Winchester (Light) (115 grain at MV 2710 fps) - 19.2

6mm Remington (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

.243 WSSM (100 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 20.0

.240 Weatherby Magnum (100 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 20.2

7mm-08 Remington (Light) (120 grain at MV 2675 fps) - 21.3

.270 Winchester (Light) (120 grain at MV 2675 fps) - 21.6

.308 Winchester (Light) (125 grain at MV 2675 fps) - 22.2

.257 Roberts +P (115 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 22.3

7mm-08 Remington (Light) (140 grain at MV 2361 fps) - 22.6

.30-06 Springfield (Light) (125 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 22.6

.38-55 Winchester (255 grain at MV 1320 fps) - 22.7

.30-30 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2390 fps) - 22.8

.260 Remington (Light) (140 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 23.0

.240 Weatherby Magnum (100 grain at MV 3406 fps) - 24.5

6.5mm Grendel (123 grain at MV 2580 fps) - 25.3

.30-30 Winchester (170 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 25.4

.32 Winchester Special (170 at MV 2250 fps) - 25.4

.44 Remington Magnum (Rifle) (240 grain at MV 1760 fps) - 26.4

.25-06 Remington (120 grain at MV 2990 fps) - 26.5

.25 WSSM (115 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 26.7

.41 Remington Magnum (Rifle) (210 grain at MV 1830 fps) - 27.7

.35 Remington (200 grain at MV 2080 fps) - 28.7

7x57mm Mauser (140 grain at MV 2660 fps) - 29.0

6.5x55mm SE (140 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 29.5

.30-30 Winchester (160 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 29.5

.300 Savage (150 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 30.0

6.5mm Remington Magnum (120 grain at MV 3210 fps) - 30.2

6.5mm Creedmoor (140 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 30.7

.307 Winchester (170 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.7

6.5x55mm SE (160 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 30.9

.32 Winchester Special (165 at MV 2410 fps) - 31.5

.260 Remington (140 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 31.6

7mm Remington Magnum (Light) (139 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 32.8

.303 British (150 grain at MV 2685 fps) - 33.2

.257 Weatherby Magnum (120 grain at MV 3305 fps) - 33.4

7mm-08 Remington (140 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 33.6

.308 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2820 fps) - 34.7

.270 Winchester (130 grain at MV 3150 fps) - 35.0

6.5mm-284 Norma (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

6.5mm Remington Magnum (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

6.5x68 S (140 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 35.6

.300 Remington Ultra Mag (Light) (150 grain at MV 2815 fps) - 35.8

.270 Winchester (140 grain at MV 2950 fps) - 37.0

.280 Remington (140 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 37.1

.30-06 Springfield (150 grain at MV 2920 fps) - 37.3

.270 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 37.4

.300 Winchester Magnum (Light) (150 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 37.4

.264 Winchester Magnum (140 grain at MV 3030 fps) - 37.8

.270 Weatherby Magnum (130 grain at MV 3280 fps) - 37.9

.308 Marlin Express (160 grain at MV 2660 fps) - 37.9

.284 Winchester (150 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 38.2

.35 Remington (200 grain at MV 2225 fps) - 38.4

7mm Remington Magnum (139 grain at MV 3100 fps) - 39.1

.30-40 Krag (180 grain at MV 2430 fps) - 39.7

.338 Federal (200 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 39.7

6.5mm PRC (143 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 40.1

.303 British (180 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 40.1

.270 WSM (140 grain at MV 3125 fps) - 40.1

.375 Winchester (220 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 40.9

.308 Winchester (165 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 42.8

.30 T/C (150 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 43.1

7mm STW (140 grain at MV 3325 fps) - 44.5

.356 Winchester (200 grain at MV 2460 fps) - 44.6

7mm Remington SAUM (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8

7mm Remington Magnum (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8

7mm WSM (150 grain at MV 3110 fps) - 44.8

.308 Winchester (180 grain at MV 2620 fps) - 46.2

7.62x54R (180 grain at MV 2580 fps) - 46.6

.26 Nosler (140 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 46.9

.444 Marlin (240 grain at MV 2350 fps) - 46.9

.358 Winchester (200 grain at MV 2490 fps) - 47.0

.300 WSM (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2

.300 Winchester Magnum (150 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 47.2

.30-06 Springfield (165 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 47.3

6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum (140 grain at MV 3395 fps) - 47.6

.30-06 Springfield (180 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 49.2

.45-70 Government (300 grain at MV 1810 fps) - 50.1

.270 Weatherby Magnum (150 grain at MV 3245 fps) - 51.4

8x57mm JS Mauser (195 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 52.0

.450 Bushmaster (250 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 52.4

7mm Remington Magnum (175 grain at MV 2860 fps) - 53.3

.30-06 Springfield (220 grain at MV 2410 fps) - 54.6

.45-70 Government (405 grain at MV 1330 fps) - 55.0

7mm Weatherby Magnum (154 grain at MV 3260 fps) - 55.3

7mm Remington Ultra Mag (154 grain at MV 3260 fps) - 55.3

.300 H&H Magnum (180 grain at MV 2880 fps) - 55.5


.338 Marlin Express (200 grain at MV 2565 fps) - 55.6

.35 Whelen (200 at MV 2675 fps) - 56.4

.300 Remington SAUM (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.300 WSM (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.300 RCM (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.300 Winchester Magnum (180 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 59.5

.350 Remington Magnum (200 grain at MV 2770 fps) - 60.9

.38-55 Winchester (255 grain at MV 1950 fps) - 61.5

.28 Nosler (160 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 61.7

7mm Weatherby Magnum (175 grain at MV 3070 fps) - 62.4

7mm Remington Ultra Mag (175 grain at MV 3070 fps) - 62.4

.444 Marlin (265 grain at MV 2325 fps) - 63.4

.338 Federal (210 grain at MV 2630 fps) - 63.9

.325 WSM (200 grain at MV 2850 fps) - 64.2

.338-06 A Square (200 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 64.9

8mm Remington Magnum (200 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 68.5

.350 Remington Magnum (225 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 69.9

.338 Winchester Magnum (200 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 70.3

.405 Winchester (300 grain at MV 2200 fps) - 70.7

.30 Nosler (180 grain at MV 3200 fps) - 72.8

.300 Weatherby Magnum (180 grain at MV 3240 fps) - 72.8

.300 Remington Ultra Mag (180 grain at MV 3250 fps) - 73.0

.30-378 Weatherby Magnum (180 grain at MV 3300 fps) - 76.3

.350 Remington Magnum (250 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 76.7

.338-06 A Square (225 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 77.3

.338 RCM (225 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 77.3

.45-70 Government (325 grain at MV 2050 fps) - 78.5

.325 WSM (220 grain at MV 2840 fps) - 81.7

.300 Remington Ultra Mag (220 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 87.0

.30-378 Weatherby Magnum (220 grain at MV 3000 fps) - 87.0

.338 Winchester Magnum (225 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 87.4

.338-06 A Square (250 grain at MV 2500 fps) - 87.9

9.3x62 (286 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 88.2

9.3x74R (286 grain at MV 2360 fps) - 88.2

9.3x62 (250 grain at MV 2550 fps) - 89.8

.450 Marlin (325 grain at MV 2225 fps) - 93.5

.338 Winchester Magnum (250 grain at MV 2650 fps) - 94.8

.375 H&H Magnum (270 grain at MV 2690 fps) - 106.2

.338 Lapua (250 grain at MV 2900 fps) - 112.4

.375 H&H Magnum (300 grain at MV 2530 fps) - 113.0

.338 Remington Ultra Mag (250 grain at MV 2960 fps) - 117.3

.340 Weatherby Magnum (250 grain at MV 2963 fps) - 117.4

.338-378 Weatherby Magnum (250 grain at MV 3060 fps) - 127.1

.450/400 NE 3" (400 grain at MV 2050 fps) - 131.3

.375 Remington Ultra Mag (300 grain at MV 2750 fps) - 142.9

.375 Weatherby Magnum (300 grain at MV 2800 fps) - 148.4

.378 Weatherby Magnum (300 grain at MV 2925 fps) - 150.5

.416 Remington Magnum (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.416 Ruger (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.416 Rigby (400 grain at MV 2400 fps) - 188.4

.458 Winchester Magnum (500 grain at MV 2090 fps) - 217.3

.450 NE 3-1/4" (500 grain at MV 2140 fps) - 220.4

.470 NE (500 grain at MV 2150 fps) - 220.9

.458 Lott (500 grain at MV 2300 fps) - 228.5

.416 Weatherby Magnum (400 grain at MV 2700 fps) - 232.7

.460 Weatherby Magnum (500 grain at MV 2600 fps) - 332.3

The above list is only approximate, as a great variety of loads are possible for any centerfire rifle cartridge and no method of estimating killing power is infallible. It does, however, give a general idea of the comparative killing power of various hunting cartridges and loads.

It also tends to confirm some long held beliefs. Among these are that the .22 caliber centerfire rifle cartridges are inadequate for any sort of deer hunting; ditto the .25-20, .30 Carbine and .32-20. Under perfect conditions and with perfect bullet placement these cartridges will kill deer, of course. So will the lowly .22 LR rimfire cartridge. However, conditions are seldom perfect in the real world and it is foolhardy to use an inadequate or marginal cartridge for hunting when there are so many better choices.

Another long held belief of mine is the .30-30/150 grain load is a more powerful 100 yard cartridge than the .243 Win./100 grain load. Their KPS scores tend to confirm this. (These two are approximately equal in killing power at 200 yards.)

For a fascinating, two part analysis in depth of the G&S Online rifle cartridge killing power formula and its ramifications, see the articles The G&S Online Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula: Implications and Applications and Determining The Effective Killing Range of Rifle Cartridges by Gary Zinn.

Note: A more comprehensive rifle cartridge killing power comparison list with more calibers and loads can be found on the Member Side Tables, Charts and Lists page.