10 Best Long-Range Hunting Bullets: Bagging Big Game Way Downrange

By Cassandra McBride

Last Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Cite this Article

Cassandra McBride

With a Criminology and Sociology background, Cassandra blends advocacy and research to write data-driven articles on the outdoors, politics, and firearms. A staunch Second Amendment supporter, she empowers women through firearm training. At Ammo.com, her work sheds light on gun deaths, ownership trends, and overlooked angles in gun debates.

Read More

Cassandra McBride, "10 Best Long-Range Hunting Bullets: Bagging Big Game Way Downrange"
(https://ammo.com/best/best-long-range-hunting-bullets)

Long-range hunting is a relatively new niche category of marksmanship that requires specially designed hunting bullets for success. No only do long-range hunters require projectiles that can reliably reach distances of 600 yards or more with sub-MOA levels of accuracy, but they also need exceptional terminal ballistics to humanely put down big game animals at these longer ranges.

Not all hunting bullets are suitable for long-range hunting. That's why we assembled the top 10 best long-range hunting bullets you need to stock up on for your next trip to the mountains, plains or canyond. If you want a quick visual of how popular long-range rounds compare by size, check our rifle caliber chart.

If you’re itching to get to the reloading bench and make some fresh long-range hunting handloads, then we highly recommend you pick up a box of the Hornady ELD-X bullets. However, if you'd like to learn about all your different bullet options for big game hunting as well as varmint hunting, scroll down a little and check out our top 10 list.

Top Long-Range Hunting Bullets for Big Game

• Hornady ELD-X
• Barnes LRX
• Berger VLD Hunting
• Nosler AccuBond Long Range
• Winchester Copper Impact
• Federal Terminal Ascent
• Sierra Tipped GameKing

Top Long-Range Hunting Bullets for Varmints

• Hornady V-MAX
• Sierra BlitzKing
• Nosler Varmageddon

Best Bullet for Long-Range Big Game Hunting Overall

Hornady ELD-X

A friend called me recently, ecstatic after getting an elk ticket in Tennessee. He asked me “What ammo are you using?” I encouraged him to pick up a box of Hornady ELD-X ammo.

If you're looking for a long-range hunting ammo that continually exceeds your highest expectation, the Hornady ELD-X is the bullet you should be loading into your bolt-action rifle this fall.

Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 200 Rounds of 143 Grain ELD-X Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

$419.99

$389.99

58 In stock now

1 Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo

This bullet simply gets the job done with every squeeze of the trigger. Offering unparalleled levels of accuracy, precision, and expansion, the Hornady ELD-X is a bullet that long-range hunters trust to ethically and quickly put down big game animals every season.

The Hornady ELD-X is effective against large game thanks to its revolutionary design. Hornady gave the ELD-X a Heat Shield tip, which is immune to deformation resulting from aerodynamic heating. It stays sharp and aerodynamic regardless of how violently air friction heats it, so it always presents a perfect tip downrange.

Combined with Hornady's patented InterLock bullet design, the ELD-X transfers the maximum amount of kinetic energy possible into the target by ensuring the jacket and lead core remain intact following impact.

The Hornady ELD-X can easily take down big game atdistances well over 600 yards, and even 1,000 yards if you’re skilled enough.

If you're in the market for a long-range whitetail load for your bolt-action rifle, then we highly recommend Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor 143gr ELD-X. This round's bullet has an incredibly high ballistic coefficient of 0.625 (G1) which helps it resist wind drift and reach ranges of 1,000 yards or farther with relative ease.

Unlike its match-grade counterparts, the ELD-X offers big game the penetration and expansion needed to put game down ethically and quickly. You can push the ELD-X to the limits because it will expand and create lethal wound channels at lower velocities.

To put it bluntly, the Hornady ELD-X won’t disappoint on your big day in the woods. The projectile’s exquisite design reduces drag and wind drift, while the jacket and core increase penetration and control expansion. All you have to do is put the shot on target and you'll be coming home with that trophy bull elk or whitetail you've always dreamed of.

Barnes LRX

If you’re new to long-range hunting, it won’t take long before someone recommends Barnes bullets for big game. Not only does Barnes have impeccable quality standards, like Hornady, but the company also puts some of the greatest minds to work engineering long-range hunting rounds.

Barnes VOR-TX LR 6.5 PRC Ammo - 20 Rounds of 127 Grain LRX BT Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

Out of stock

Add Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop Barnes Ammo

The Barnes Long-Range X (LRX) bullet is designed to expand into razor sharp petals that create an absolutely gnarly wound channel that is near double the original diameter of the bullet. This puts down game quickly to ensure you don't spend all day trudging through thick brush following blood trails.

But the innovation didn't stop there. The geniuses at Barnes knew they needed a bullet that is streamlined and sleek for longer-range shots. Regardless of which caliber you shoot, a Barnes LRX is going to have ridiculously high BC and offer you incredible sub-MOA accuracy results at all ranges.

Barnes LRX bullets have a polymer tip giving them a more aerodynamic design that increases the ballistic coefficient (reduces drag and wind drift). But the polymer tip also helps to control and initiate expansion to ensure that you get the terminal performance you need at close-range as well as longer distances.

The 100% copper design also means it’s perfect for hunting in "green states" like California.

If you're looking to take on large game from whitetail to elk, I'd recommend the Barnes VOR-TX LR 6.5 PRC 127 grain LRX BT. This ammo has performed extremely well in my Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter and I always make sure to stock up on it before every hunting season.

To put it simply, the Barnes LRX has insane terminal performance that puts down big game cleanly every time. If you can't find Hornady ELD-X bullets or simply want to try something different, you can't go wrong with a Barnes LRX for long-range hunting shots.

Berger VLD Hunting

While it seems pretty easy looking at this list, finding high-quality, long-range hunting ammo for big game isn't easy. But we couldn’t forget to add the Berger VLD Hunting line of bullets as these consistently provide hunters the penetration and long-range capabilities they are looking for.

The Berger Very Low Drag (VLD) Hunting bullet looks unassuming as it lacks a polymer tip or any other distinguishing characteristics. However, it's designed to penetrate 2-3" into a game animal before expansion begins.

This controlled expansion creates a devastating wound channel that all but guarantees a quick and efficient kill provided your shot placement is on point.

Berger VLD Hunting bullets have a similar design to the Barnes LRX in that they utilize a secant ogive bullet profile to reduce drag and increase ballistic coefficient. For example, the 7mm 180gr VLD Hunting has a ballistic coefficient (BC) of .659 (my personal favorite for handloading in a 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum), whereas the .30 caliber 185gr VLD Hunting (which is extremely popular in 300 Win Mag reloads) has a BC of .558.

But a high ballistic coefficient isn’t everything. We aren’t shooting at targets here; we’re hunting. So, you’re probably curious about the terminal performance (how the projectile interacts with its target).

The Berger VLD long-range hunting bullet has an lead core encased in a thin J4 Precision Hunting Jacket. This delivers massive hydrostatic shock and creates a substantial wound cavity. For those who don’t know, this basically means you’re sure to stock the freezer if you’re using the Berger VLD Hunting bullets!

Nosler AccuBond Long Range

Nosler is a bit hard to find these days, but if you can grab a box. I promise you won’t be disappointed! The Nosler AccuBond Long Range (ABLR) is a household name among avid long-range shooters. The company produces high-quality, reliable rounds that are expertly engineered for a high ballistic coefficient, excellent terminal performance, and weight retention.

The Nosler ABLR has the same classic boat tail design as most long-range hunting bullets we see today. The AccuBond series bullet increases accuracy and promotes smooth chambering with a white polymer tip. This design helps the projectile to stay on course and resist wind drift.

For reference, the .338 Nosler 250 grain AccuBond bullet has a BC of .575. This bullet is a great choice for taking on big game animals like moose and caribou with a 338 Win Mag. For smaller game like hogs and whitetail, we recommend the .270 150gr AccuBond, which has a BC of .500.

This long-range rifle bullet also meets our terminal performance needs. The lead-alloy core is encased in a tapered copper-alloy jacket designed to penetrate hide, bone, and tissue before expanding and releasing massive kinetic energy to vital organs.

When I'm loading up my favorite Remington 700 or Browning X-Bolt hunting rifles with Nosler AccuBond ammo, I have no doubts that any moose, elk, or deer that finds itself in my crosshairs will drop in its tracks.

Winchester Copper Impact

Hunters who understand value and terminal ballistics reach for Winchester Copper Impact bullets when they need to ensure big game animals stay down when they're hit.

Although Winchester gained most of its fame by producing the lever-action rifle that won the West, the Model 1873, over the past century Winchester has also become a household name in ammunition.

Taking a page out of Hornady's playbook, Winchester has been producing high-quality hunting and match-grade rounds at an affordable price. And one of the best premium Winchester hunting rounds you’ll find today is their Copper Impact line.

Winchester’s Copper Impact bullet has solid copper construction that retains its weight on impact to transfer kinetic energy and knock down big game like elk and moose. It’s great for medium game like whitetail and antelope as well.

The projectile also comes equipped with a large-diameter polymer tip to deliver rapid impact trauma after giving long-range hunters the flat trajectory they need for longer distance shots. For example, the Winchester Copper Impact 270 Win 130gr factory load has about 40” bullet drop at 500 yards (assuming 1.5" sight height and 200-yard zero). Not too shabby for an all-copper bullet!

Federal Terminal Ascent

The Federal Terminal Ascent is another premium hunting bullet designed explicitly for long-range big game hunting. This is one of my go-to rounds for elk hunting. It’s also great for other game like moose, buffalo, and bear.

The Terminal Ascent takes all of the benefits of a bonded projectile and combines it with the profile of a long-range match-grade bullet. It’s quite a brilliant design when you take a close look at it.

Federal 308 Win Ammo - 20 Rounds of 175 Grain Terminal Ascent Ammunition

• 
• 
• 

$46.99

86 In stock now

Add Review

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Add to Cart

Shop Federal Ammo

The Terminal Ascent bullet has angled grooves cut into its shank. This allows for better airflow and increases the ballistic coefficient.

Take for example the Federal .308 Winchester 175gr Terminal Ascent; at 600 yards the round still has more than 1,000 ft-lbs of energy to take down a whitetail while only exhibiting -100.0" of bullet drop and 29.0" of wind drift (assuming a 10 mph crosswind).

Similarly to the Hornady ELD-X concept above, the Federal Terminal Ascent utilizes the company's proprietary Slipstream Tip, which acts as a heat shield to protect the bullet from early deformation.

The Federal Terminal Ascent is a hunting bullet that combines innovation with tried-and-true terminal ballistics that can put down all sorts of big game at longer ranges.

Sierra Tipped GameKing

Precision rifle shooters have known for years that if you want an extremely aerodynamic and accurate bullet, you should always reach for Sierra. But when it comes to the needs of long-range hunters, Sierra does not disappoint with their line of Tipped GameKing bullets.

Descended from the legendary GameKing bullet line, the new Tipped GameKing offers hunters all the accuracy benefits of a polymer-tipped bullet combined with the terminal ballistics needed to take on big game animals like elk and moose.

The lead-alloy core is encased in a gliding copper jacket which controls terminal expansion and creates a devastating wound cavity. Its jacket profile gives this long-range hunting bullet a flatter trajectory, giving the round a high BC in turn.

Although not the most popular bullet on our list, the Sierra Tipped GameKing offers hunters the accuracy they've come to know and love from Sierra's match-grade reputation.

Best Long-Range Varmint Hunting Bullets

Varmint hunters have been acquainted with long-range precision shooting for many years.

Popping prairie dogs at 300 yards is not only fun, but satisfying at the same time as it validates your skill and precision with a rifle. As such, many bolt-action rifles are purpose-built for this sole purpose of eradicating pesky varmints at awe-inspiring ranges.

However, if you've built the perfect varmint slaying rig, then you need the best bullets to send down the barrel. Here are three of our favorite bullets if you like playing "Pop Goes the Weasel" in real life!

Hornady V-Max

Shop Hornady Ammo

Varmint hunters all have their opinions on what the best long-range varmint hunting bullet is, but for us it's the Hornady V-MAX.

The V-MAX offers shooters a flat trajectory, phenomenal accuracy, and (literally) explosive terminal ballistics. Simply put, Hornady won’t let you down.

Similar to the Federal Terminal Ascent, the Hornady V-MAX takes the best of its match-grade counterparts, the A-MAX and ELD Match, and combines it with the lethality of a hunting bullet. This gives us better performance and accuracy at longer distances.

Based on my personal experience, the .223 Rem Hornady 55gr V-MAX can easily knock down a coyote at 400 yards. All you need is a precision rifle and a bit of skill, then let the bullet do the rest.

Sierra BlitzKing

If you’ve ever sat on your front porch to hear the howl of a coyote 400 yards away, you’ll know the value of a good long-range varmint bullet. In this regard, we definitely shouldn’t discount the Sierra BlitzKing: specially designed bullet for varmints from coyotes to prairie dogs.

Sierra has supplied superb hunting rounds for generations. Like a fine wine, they’ve only gotten better with age. The BlitzKing delivers excellent terminal performance at longer distances to help you eradicate pests and protect your livestock.

The projectile features an aerodynamically efficient spitzer profile. Its thin jacket gives you better frangibility on impact, which is ideal as varmints don't have a thick hide like larger animals. Instead of penetration, you want rapid expansion, and this is exactly what Sierra BlitzKing bullets offer.

Nosler Varmageddon

The Nosler Varmageddon is more than a catchy name, as Nosler is one of the highest-quality and reputable manufacturers producing hunting rounds today. The Varmageddon is exquisitely crafted with that same attention-to-detail and innovative function of other Nosler hunting rounds.

You can choose between a hollow-point or polymer tip and get devastating terminal performance in any situation. Rather than a boat tail, the Nosler Varmageddon has a flat base. But don’t worry: the loss in BC won’t disappoint if you’re within ethical ranges.

The ultra-thin jacket, combined with a thicker midsection, actually increases damage while leaving a smaller impact hole (for those of you who want to preserve the pelts).

While Nosler, like Norma, is a bit pricier than other options, it’s an excellent round for reloading and never disappoints when you need it most.

Parting Shots

Long-range hunting means you’ll have to push your ammo to its limits. Not only do you need exceptional long-range accuracy, but you also need reliable expansion to ensure a clean kill.

The best long-range cartridges for hunting big game and varmints are those that combine the long-distance qualities of match-grade ammo with the expansion designs of a hunting round. By utilizing any of the bullets on our top 10 list above, you'll have everything you need to tackle big game animals or pesky varmints that plague your property.

If you need long-range hunting ammo, check out our stock here. We've got all the hunting cartridges you could possibly need from 270 WSM to the 300 Winchester Magnum and beyond.

No matter if you're taking out your grandfather's old 308 Winchester Weatherby Vanguard or you've got a new-age space gun like the Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, we've got all the ammo you could possibly need for all your precision shooting needs! For 308 Winchester shooters specifically, optimizing your grain weight selection is crucial for maximizing long-range performance - see our comprehensive guide to the best 308 grain for long range hunting and precision shooting applications.

Written by

Cassandra McBride