Dense cover makes for tricky shooting. Shots are close, targets don’t sit still for long, and you need a caliber that hits hard without getting deflected by every twig in the woods. Light, fast rounds might work in open fields, but thick brush calls for heavier bullets and proven performers. If you’re headed into tangled woods or thickets, here are 10 calibers that won’t let you down when things get close and messy.
.35 Remington
This old-school round still holds its own in the woods. It pushes a heavy bullet at moderate speed, which helps keep it on track through cover.
It doesn’t have long-range chops, but inside 150 yards it hits hard and drops deer or bear quickly. Plenty of lever guns still chamber it, and it’s ideal for tight woods.
.30-30 Winchester
You knew this one was coming. The .30-30 has been a brush favorite for over a century, and for good reason.
Its flat-nosed bullets and mild velocity make it reliable in thick timber. It’s not flashy, but it works—especially from a handy lever-action rifle.
.444 Marlin
If you want serious stopping power in the brush, the .444 delivers. It throws a big bullet that doesn’t easily get knocked off course.
This one’s built for game like black bear and big-bodied deer in tight cover. It recoils more than a .30-30, but it makes up for it with power.
.45-70 Government
The .45-70 is about as brush-busting as it gets. It’s been putting down game in the thickets since the 1800s.
It fires heavy bullets that don’t get deflected easily and hit like a freight train. It’s not for long shots, but inside 150 yards, it’s all business.
.358 Winchester
This underrated round is a sleeper for thick brush hunting. It’s basically a .308 necked up to .35 caliber.
It’s hard-hitting and handles heavy bullets well, making it great for tough angles and short shots through cover. Hard to beat in a compact bolt gun.
.450 Bushmaster
Originally built for AR platforms, the .450 Bushmaster also works great in bolt actions and single-shots. It’s a solid brush cartridge.
It throws fat, fast bullets that don’t veer off when hitting minor twigs. It’s also legal in straight-wall-only states, which is a plus.
.44 Magnum (Rifle)
From a carbine-length rifle, the .44 Magnum becomes a whole new animal. It’s compact, fast-handling, and hits surprisingly hard at short range.
It’s perfect for sneaking through thickets after whitetails or hogs. Plus, you can pair it with a .44 Mag revolver and share ammo.
.450 Marlin
The .450 Marlin was built to mimic hot .45-70 loads but with a modern twist. It’s powerful, accurate, and ideal for close encounters in thick woods.
It delivers excellent energy and penetration, and it pairs well with short, fast-handling lever guns. Just be ready for stout recoil.
.375 Winchester
Another one designed for lever guns, the .375 Winchester hits harder than the .30-30 and is made for dense, close-range shooting.
It’s a bit obscure today, but if you can find a rifle chambered in it, it makes a capable brush caliber that bucks twigs and branches better than most.
12-Gauge Slugs
No, it’s not a “rifle caliber,” but if you’re in heavy brush, a 12-gauge with slugs is hard to beat. The weight and diameter of a slug punch through brush better than most rifle rounds.
It’s perfect for short-range whitetail or hogs in thick woods. It may not be glamorous, but it flat-out works where it counts.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
