Some rounds look perfect on the spec sheet—high velocity, great ballistics, and an impressive marketing pitch. But numbers don’t tell the whole story. A caliber that shines in theory can stumble in real hunting or field conditions. Poor availability, excessive recoil, finicky performance, or unrealistic expectations can turn a “great idea” into a regret fast. If you’ve ever packed a gun thinking the caliber was ideal, only to be let down when it mattered, you know the feeling. These are the ones that don’t hold up once the shooting starts.
.17 HMR for Predator Hunting
The .17 HMR is accurate and flat-shooting, which makes it tempting for smaller predators. The problem is penetration and energy. On paper, it looks like it should drop a coyote clean at moderate range, but in practice, it often fails to anchor them quickly. The light bullet can deflect in brush, and wind drift becomes an issue past 100 yards. For small varmints, it’s excellent, but for predators, you’ll likely wish you had more bullet weight and energy.
.204 Ruger for Big Game
The .204 Ruger excels for varmint work, but some try to stretch it into big game territory. The fast, lightweight bullets simply aren’t built for deep penetration on animals like deer. Even with perfect shot placement, performance can be inconsistent. On paper, the velocity looks impressive, but it doesn’t make up for limited terminal performance on anything bigger than a coyote. If you’re serious about clean kills on big game, this caliber is better left in the truck.
5.7x28mm for Hunting
The 5.7x28mm has a loyal following for personal defense, but in the hunting world, it struggles. The small, lightweight bullets are designed for high velocity, not heavy impact. They can take down varmints, but trying to use it on larger animals often leads to poor results. Even with expanding bullets, it lacks the energy for clean kills at typical hunting distances. It’s fun to shoot and has low recoil, but it’s not the round you want when you need a sure takedown.
.22 WMR for Coyotes
The .22 WMR is a step up from the .22 LR, but it’s still not ideal for tougher predators like coyotes. While it’s capable in close, real-world hunting rarely offers perfect broadside shots at short range. The bullet design and energy limit its effectiveness beyond 100 yards, especially in wind. You may get the job done eventually, but you’ll likely wish you had something with more authority. For varmints, it’s great—but for coyotes, it’s underpowered.
.30 Carbine for Deer
The .30 Carbine served well in military history, but it’s a poor choice for modern deer hunting. It lacks the velocity and bullet design to ensure reliable penetration, especially on quartering shots. In open country, it runs out of steam quickly, limiting your ethical range. While it can take a deer under perfect conditions, “can” doesn’t mean “should.” There are far better options for a humane, consistent harvest that don’t leave you pushing the limits of the cartridge.
.22-250 Remington for Large Game
The .22-250 is an incredible varmint round with blistering speed and pinpoint accuracy, but it’s overmatched for large game. The light bullets tend to fragment quickly, which is great for prairie dogs but not for penetrating a deer’s vitals at an angle. It’s legal for deer in some areas, but legality doesn’t equal effectiveness. If you’ve ever had to track too far after a shot with this caliber, you know it’s better kept for the varmints it was built for.
.25 ACP for Field Carry
Some carry a .25 ACP pistol for trapping, dispatching varmints, or as a lightweight field gun. The problem is that it’s weak even for those roles. Accuracy is often poor from the small pistols chambered for it, and penetration is minimal. While it may work at point-blank range, that’s a risky limitation. The small size and light recoil don’t make up for its lack of real stopping power. If you’re in the field, there are better small-caliber options.
9x18mm Makarov for Hunting Backup
The 9x18mm Makarov is a reliable defensive round in its intended role, but it’s not well-suited as a backup for hunting. The bullets are too slow and light to provide a dependable stop on large or dangerous game. If you need a sidearm in bear country, this one’s at the bottom of the list. While it can work for small game in a pinch, it’s far from ideal. In the field, you need more punch when things get up close and ugly.
.410 Bore for Turkey
The .410 bore can take a turkey with the right load, but it leaves very little margin for error. Limited pellet count and smaller shot size mean pattern density is critical, and beyond close range, your chances drop fast. While newer tungsten loads improve performance, they still can’t match the consistency of a 12 or 20 gauge. If you hunt turkeys often, you’ll find yourself reaching for a bigger shotgun more often than not.
.223 Remington for Large Hogs
The .223 Remington is versatile and widely available, but it can be underpowered for big, tough hogs. Light, fast bullets don’t always get deep enough to reach the vitals, especially on large boars with thick shields. While it works fine for smaller hogs or perfect headshots, those conditions aren’t guaranteed in the field. Many hunters who try it for bigger hogs end up moving to a heavier caliber after a few frustrating recoveries.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
