The 11 best cartridges for downing Canada’s big game animals

ELK

Generally considered the toughest of our big game, elk are not very forgiving when your shot misses the mark, even slightly. These animals occupy highly variable habitat, and it’s not unusual to face long shots in open country—300 metres is common. That means you need a cartridge with relatively high downrange energy and a flat trajectory, so I’m selecting the .300 WSM. The practical ballistic benefits of this round over the storied .300 Win. Mag. are, in my opinion, overstated for hunting purposes. However, the fact the WSM can be chambered in shorter, lighter rifles gives it a slight edge when it comes to lugging your rifle all day in elk country.