Hunt & Live Team
Updated October 25, 2026
20 min read
On this page
theHunter: Call of the Wild has 74 weapons across rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders and an air rifle, as of the Old West Weapon Pack. What decides whether a shot is “ethical” isn’t the gun — it’s the ammunition. Every ammo type is rated for a range of animal classes from 1 to 9, and staying inside that range is how you get full integrity, full payout and clean kills.
This page lists every weapon and every ammo type with its class range. Use the class finder to see exactly what you can carry for any animal. Our best picks by class are at the bottom.
At a glance
Weapons74
Rifles39
Shotguns13
Handguns10
Bows & crossbows9
Animal classes1–9
Weapon Guides
54 weapons have their own guide with official images: every load and its class band, the animals it can take, the best reserves and how to use it. The full list of all 74 weapons is below.
Rifle · Classes 7–9.300 Canning MagnumYukon Valley
Rifle · Classes 2–7ALIS Precision Shot .25-06Multi-Class Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 1–2Anantha Action .22 MagPump, Flip and Fire Pack
Rifle · Classes 7–9Arzyna .300 Mag TacticalHigh Caliber Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–8Eckers .30-06Weapon Pack 3
Rifle · Classes 4–8F.L. Sporter .303Te Awaroa National Park
Rifle · Classes 3–6Fors Elite .300Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 2–6Frost .257Pump, Flip and Fire Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–9Gandhare RifleSundarpatan Nepal Hunting Reserve
Rifle · Classes 4–8HANSSON .30-06Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–9HWEEN .45-90 BuffaloOld West Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–7Johansson .450Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 1–2Joneros .17HMRMulti-Class Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 1–2Kullman .22HMississippi Acres Preserve
Rifle · Classes 2–6Laperriere Outrider .30-30Alberta Hunting Preserve
Rifle · Classes 4–8M1 IwaniecSmoking Barrels Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–9Malmer 7mm MagnumHunter Power Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–8Martensson 6.5mmCuatro Colinas Game Reserve
Rifle · Classes 3–8Moradi Model 1894Ambusher Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–8Olsson Model 23Hunter Power Pack
Rifle · Classes 4–8PERRY .308Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 2–6QUIST REAPER 7.62x39Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 8–9Richardsson .500Multi-Class Weapon Pack
Rifle · Classes 3–7Solokhin MN1890Weapon Pack 2
Rifle · Classes 7–9Tsurugi LRR .338Hunter Power Pack
Rifle · Classes 7–9Vallgarda .375Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 1–1Virant .22LRWeapon Pack 1
Rifle · Classes 4–8ZARZA-10 .308Modern Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 2–4ZARZA-15 .223Modern Rifle Pack
Rifle · Classes 1–1ZARZA-15 .22LRModern Rifle Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–8Benelhag 12GScotland Hunting Reserve
Shotgun · Classes 1–8Cassidy Combination GunMulti-Class Weapon Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–7Couso Model 1897Rancho del Arroyo
Shotgun · Classes 1–5Giddings SSC .410 CoyotePump, Flip and Fire Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–9Grelck Drilling RifleWeapon Pack 2
Shotgun · Classes 1–9Humphrey 10G Coach GunOld West Weapon Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–9Miller Model 1891Smoking Barrels Weapon Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–7Nordin 20SADuck and Cover Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–9Strandberg 10SA ExecutiveHigh Caliber Weapon Pack
Shotgun · Classes 1–7Strecker SxS 20GWild Goose Chase Gear
Handgun · Classes 2–6.243 R.CuomoAssorted Sidearms Pack
Handgun · Classes 2–5.45 RollestonAssorted Sidearms Pack
Handgun · Classes 4–9.45-70 Jernberg SuperiorHigh Caliber Weapon Pack
Handgun · Classes 2–610mm DavaniAssorted Sidearms Pack
Handgun · Classes 1–1Andersson .22LRWeapon Pack 3
Handgun · Classes 2–5Maijo .44-40 SpecialOld West Weapon Pack
Handgun · Classes 1–5Mangiafico 410/45 ColtWeapon Pack 2
Bow · Classes 1–9Alexander LongbowSilver Ridge Peaks
Bow · Classes 1–9Houyi Recurve BowWeapon Pack 1
Bow · Classes 1–9Koter CB-65High-Tech Hunting Pack
Bow · Classes 1–9Stenberg Takedown Recurve BowAmbusher Pack
Crossbow · Classes 1–9Crosspoint CB-165Weapon Pack 1
Crossbow · Classes 1–5Dahler Reverse Draw CB-150Peru Hunting Reserve
Muzzleloader · Classes 3–8Hudzik .50 CaplockSmoking Barrels Weapon Pack
How the Class System Works
Every animal has a class from 1 (smallest) to 9 (largest and toughest), and every load of ammunition is rated for a band of classes. The gun only matters because of the ammo it fires — a .243 soft-point is a class 2–6 load whether you shoot it from the base-game Ranger or a DLC rifle.
- Inside the band: full harvest integrity, best payout and XP, and the cleanest kills.
- Below the band (too small): poor penetration and wounded animals. The harvest check fails on “proper ammo”, and a diamond drops to gold.
- Above the band (too big): overkill. You also fail the ammo check, and you destroy more of the animal.
- Expansion vs penetration: soft-point and hollow-point loads expand for big wound channels on broadside shots. Polymer-tip, hard-cast and FMJ loads penetrate to reach the vitals on angled, quartering or frontal shots.
| Class | Typical animals | Common in-class loads |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Mallard, European Rabbit, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Canada Goose, American Mink | 12 GA Birdshot, 300 gr Small Game Point arrow, .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point, .22LR Truncated Cone, .22H Soft-Point, .22H Polymer-Tip |
| Class 2 | Red Fox, Coyote, Side-Striped Jackal, Bobcat, Common Raccoon | .223 Soft-Point, .223 Polymer-Tip, .243 Soft-Point, .243 Polymer-Tip, .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose, .30-30 Hollow-Point |
| Class 3 | Roe Deer, Blackbuck, Springbok, Axis Deer, Chamois | .223 Soft-Point, .223 Polymer-Tip, .243 Soft-Point, .243 Polymer-Tip, .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose, .30-30 Hollow-Point |
| Class 4 | Whitetail Deer, Fallow Deer, Eastern Gray Kangaroo, Beceite Ibex, Blacktail Deer | .223 Soft-Point, .223 Polymer-Tip, .243 Soft-Point, .243 Polymer-Tip, .270 Soft-Point, .270 Polymer-Tip |
| Class 5 | Wild Boar, Mule Deer, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Feral Pig, Javan Rusa | .243 Soft-Point, .243 Polymer-Tip, .270 Soft-Point, .270 Polymer-Tip, 7mm Mag Soft-Point, 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip |
| Class 6 | Red Deer, Gray Wolf, Gemsbok, Barasingha, Blue Wildebeest | .243 Soft-Point, .243 Polymer-Tip, .270 Soft-Point, .270 Polymer-Tip, 7mm Mag Soft-Point, 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip |
| Class 7 | Black Bear, Roosevelt Elk, Rocky Mountain Elk, American Alligator, Black Caiman | .270 Soft-Point, .270 Polymer-Tip, 7mm Mag Soft-Point, 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip, .338 Soft-Point, .338 Polymer-Tip |
| Class 8 | Moose, Grizzly Bear, Saltwater Crocodile | .270 Soft-Point, .270 Polymer-Tip, 7mm Mag Soft-Point, 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip, .338 Soft-Point, .338 Polymer-Tip |
| Class 9 | Plains Bison, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Banteng, Bengal Tiger | 7mm Mag Soft-Point, 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip, .338 Soft-Point, .338 Polymer-Tip, .45-70 Soft-Point Flat Nose, .45-70 Hollow-Point |
Example animals use current class values; a few species have changed class over the game's life, so always check the in-game animal info.
Class Finder: What Can I Shoot It With?
Pick an animal class, and narrow it down by weapon type if you like. The finder lists every ammo type rated for that class.
| Weapon | Ammo | Classes | From |
|---|
The Complete Weapon List
Every weapon, grouped by type. The coloured bar shows the classes each load is rated for, from 1 on the left to 9 on the right. Use the search box to find any weapon or calibre fast.
Rifles (39)
Rifles do most of the work in Call of the Wild. Each calibre has two loads: a soft-point or hollow-point that expands and causes big wound channels, and a polymer-tip that penetrates better for angled or frontal shots and the top of its class range. Pick the calibre by class, then the load by shot angle.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .223 Docent | .223 · 6 rounds | .223 Soft-Point 2-4 .223 Polymer-Tip 2-4 | Base game | Bolt-action; small-medium game (fox, roe deer, whitetail). Capacity 6 from one guide only. |
| Ranger .243 | .243 | .243 Soft-Point 2-6 .243 Polymer-Tip 2-6 | Base game | Starting rifle (Winchester M70 style). Soft-point ammo is free, good money-maker. Weak on classes 5-6; Polymer-Tip is the high-penetration option. |
| .270 Huntsman | .270 | .270 Soft-Point 4-8 .270 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Base game | Bolt-action medium-large game; non-DLC alternative to .308 rifles. |
| 7mm Regent Magnum | 7mm Magnum · 1 rounds | 7mm Mag Soft-Point 4-9 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip 4-9 | Base game | Single-shot break-action; accurate long-range big-game rifle; long reload. 'Empress Magnum' is a cosmetic variant. |
| Rangemaster 338 | .338 Magnum | .338 Soft-Point 7-9 .338 Polymer-Tip 7-9 | Base game | Heavy rifle for bison/water buffalo/bears; severe recoil; unsuitable below brown-bear size. |
| Whitlock Model 86 | .30-30 | .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose 2-6 .30-30 Hollow-Point 2-6 | Base game | Lever-action, effective range ~75 m; only Helios 4-8x32 scope. |
| Coachmate Lever .45-70 | .45-70 | .45-70 Soft-Point Flat Nose 4-9 .45-70 Hollow-Point 4-9 | Base game | Lever-action, ~75 m; covers medium to very large game; only Helios 4-8x32 scope. Source (base vs free update) not explicitly confirmed. |
| Virant .22LR | .22LR · 10 rounds | .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point 1 .22LR Truncated Cone 1 | Weapon Pack 1 | Semi-auto; small game only (hares, rabbits); ~100 m. Variants Klasika/Express. |
| Solokhin MN1890 | 7.62x54R · 5 rounds | 7.62x54R Soft-Point 3-7 | Weapon Pack 2 | Mosin-style bolt-action; ~550 m max; only one ammo type. |
| Eckers .30-06 | .30-06 · 4 rounds | .30-06 Soft-Point 4-8 .30-06 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Weapon Pack 3 | High-end bolt-action, large deer/antelope to ~300 m. |
| M1 Iwaniec | .30-06 · 5 rounds | .30-06 Soft-Point 4-8 .30-06 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Smoking Barrels Weapon Pack | Semi-auto with en-bloc clip ('ping'). |
| ZARZA-15 .22LR | .22LR · 5 rounds | .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point 1 .22LR Truncated Cone 1 | Modern Rifle Pack | AR-style semi-auto, small game. |
| ZARZA-15 .223 | .223 · 5 rounds | .223 Soft-Point 2-4 .223 Polymer-Tip 2-4 | Modern Rifle Pack | AR-style semi-auto, medium-sized animals. |
| ZARZA-10 .308 | .308 · 5 rounds | .308 Soft-Point 4-8 .308 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Modern Rifle Pack | AR-10 style semi-auto, medium-large game. |
| Tsurugi LRR .338 | .338 Magnum · 5 rounds | .338 Soft-Point 7-9 .338 Polymer-Tip 7-9 | Hunter Power Pack | Long-range precision bolt-action, detachable 5-rd magazine. |
| Malmer 7mm Magnum | 7mm Magnum · 3 rounds | 7mm Mag Soft-Point 4-9 7mm Mag Polymer-Tip 4-9 | Hunter Power Pack | Bolt-action, synthetic stock; ideal long-range all-rounder. |
| Olsson Model 23 | .308 · 4 rounds | .308 Soft-Point 4-8 .308 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Hunter Power Pack | Modern bolt-action, carbon stock. |
| Moradi Model 1894 | .44 Magnum · 6 rounds | .44 Flat Nose Hard-Cast 3-8 .44 Jacketed Hollow-Point 3-8 | Ambusher Pack | Lever-action carbine, ~50 m; shares ammo with .44 Panther Magnum. |
| Arzyna .300 Mag Tactical | .300 Magnum · 5 rounds | .300 Mag Soft-Point 7-9 .300 Mag Polymer-Tip 7-9 | High Caliber Weapon Pack | AR-platform long-range big-game rifle. |
| Vallgarda .375 | .375 · 4 rounds | .375 ammo (types not verified) 7-9 | Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack (Dec 2024) | Community-chosen; large and dangerous game. |
| Johansson .450 | .450 · 5 rounds | .450 ammo (types not verified) 4-7 | Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack (Dec 2024) | Medium to large game; rugged. |
| Fors Elite .300 | 7.62x35mm (.300 Blackout) · 6 rounds | 7.62x35mm Soft-Point 3-6 7.62x35mm Polymer-Tip 3-6 | Hunters' Choice: Bolt-Action Rifle Pack (Dec 2024) | Fast reload, good hip-fire, large magazine. Calibre per community guides; store page only says '.300'. |
| PERRY .308 | .308 · 5 rounds | .308 Soft-Point 4-8 .308 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack (Mar 2025) | Gas-operated semi-auto; medium-big game. |
| HANSSON .30-06 | .30-06 · 5 rounds | .30-06 Soft-Point 4-8 .30-06 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack (Mar 2025) | Semi-auto, quick action and hip-fire. |
| QUIST REAPER 7.62x39 | 7.62x39mm · 5 rounds | 7.62x39 Soft-Point 2-6 7.62x39 Polymer-Tip 2-6 | Rapid Hunt Rifle Pack (Mar 2025) | Semi-auto; introduced 7.62x39 ammo; small-medium game. |
| Anantha Action .22 Mag | .22 Magnum · 10 rounds | .22 Mag ammo (Jacketed Hollow-Point / Hollow-Point) 1-2 | Pump, Flip and Fire Pack (Aug 2025) | Lever-action, tubular magazine; small game, ~125 m. |
| Frost .257 | .257 · 4 rounds | .257 ammo (types not verified) 2-6 | Pump, Flip and Fire Pack (Aug 2025) | Pump-action; medium game, ~200 m. |
| ALIS Precision Shot .25-06 | .25-06 · 5 rounds | .25-06 Soft-Point 2-6 .25-06 Polymer-Tip 3-7 | Multi-Class Weapon Pack (Apr 2026) | Bolt-action, flat trajectory, ~200 m. |
| Joneros .17HMR | .17 HMR · 10 rounds | .17HMR Full Metal Jacket 1-2 .17HMR Polymer-Tip 1-2 | Multi-Class Weapon Pack (Apr 2026) | Compact bolt-action for small game/birds/varmints, ~125 m, zero to 300 m. Class 1-2 stated for weapon role; per-ammo split not stated. |
| Richardsson .500 | .500 Jeffery · 4 rounds | .500 Solid 8-9 .500 Soft-Point 8-9 | Multi-Class Weapon Pack (Apr 2026) | Straight-pull, heaviest-game rifle at long range (~150 m). |
| HWEEN .45-90 Buffalo verify | .45-90 · 1 rounds | .45-90 Cast Lead Flat Nose 4-8 .45-90 Soft Lead 5-9 | Old West Weapon Pack (Sep 2026) | Sharps 1874-style falling-block single-shot. Class ranges from one community guide only; mapping of ranges to ammo inferred from store text (Soft Lead = biggest animals). |
| King 470DB | .470 Nitro Express · 2 rounds | .470 Nitro Express Soft-Point 9 .470 Nitro Express Full Metal Jacket 9 | Vurhonga Savanna | Double rifle, largest/most powerful calibre; ~75 m; multileaf sight. |
| .300 Canning Magnum | .300 Magnum · 4 rounds | .300 Mag Soft-Point 7-9 .300 Mag Polymer-Tip 7-9 | Yukon Valley | Bolt-action for moose; effective to ~400 m. |
| Martensson 6.5mm | 6.5mm · 5 rounds | 6.5mm Soft-Point 4-8 6.5mm Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Cuatro Colinas Game Reserve | Lightweight bolt-action, low recoil, flat trajectory, ~200 m. |
| F.L. Sporter .303 | .303 British · 5 rounds | .303 Soft-Point 4-8 .303 Polymer-Tip 4-8 | Te Awaroa National Park | Lee-Enfield style bolt-action, good range. |
| Kullman .22H | .22 Hornet · 6 rounds | .22H Soft-Point 1-2 .22H Polymer-Tip 1-2 | Mississippi Acres Preserve | Light bolt-action for small game/predators. |
| Zagan Varminter .22-250 | .22-250 · 5 rounds | .22-250 Soft-Point 2-4 .22-250 Polymer-Tip 2-4 | Emerald Coast Australia | Light bolt-action varmint rifle. |
| Gandhare Rifle | .577/450 black powder · 1 rounds | .577/450 Black Powder 4-9 | Sundarpatan Nepal Hunting Reserve | Martini-Henry style single-shot, ~200 m. |
| Laperriere Outrider .30-30 | .30-30 · 4 rounds | .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose 2-6 .30-30 Hollow-Point 2-6 | Alberta Hunting Preserve | Side-loading/side-eject lever action, ~75 m. |
Shotguns & combination guns (13)
Shotguns are the most flexible guns in the game because one gun covers three bands by switching shells: birdshot for class 1 birds and small game, buckshot for close-range class 2–5, and slugs for medium game out to about 60 m. Combination guns add a rifle barrel to the same idea.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caversham Steward 12G | 12 GA · 2 rounds | 12 GA Birdshot 1 12 GA Buckshot 2-5 12 GA Slug 4-8 | Base game | First/free starter shotgun, over-under double; quick follow-up. Unique 'Grankin's Shotgun' variant is a Medved-Taiga quest reward. |
| Cacciatore 12G | 12 GA · 6 rounds | 12 GA Birdshot 1 12 GA Buckshot 2-5 12 GA Slug 4-8 | Base game | Semi-auto style with larger magazine than Caversham; slower reload; expensive. Capacity 6 from one guide only. |
| Grelck Drilling Rifle | 16 GA x2 + 9.3x74R (combination) · 3 rounds | 16 GA Birdshot 1 16 GA Buckshot 2-4 16 GA Slug 4-7 9.3x74R Soft-Point 5-9 9.3x74R Polymer-Tip 5-9 | Weapon Pack 2 | Three-barrel drilling (shotgun + rifle), switch ammo; Falcon 3-9x44 scope. One guide shows 16 GA slug as 4-6/4-8; most sources 4-7. |
| Miller Model 1891 | 10 GA (brass shells) · 3 rounds | 10 GA Brass Birdshot 1-2 10 GA Brass Buckshot 4-7 10 GA Brass Slug 6-9 | Smoking Barrels Weapon Pack | Lever-action 10 gauge; most powerful shotgun class, slow reload. Birdshot listed as class 1 in some sources, 1-2 in others. |
| Strecker SxS 20G | 20 GA · 2 rounds | 20 GA Birdshot 1 20 GA Buckshot 2-4 20 GA Slug 4-7 | Wild Goose Chase Gear | Side-by-side; light, low recoil, good hip-fire; upland birds. |
| Nordin 20SA | 20 GA · 3 rounds | 20 GA Birdshot 1 20 GA Buckshot 2-4 20 GA Slug 4-7 20 GA Steel Birdshot 1 | Duck and Cover Pack | Semi-auto; introduced lead-free steel birdshot (waterfowl). |
| Strandberg 10SA Executive | 10 GA · 4 rounds | 10 GA Birdshot 1-2 10 GA Buckshot 4-7 10 GA Slug 6-9 | High Caliber Weapon Pack | Semi-auto 10 gauge for wetlands/waterfowl and big game at close range. |
| Giddings SSC .410 Coyote | .410 · 1 rounds | .410 Birdshot 1 .410 Buckshot 2-3 .410 Slug 3-5 | Pump, Flip and Fire Pack (Aug 2025) | Folding single-shot shotgun, backpack-friendly; introduced .410 buckshot and slugs. |
| Cassidy Combination Gun | .22 Magnum + 12 GA (combination) · 2 rounds | .22 Mag Jacketed Hollow-Point / Hollow-Point 1-2 12 GA Birdshot 1 12 GA Buckshot 2-5 12 GA Slug 4-8 | Multi-Class Weapon Pack (Apr 2026) | Break-action two-barrel rifle/shotgun; hold reload to switch ammo. |
| Humphrey 10G Coach Gun | 10 GA (brass black-powder) · 2 rounds | 10 GA Birdshot 1-2 10 GA Buckshot 4-7 10 GA Slug 6-9 | Old West Weapon Pack (Sep 2026) | External-hammer double; heavy smoke; partial reload; ammo not bundled. |
| Couso Model 1897 | 16 GA · 5 rounds | 16 GA Birdshot 1 16 GA Buckshot 2-4 16 GA Slug 4-7 | Rancho del Arroyo | Pump-action, 5-shell tube. |
| GOPI 10G Grand | 10 GA (plastic) · 2 rounds | 10 GA Plastic Birdshot 1-2 10 GA Plastic Buckshot 4-7 10 GA Plastic Slug 6-9 | Salzwiesen Park | Over-under; small game & waterfowl. |
| Benelhag 12G | 12 GA · 3 rounds | 12 GA Birdshot 1 12 GA Buckshot 2-5 12 GA Slug 4-8 | Scotland Hunting Reserve | Semi-auto. Not named on Steam page; from two community guides. |
Handguns (10)
Handguns trade range for stealth and weight, and several cover surprisingly big animals. The magnum revolvers reach into class 8–9, which makes them popular for challenge hunts and close stalks in thick cover.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focoso 357 | .357 Magnum | .357 Flat Nose Hard-Cast 2-6 .357 Jacketed Hollow-Point 2-6 | Base game | First pistol; single-action revolver; ~50 m; sidearm, can take a scope. |
| .44 Panther Magnum | .44 Magnum | .44 Flat Nose Hard-Cast 3-8 .44 Jacketed Hollow-Point 3-8 | Base game | Mid-class revolver, ~50 m; can share .44 Magnum ammo with Moradi Model 1894. |
| Rhino 454 | .454 Casull · 5 rounds | .454 Flat Nose Hard-Cast 4-9 .454 Jacketed Hollow-Point 4-9 | Base game | Most powerful pistol; ~50 m; bear-defence sidearm / close big-game. Capacity 5 from one guide only. |
| Mangiafico 410/45 Colt | .410 / .45 Long Colt · 6 rounds | .410 Birdshot 1 .45 Colt Flat Nose Hard-Cast 2-5 | Weapon Pack 2 | Revolver: birdshot for rabbits/ducks, .45 Colt for roe deer/springbok. |
| Andersson .22LR | .22LR · 10 rounds | .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point 1 .22LR Truncated Cone 1 | Weapon Pack 3 | Semi-auto pistol; small game; negligible recoil. |
| 10mm Davani | 10mm Auto · 15 rounds | 10mm Auto Hard Cast Flat Nose 2-6 10mm Auto Jacketed Hollow-Point 2-6 | Assorted Sidearms Pack | Semi-auto pistol with reflex sight. (One guide wrongly calls it a free base-game pistol.) |
| .243 R.Cuomo | .243 · 1 rounds | .243 Soft-Point 2-6 .243 Polymer-Tip 2-6 | Assorted Sidearms Pack | Single-shot break-action pistol for longer-range shots (~150 m). |
| .45 Rolleston | .45 Colt · 5 rounds | .45 Colt Full Metal Jacket 2-5 .45 Colt Flat Nose Hard-Cast 2-5 | Assorted Sidearms Pack | Old West single-action revolver. Capacity 5 per one guide (6 would be typical); unverified. |
| .45-70 Jernberg Superior | .45-70 · 1 rounds | .45-70 Soft-Point Flat Nose 4-9 .45-70 Hollow-Point 4-9 | High Caliber Weapon Pack | Single-shot break-action pistol with scope mount, ~75 m. |
| Maijo .44-40 Special | .44-40 · 6 rounds | .44-40 Black Powder 2-5 .44-40 Full Metal Jacket 2-5 | Old West Weapon Pack (Sep 2026) | Schofield-style top-break revolver with auto extractor. |
Bows (7)
Bows are quiet: shooting doesn’t scare animals as far away, and they put less pressure on need zones. Compound bows use 300 gr (small game), 420 gr (class 2–7) and 600 gr (class 7–9) arrows. Traditional bows use 350, 540 and 700 gr arrows with their own bands.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razorblack Lite CB-60 | Compound bow, 60 lb (per model name; not stated numerically) | 300 gr Small Game Point arrow 1-2 420 gr Broadhead arrow 2-7 600 gr Broadhead arrow 7-9 | Base game | First bow; best ~25 m, max ~50 m; lower accuracy than Bearclaw. |
| Bearclaw Lite CB-60 | Compound bow, 60 lb (per model name) | 300 gr Small Game Point arrow 1-2 420 gr Broadhead arrow 2-7 600 gr Broadhead arrow 7-9 | Free DLC/download (not in regular base game per wiki) | Upgraded Razorblack: higher accuracy, worse hip-shot, pre-installed stabiliser. |
| Hawk Edge CB-70 | Compound bow, 70 lb peak | 300 gr Small Game Point arrow 1-2 420 gr Broadhead arrow 2-7 600 gr Broadhead arrow 7-9 | Base game | Most powerful compound bow; high recoil, ~40 m reliable range; big game. |
| Houyi Recurve Bow | Recurve/reflex bow (draw weight not stated) | 350 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 1-3 540 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 4-7 700 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 8-9 | Weapon Pack 1 | First traditional bow; no sights; quiet; ~40 m. Traditional arrows added with Silver Ridge Peaks. |
| Koter CB-65 | Compound bow (draw weight not stated) | 300 gr Small Game Point arrow 1-2 420 gr Broadhead arrow 2-7 600 gr Broadhead arrow 7-9 | High-Tech Hunting Pack | Versatile compound bow; tracer arrows with LED nock; Brightsight rangefinder sight. |
| Stenberg Takedown Recurve Bow verify | Takedown recurve, ~50 lb (one guide) | 350 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 1-3 540 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 4-7 700 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 8-9 | Ambusher Pack | Lighter draw weight, short range, good handling/accuracy. Arrow compatibility (traditional arrows) inferred, and sources disagree on class coverage (3-8 vs 1-9). |
| Alexander Longbow | Longbow (draw weight not stated) | 350 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 1-3 540 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 4-7 700 gr Broadhead (traditional arrow) 8-9 | Silver Ridge Peaks | Self bow, no sights; shares Houyi arrows (traditional arrows introduced with this DLC). Wiki page lists 700 gr as 6-8 (other sources 8-9). |
Crossbows (2)
Crossbows hold steady at full draw indefinitely, which makes them easier than bows for new archers, with the same quiet, low-pressure advantage.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosspoint CB-165 | 165 lb draw | 300 gr Small Game Point bolt (incl. tracer) 1-2 420 gr Broadhead bolt (incl. tracer) 2-7 600 gr Broadhead bolt (incl. tracer) 7-9 | Weapon Pack 1 | Heavy crossbow, slow reload, ~40 m; Hawken 1-5x30 scope. Steam says 4-bolt quiver; one guide lists 5 - capacity uncertain. |
| Dahler Reverse Draw CB-150 verify | Pistol crossbow, 150 lb class (from name) · 1 rounds | Small-game bolt 1-2 Broadhead bolt 2-5 | Peru Hunting Reserve | Stealth pistol crossbow with red dot. Name spelled 'Daher Reserve Draw' in one article; bolt names/classes from one community guide only. |
Muzzleloaders (2)
Muzzleloaders are single-shot black-powder guns with modern and historic options. They hit hard for their class and are a fun way to play reserves differently.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudzik .50 Caplock | .50 black powder · 1 rounds | .50 Round Ball 3-7 .50 Minie Ball 4-8 | Smoking Barrels Weapon Pack | Civil-war caplock muzzleloader; long complex reload; ball ~100 m, minie ~200 m; Galileo 4-8x32 scope. One ammo guide lists round ball 3-8. |
| Curman .50 Inline | .50 sabot · 1 rounds | .50 Polymer-Tip Sabot 4-8 .50 Hollow-Point Sabot 4-8 | New England Mountains | In-line muzzleloader, ~200 m. Steam page does not name it; from community guides + wiki ammo page. |
Air rifles (1)
The big-bore air rifle is quiet and capable on small-to-medium game inside short range.
| Weapon | Calibre | Ammo & class range | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vasquez Cyclone .45 | .45 air rifle pellet · 7 rounds | .45 Round Nose Pellet 2-4 .45 Hollow-Point Pellet 2-4 | Weapon Pack 3 | Big-bore air rifle; very quiet, low recoil, ~50 m. |
Our Best Picks by Class
There’s no single “best gun” in Call of the Wild, but some weapons cover so much ground that they become the backbone of a loadout. These are the picks we’d build around — starting with base-game weapons so you don’t need DLC.
Class 1
Mallard, European Rabbit, Ring-Necked Pheasant
- Caversham Steward 12G — 12 GA Birdshot
- Nordin 20SA — 20 GA Birdshot
- Kullman .22H — .22H Soft-Point
- Virant .22LR — .22LR Jacketed Hollow-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 300 gr Small Game Point arrow
Class 2
Red Fox, Coyote, Side-Striped Jackal
- Ranger .243 — .243 Soft-Point
- .223 Docent — .223 Soft-Point
- Kullman .22H — .22H Soft-Point
- Zagan Varminter .22-250 — .22-250 Soft-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 300 gr Small Game Point arrow
Class 3
Roe Deer, Blackbuck, Springbok
- Ranger .243 — .243 Soft-Point
- .223 Docent — .223 Soft-Point
- Zagan Varminter .22-250 — .22-250 Soft-Point
- Whitlock Model 86 — .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 420 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 4
Whitetail Deer, Fallow Deer, Eastern Gray Kangaroo
- Ranger .243 — .243 Soft-Point
- .223 Docent — .223 Soft-Point
- Zagan Varminter .22-250 — .22-250 Soft-Point
- Whitlock Model 86 — .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 420 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 5
Wild Boar, Mule Deer, Desert Bighorn Sheep
- Ranger .243 — .243 Soft-Point
- Whitlock Model 86 — .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose
- .270 Huntsman — .270 Soft-Point
- Martensson 6.5mm — 6.5mm Soft-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 420 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 6
Red Deer, Gray Wolf, Gemsbok
- Ranger .243 — .243 Soft-Point
- Whitlock Model 86 — .30-30 Soft-Point Round Nose
- .270 Huntsman — .270 Soft-Point
- Martensson 6.5mm — 6.5mm Soft-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 420 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 7
Black Bear, Roosevelt Elk, Rocky Mountain Elk
- .270 Huntsman — .270 Soft-Point
- Martensson 6.5mm — 6.5mm Soft-Point
- Eckers .30-06 — .30-06 Soft-Point
- F.L. Sporter .303 — .303 Soft-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 420 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 8
Moose, Grizzly Bear, Saltwater Crocodile
- .270 Huntsman — .270 Soft-Point
- Martensson 6.5mm — 6.5mm Soft-Point
- Eckers .30-06 — .30-06 Soft-Point
- F.L. Sporter .303 — .303 Soft-Point
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 600 gr Broadhead arrow
Class 9
Plains Bison, Cape Buffalo, Lion
- 7mm Regent Magnum — 7mm Mag Soft-Point
- .300 Canning Magnum — .300 Mag Soft-Point
- Rangemaster 338 — .338 Soft-Point
- Coachmate Lever .45-70 — .45-70 Soft-Point Flat Nose
- Bow: Hawk Edge CB-70 — 600 gr Broadhead arrow
Starter loadout (base game only)
- Ranger .243 — the starting rifle and the best value in the game. Class 2–6 covers foxes, roe deer, whitetail and fallow deer, and the soft-point ammo is cheap.
- Caversham Steward 12G — birdshot for ducks, geese and rabbits, buckshot up close, and slugs for medium game.
- .270 Huntsman or 7mm Regent Magnum — your first big-game rifle. The 7mm covers class 4–9, from whitetail all the way to bison.
- Hawk Edge CB-70 — a quiet bow that’s easier on need zones, covering class 2–7 with 420 gr arrows and class 7–9 with 600 gr arrows.
Best all-rounders
- 7mm Regent Magnum (class 4–9) — the closest thing to one-gun-does-all for medium and big game.
- .30-06 rifles (Eckers, M1 Iwaniec, Hansson — class 4–8) — classic medium-to-large game calibre with plenty of rifle choices.
- .300 Canning Magnum / Arzyna .300 (class 7–9) — flat-shooting big-game rifles for elk, moose, bears and bison.
- Rangemaster 338 (class 7–9) — the base-game big-game specialist.
For birds and small game
Use birdshot in any shotgun for class 1 birds. Some birds must be shot in the air to earn a medal, including pheasant, quail and ptarmigan. For rabbits and hares at range, the Virant .22LR, Kullman .22H or Joneros .17HMR keep pelts intact.
For dangerous and class-9 game
Rangemaster 338, .300 Magnum rifles, the Coachmate .45-70, the King 470DB double rifle and the Richardsson .500 are made for buffalo, bison and the biggest bears. A polymer-tip or solid load gets through bone on frontal shots.
Ammo Tips That Save Diamonds
- Match the class first, the gun second. A diamond shot with the wrong ammo is downgraded to gold on the harvest check.
- Use polymer-tip on angled shots and at the heavy end of a load’s class band, and soft-point on broadside shots for big blood trails.
- Two shots or fewer. The harvest check fails on the third hit, so take the follow-up shot quickly.
- Never shoot the trophy organ. For most species that’s the skull, so no head shots unless the animal is class 1.
- Zero your scope. Most reserves have long sightlines, and a 200 m shot with a 100 m zero is a gut shot.
Data: compiled October 2026 from store pages for every weapon pack and reserve DLC, the fan wiki's ammunition tables and three detailed Steam community weapon guides, cross-checked where possible. Rows marked verify come from a single source, or from sources that disagree. Game values can change with patches — tell us if you spot one that has.
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Get theHunter: Call of the Wild on Steam → Also on PlayStation and Xbox. Store prices change; check the store for the current price.Independent fan guide · no ads. This guide is an independent, fan-made project by Hunt & Live. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Expansive Worlds, Avalanche Studios Group (Fatalist Development AB), or their partners. Parts of the materials used are property of Fatalist Development or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This material is not approved or endorsed by Fatalist Development AB or any of its affiliates. theHunter: Call of the Wild and all associated animal designs and logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Game screenshots are official promotional images from the game's store pages. These pages carry no ads and are free to read — no sign-up, no paywall. Game values change with patches and DLC; numbers were checked against community and official sources on the date above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.