Deer Hunting Ammo
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Your perfect shot starts with the right deer hunting ammo. At Steinel Ammunition, we build hunting loads with one goal: ethical, reliable performance in real-world conditions, not just the lab. Whether you hunt with a lever gun, a bolt action rifle, or a suppressed setup, Steinel delivers terminal results you can count on.
45-70 Government 405gr. RNFP Trapdoor Load
In Stock$41.39Qty:
Why Hunters Trust Steinel Deer Hunting Ammo
Deer don’t fall to guesswork, and neither should your ammo. Every Steinel hunting load is designed with purpose and verified for velocity, pressure, expansion, and penetration before release. From the brush to the open field, our deer hunting ammunition balances power, precision, and consistency where it matters most.
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The Right Ammo for the Job
Different hunting styles demand different tools. Here’s how Steinel’s deer loads perform in real-world conditions:
.45-70 Government: Straight-wall authority (up to ~200 yards)
The .45-70 remains a favorite for ethical deer kills in thick country and open clearings alike. Steinel’s line covers the full range:
- 300 gr JHP (Extended Range): Flat-shooting load effective to ~200 yards.
- 300 gr JHP (Trapdoor): Safe for 1873 Trapdoors and other vintage rifles — very light recoil, effective to ~100 yards.
- 325 gr Brass Monolithic & 500 gr (Hard/Soft Cast): For hunters needing extreme penetration on large-bodied deer or mixed big game.
- Subsonic 550–777 gr options: Suppressor-ready for deep, quiet performance at close range.
.450 Bushmaster: Straight-wall performance (up to ~150 yards)
A powerhouse for Midwest and Eastern deer hunters. Steinel’s .450 Bushmaster line delivers big-bore energy with precision control.
- 280 gr (Monolithic): Deep penetration for brush country.
- 240 gr (Budget-Friendly): Affordable and consistent accuracy with XTP JHPs
- 250 gr (Extreme Expansion): Rapid energy transfer for clean harvests.
- 425 gr (Subsonic): Suppressed performance with excellent expansion and weight retention.
.458 SOCOM: Big-bore power from your AR (up to ~150 yards)
When you need heavy momentum and AR compatibility, Steinel’s .458 SOCOM brings confidence to the field. Available in supersonic and subsonic options, each load is engineered for reliable expansion or penetration through dense tissue and heavy bone- exactly what close-range deer and hog hunters demand.
.300 JHP & Trapdoor Loads: Effective, classic performance
Modern shooters and vintage rifle owners both trust Steinel’s .300 JHP series.
- Extended-Range 300 gr JHP: Tuned for flatter trajectory and retained energy to ~200 yards.
- 300 gr Trapdoor JHP: Safe for relic rifles, soft-shooting and accurate to ~100 yards.
- 300gr Goldilocks JHP: Not too much recoil, not too light….but just right. This ~1,800 FPS load is extremely popular for it’s balance of accuracy, energy, and recoil.
Lever-Gun Classics: .357 Magnum & .44 Magnum – Short-range, fast-handling power
For brush-country and close-quarters deer work, Steinel offers .357 and .44 Magnum lever-action loads that hit far above their weight.
- .357 Magnum: Includes .38 Special subsonic options for quiet practice and short-range hunting.
- .44 Magnum: Available in 400 gr heavy subsonic (deep penetration) and 275 gr SCHP (rapid expansion) for clean, close-range shots.
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Bullet Construction Matters
- JHP / SCHP: Controlled / extreme expansion and retained weight, ideal for deer-sized game.
- Brass Monolithic: Maximum penetration and straight-line performance through bone and hide.
- Hard & Soft Cast Lead: Deep, reliable penetration for straight-wall rifles and brush conditions.
- Subsonic Heavy Bullets: Optimized for suppressors delivering high momentum at low velocity.
Verified Performance
Steinel ammunition is lot-verified not mass-guessed. Each production lot is chronographed, pressure-checked, and terminally tested to ensure consistent performance before release.
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Field-Proven Hunting Tips
- Brush & woods (0–100 yds): ..44/.357 lever guns.
- Brush & woods (0–150 yds): .45-70, .450 Bushmaster
- Mixed terrain (100–200 yds): 300 JHP Extended Range or heavier .45-70 loads.
- Suppressed setups: Subsonic .450, .458 SOCOM, or .45-70 for low signature and high momentum.
- Vintage rifles: Use Trapdoor-safe 300 gr JHP for performance without stress on old actions and stocks.
FAQs
Q: What’s the best caliber for deer hunting?
A: For most conditions, .45-70 is hard to beat. .450 Bushmaste, 458 SOCOM, and 12.7×42 are excellent choices modern AR builds. They all offers big-bore performance and offer more than enough energy for deer-sized game..
Q: Are subsonic loads effective on deer?
A: Yes, when paired with proper bullet design at realistic distances. Steinel’s subsonic offerings are built for deep penetration and ethical kills.
Q: Can I hunt with my lever gun?
A: Absolutely. Several of our .357 and .44 Magnum loads are optimized for lever guns, providing dependable short-range stopping power.
