Last Updated on by Samuel Franklin
theHunter: Call of the Wild Best Rifle For All Classes
Finding the best rifle in theHunter: Call of the Wild for each of the appropriate class of hunts is a common new player challenge given the wealth of options available through the base game and various DLCs. With several dozen choices across rifles, handguns, shotguns, bows and further complications through your available content weapon packs and current objective your choice of weapon is surprisingly harder than new players might expect. Equally if players intend to hunt for all the respective diamond trophies or rare animal furs that the game has to offer players need to ensure they are using a class appropriate weapon at all times.
In this guide I will detail some of the theHunter: Call of the Wild best weapons with a primary focus on the best rifles given these are a staple of most of your hunts. While best is often subjective and somewhat based on player preference the intention of this list is to not just detail the most powerful options and instead focus on providing options that are either non DLC exclusive or readily available without significant cost so that players can acquire useful weapon choices without spending significant real life or game money.
Table of Contents:
– Best Weapons Overview
– Best Weapons Detail
theHunter: Call of the Wild Best Weapons & Best Rifles Overview
This overview section includes a useful reference table for players with further detail on what makes each weapon such a great choice further down on this guide for players that prefer to dive into the detail of each weapon. While the focus is definitely on the best rifles in this guide I’ve included at least one non-rifle option as they do still serve a purpose during your hunts or may just be a personal preference.
The dot points below also summarise some of the considerations that make particular weapons useful and the basis for their inclusive on this list of best weapon options in theHunter: Call of the Wild:
- Availability: Base game weapons that do not require DLC are important to be aware of as it allows players to be a competitive hunter without relying on additional game purchases beyond the base game.
- In Game Cost: With many weapons quickly adding significant cost it is easy for weapons to be a large money sink in theHunter: Call of the Wild. By utilising options that are relatively cheap or even free from the start players can minimise the demands on your cash reserves and spend less time on the best map for money and more time hunting what they want.
- Number of Shots: An important consideration when choosing your best weapon is if players want to be able to perform a follow up shot. While some of the strongest weapon choices are single shot weapons this often needs to be balanced against the flexibility of follow up shots that is particularly useful for newer players that might lack weapon upgrades or skills to make hunting easier.
- Maximum Effective Range: The further you can be from your hunt the less chance that they will escape which makes longer range weapons critical. This may be influenced by the base weapon, modifications or even the ammunition although the base gun is important.
- Class Diversity: With animals ranging from class 1 to class 9 weapons that have a wider spread of classes add great diversity to creating the theHunter: Call of the Wild best loadout available. Stronger weapon options will usually have ammunition that can be effective against many class options so that players are prepared for many different encounters if an opportunity presents itself.
| Weapon | Type | Class | Available From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cacciatore 12G | Shotgun | 1 – 8 | Base Game ($48k) | The free Caversham Steward 12G is likely your best alternative shotgun (and low class weapon in general) until you can afford this option. |
| Rhino 454 | Handgun | 4 – 9 | Base Game ($48k) | |
| Virant .22LR Express | Rifle | 1 | Weapon Pack 1 | |
| Ranger .243 | Rifle | 2 – 6 | Base Game (Free) | A great money making tool with a free weapon and free ammunition option although players should progress to the paid ammunition where possible. |
| ZARZA-10 .308 | Rifle | 4 – 8 | Modern Rifle Pack | |
| Malmer 7mm Magnum | Rifle | 4 – 9 | Hunter Power Pack DLC | The 7mm Regent Magnum can serve as a non DLC alternative at $36k although provides only 1 magazine size instead of 3. |
| .300 Canning Magnum Frontier | Rifle | 7 – 9 | Yukon Valley DLC |
theHunter: Call of the Wild Best Weapons Detail
In this detailed section the best rifles and weapons of theHunter: Call of the Wild I detail the reasons behind my personal recommendations and some of the potential alternatives for the DLC weapon options so that all players have an option.
Cacciatore 12G
Shotguns have an important place in the Call of the Wild game meta given they are a flexible option that supports ammunition for anywhere between class 1 and 8. While they don’t quite have the accuracy of a rifle that can make them troubling to use for trophy hunts they are consistent and reliable for hunting nearly every potential animal in the game. When combined with a scope (Meridian 1-4×20 Shotgun Scope) this weapon is a deadly option that can be effective up to 75m with a 6 magazine capacity that allows for follow up shots. The major weakness of this shotgun is the money investment required to reach this effective point although the free starting shotgun (Caversham Steward 12G) is surprisingly effective right out of the gate with similar ammo options although a smaller magazine size of 2.
Rhino 454
One of the few handguns worth considering in theHunter: Call of the Wild which means most can be safely ignored and not unlocked by the player as there are better weapons for each class of animal available. With a 5 magazine capacity this weapon can actually go all the way from class 4 to class 9 that gives it good flexibility for the size of the weapon although lacks the range of the higher powered rifles below that means players will likely be getting too close to comfort for most hunting. If players are interested in trying the handgun archetype then the free to use 10mm Davani can be a good training tool with its 15 magazine capacity before you splash the cash on this expensive handgun.
Virant .22LR Express
A community favourite this .22 rifle is only effective at class 1 but is the absolute best option when hunting these smaller animals. This can only be obtained through Weapon Pack 1 which provides players with a consistent large magazine capacity option (10) that means you can generally shoot multiple targets before they escape. The additional range compared to your other class 1 weapon options which are primarily bows and shotguns is also welcomed.
Ranger .243
Focused on the 2-6 class range this weapon is one that players start the base game with and even comes with a free ammunition option (soft point) that makes it one of the best rifles for money making as you are reducing a key element of your total hunt costs. When money isn’t your focus players will want to load up on the paid ammunition options to ensure they achieve higher penetration values for important hunts.
ZARZA-10 .308
Fitting in the middle of the road this .308 weapon option is the best rifle in its class but does require the Modern Rifle Pack to be purchased first. With great range and a 5 magazine players have all the tools necessary for the harder to find and hunt options that make this a staple rifle for many players in the Call of the Wild community. While there are many great rifles that fill a similar role in the 4-8 class range the only reasonable option for non DLC gamers is the .270 Huntsman which is available for $12k in the base game.
Malmer 7mm Magnum
Pushing players all the way up to class 9 this weapon covers the 4-9 range and is available in the Hunter Power Pack DLC as a bolt action rifle with a magazine size of 3. As a bolt action rifle this weapon can comfortably be used at some of the longest hunting ranges available in theHunter: Call of the Wild to ensure you never miss an animal that catches your attention. If players are opting to play without DLC the 7mm Regent Magnum provides similar levels of functionality and is available for $36k to purchase although is a single shot only so players will be punished if they lack precession given the long reload time means follow up shots are near impossible.
.300 Canning Magnum Frontier
Last but not least on our list of theHunter: Call of the Wild best rifle options this weapon is for only the highest of classes with a 7-9 range that provides superb range and damage which is matched with its initial buy price of $75k and expensive ammunition options. With the base game lacking any notable alternative your second best option is the Tsurugi LRR .338 in the Hunter Power Pack DLC which might be tempting given it also contains the powerful 7mm Magnum noted above.
