What weapons are good for hunting animals in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Hunting Animals in Red Dead Redemption 2: Which Weapons to Use?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, hunting animals can be a thrilling experience. Whether you’re looking for meat to cook, fur to craft, or taxidermy to display in your camp, there’s no shortage of opportunities to go hunting. But what weapons are best suited for taking down these furry targets?

Bows, Repeater, and Rifles: The Best Firearms for Hunting

According to multiple sources, bows and repeating rifles are excellent options for hunting animals in RDR2. Both are capable of landing a perfect kill if used correctly.

Bows
A bow with Poison Arrows can take down even the biggest of game, such as Bison, Elk, and Boar. This is critical for obtaining the best pelts, which require a perfect kill to yield the most valuable rewards.

Repeaters
The Repeater Carbine, with its high velocity rounds, is an excellent weapon for hunting smaller game such as Deer, Turkey, and Rabbit. Large animals, like Bear, will require a different tactic – more on that below.

Rifles
Rifles like the Varmint Rifle are designed specifically for hunting small game, and are a great alternative to bows. .243 Winchester is recommended for hunting smaller animals. When hunting larger animals like deer, a Mauser or Cleaver would work best.

When Hunting with Rifles, What Are the Best Rounds for a Perfect Kill?

The Secret to a Perfect Kill? Accuracy and Distance

As seen in the table, calibre and purpose differ for various animal types. A perfect kill, achievable with bows and rifles, requires accuracy and distance. Aim at the heart or skull, and lead the shot accordingly.

When using a rifle, position yourself at a maximum range of 70 yards (64 meters), or less to ensure a clean shot. Keep quiet and still to sneak up on your prey before the shot.

Thowing Knives: No Easy Feat

Attempting a perfect kill with a throwing knife (Poison or regular) will result in a non-perfect pelt unless used on small animals, like Rabbit or Ground Hog. Don’t try this on larger prey – it’s unlikely to result in a perfect kill.

Remember: perfect kills only count for pelts on a clean kill, resulting from a single hit to the heart or head. Explosives, guns, or incomplete kills will yield low-value pelts or not score at all.

Stay silent, stay mobile, and stay accurate, if you want to harvest that prized pelt in style!