Favorite cartridge/rifle for moose

[grand veneur]

This topic is often discussed on European hunting Forums outside of Scandinavia and opinions regarding cartridges vary widely. Very different cartridges are often recommended, ranging from caliber 270 to 375. For the few moose I shot in far eastern Russia, I used the cartridge 9,3x64. I don't know if I was over-gunned, but other hunters had the same good working on moose with the cartridge 30-06 Springfield.

 

[Longwalker]

I’ve shot more moose with a .308 and 180/165 gr. Bullets than I have with any other cartridge. No complaints at all. I’ve also had good results with 7x57, .30-06, .30R Blaser, .356 win, .35 Wh. .375H&H and .450-400 3” . All the bigger cartridges offer over a .308 is a little more confidence in heavy brush where shot placement/angle may not be ideal. In all cartridges, I prefer mid-heavy weight bullets. No 150 grain bullets in .30 calibre for me.
I won’t shoot at a moose at more than 300M range, and have never felt a “need” to do so. Stalking skills beats trajectory as an effective moose hunting strategy in my experience.
I feel the “ ideal” moose cartridge is in the .35 Whelen / 9.3x62 / .338 category but often a light & handy .308 seems nicer to carry.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Have taken my share of moose. First was in Alaska behind my cabin in the Talkeena foothills. I’ve taken them with
7 mm mag
348 Winchester
30-06
300 Win mag
9.3/62
416 Rigby
In 22 years of guiding my clients have used everything from 270 to 375. My favorite was the 300 Win mag. Followed by 348 and 9.3

 

[MS 9x56]

Marlin lever in .30-30,.35 rem or .45-70, I hunt thick slash and keep all my shots within 100 yards,I like my animals in close,as a bowhunter,I want the adrenaline rush of up close and in tight....

I share your passion up close and tight has gotten me into a pickle a couple of times but I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s what I love about still hunting.

 

[BeeMaa]

I have no problem with those that want to use a 6.5x55SE or 270WIN for moose. My issue is what else may be in the woods while I'm hunting them. Given the very real threat of brown (or possibly black) bear, I'd be packing my 375H&H.

 

[ldmay375]

Almost that time of year again. I will be gathering and packing gear today.

I am talking the same 20" stainless 416 Ruger with 350 TTSX. Unfortunately, never took the time to get the CEB 325 grain Maximus load finalized. I need to prioritize that, after this season. I think that 325 Maximus is going to fantastic in the 416's.

My personal preferences still starts will the 338 Winchester and a 225 grain copper bullet. Heck, maybe the 35 Whelen in a stainless bolt gun, with today's loads would be near perfect. I don't have one, so the 338 Winchester or the 375 Ruger for me in the below .40's.

I really like my 20" 416 Ruger for the area that I hunt. A handy rifle to me, and of course the 350 grain coppers have worked outstandingly. No complaints using the 338 Winchester nor 375 Ruger with the 225 and 270 TSX. If 200 yards or more were in the realm of my shooting, I would probably choose the tipped versions.

Edit: I have never been particularly concerned with being over gunned. Under bulleted / not performing for the particular task, yes is a concern.

 

[pilar]

I have no problem with those that want to use a 6.5x55SE or 270WIN for moose. My issue is what else may be in the woods while I'm hunting them. Given the very real threat of brown (or possibly black) bear, I'd be packing my 375H&H.

Yep!
I moose hunted on the naknek river in Alaska with a .300wm and never fell under gunned till the bears started showing up regularly and I wished I had a .375

 

[Phil Giordano]

My bet would be my 8x68S, 200g RWS Evo, Swar Z6i 1/6. My favourite caliber in a rifle I shot very well, and I guess enough gun in Grizzly Country.

 

[The Lion Tamer.....]

Debating on a Tikka t3x lite battue, I just want something new and a bolt gun,I haven't decided on caliber but I will be using it for moose,as It is the main reason I am looking for a new hunting rifle,actually the only reason,I want something light,smooth and reliable, I'll be using a right handed bolt as a southpaw,as I find Lefty bolts way too awkward....too bad no .338 in the battue.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I personally prefer a good .30-06 Springfield loaded with 220Gr Remington Core Lokts.

 

[Raven]

The large size of the moose should not mislead anyone. He is big and strong, but does not tolerate injuries well. It is not necessary to shoot it with African calibers; it will easily die from a .30-06.

 

[BryceM]

They’re big, but not so hard to kill. Kind of like kudu that way. Probably that’s mostly due to having huge vitals. Anything in the .308 class is probably fine. Plenty have died perfectly well from bullets in the 7mm class.

 

[RLD]

I have been hunting moose for about 40 years now. About 80% I took with a .308 and the other 20% with .32 Winchester Special. They have both always seemed up to the task with 165, 170 or 180 gr bullets.

Where I hunt it is very rare I can see a target at 200 meters or so, so long shots are not really an issue for me.

 

[Atticus]

I took a nice bull in northern Maine with my 30-06 and Winchester 165 grain failsafe back in ‘03. He dropped in his tracks.

I was fortunate enough to draw again this year and the 9.3x62 will get the call with 286 grain Aframes. I expect up close shooting but in case I need to stretch things across a cutting later in the week, I’ll have the 300 H&H (175 barns LRX) along too.

 

[The creed]

Hard to go wrong with a .30/06 in your choice of quality Bolt action rifles... any of the "7's" will be great... M70, M77, M700.

 

[Foxi]

My bet would be my 8x68S, 200g RWS Evo, Swar Z6i 1/6. My favourite caliber in a rifle I shot very well, and I guess enough gun in Grizzly Country.

better than the .300 WM
To sad that it has no marketing in these days that deserves it.


I recently read a comment by a Canadian about the .300WM:
"It's a .30-06 that you have to shoot downhill because the bullet wants to go home".

 

[Challer]

There is no doubt my 06 will do the job but I always take the 9.3x74r or 375. I don’t get to shoot them enough and there are other critters that require the larger bore should they present themselves.

 

[Phil Giordano]

better than the .300 WM
To sad that it has no marketing in these days that deserves it.


I recently read a comment by a Canadian about the .300WM:
"It's a .30-06 that you have to shoot downhill because the bullet wants to go home".

Totally agree
The Big8 is indeed a geat caliber I would love to see more often used!

 

[Northern Shooter]

338 WM with 230gr is mo goto.

Taking the 416 Rigby this year, just because.

 

[coreydb]

For me it was 30.06, then 7mm rem mag, then 8mm Mauser, then, 9.3x62, lastly 300 win mag. Next moose hunt like Northern Shooter, will be 416 (but in Rem Mag). just because.