Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game first moose hunt...which rifle....bullet combo

Well,I have a 30-06 and a 338wm. Never hunted with either, but both shoot well. I will most likely take both with as I'll want a back-up. Which should I plan on hunting with and what bullet would you suggest for both? BTW, both are topped with VX3's 2.5x8's

I've never found the .30-06 lacking against moose. I'd use a Partition. 180 or heavier.

I haven't started loading for the 06 as of yet. I'll most likely see how the 180's shoot. The 338 really likes the first load I loaded for it..... a 250 game king.

I have shot exactly one moose and that was with my 338 with a 225 TSX bullet. Either would work just fine from what I saw/ have heard. Good hunting..

I have taken a lot of moose over the years with different caliber 's , but my favourite moose gun is my .338 with 225 partitions. The .338 makes a tough shoulder shot on a big bull a little better.

Nothing wrong with either caliber. Use the one you are most comfortable shooting. And good luck. Hunting moose is a great time until you pull the trigger. Lol

I have shot them with quite a few different cartridges and bullets and cleaned up a bunch shot with different bullets. This fall I shot my bull with a 30-06 and a 168gr TTSX.

I have used quite a few C&C and NPTs on them in 30 caliber.

Because I like to eat moose I use the X bullets. The reduced amount of damage they do to meat is extremely easy to see. They are also big enough that I want an anchor if they are near water. You have to go through the shoulders for that... as the old song goes you can eat right up to the hole... not so much with any lead core bullet.

I watched three bulls get shot with the 338WM and 210gr TTSX bullets this past fall... all died...

Alternate carrying them day to day and see which one is going to be the lucky gun Either will do the job nicely. For the 30-06 anything form a 150 gr TTSX or E tip on up will work if you want a mono bullet, I would load a 165-180 gr Accubond or Partition myself. For the 338 a 200-225 gr TTSX, E tip, Partition or Accubond is where I would look.

If you were ever looking for a reason to use your .338 Win Mag, you have it now! One of the better cartridge choice for moose hunting. I've shot several moose over the years with a 7mm Rem Mag, .35 Whelen, .300 WSM and my last two with my .375 Ruger. Most loaded with TSX AND TTSX bullets. That being said, my partner who's not as much of a gun loonie, has shot as many as I have with his .30-06.

My choice would be your .338 Win Mag loaded with 225gr TTSX.

I do have some 225x bullets for the 338. I assume they will drill shoulder if the need arises.

That would be cool, hopefully I actually shoot something.

Either will work! Premium bullets are a plus. My wife's last moose was with a .338 WM with a Barnes 225. Moose never took another step, with a nice exit wound. Tracking would have been real easy,though not necessary! memtb

Both have been successful on all NA game. More important will be where you shoot your moose.

Shoot it near a road.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

It's a fly-in. Got get it to the boat.

On a fly-in you will be very weight limited, usually. I assume you are too smart to go alone... pick just one rifle and bring an extra scope... if you have a failure beyond the scope you can use your partner's rifle if yours fails, and vice versa.

You should be fine as long as you are not using A-Borts!

I've taken moose with both the 30-06 and the 308, usually with 180-gr. Partitions, but I've also used 165-gr. Hornady BTSP's and Interbonds.

Moose are not that hard to kill. Hit them in the boiler room with anything reasonable and they will go down - not usually right away, though (unless you hit the central nervous system). They like to walk a bit before falling down. Also, they frequently don't show much reaction to being hit.

A friend here in the valley is a bear guide and his favourite personal hunting is for moose on horseback. He started shooting them with a 308, and then, after a few years, decided that he'd move to a 338. After taking a few moose with his 338, he went back to the 308, as he noticed no difference in results. His experience mirrored mine - he said that he'd shoot them in the lungs, then they walked off about 30- 50 yards and collapsed when their lungs filled up.

If you're worried about running into Mr. Grizz, then by all means pack the 338, but for moose it's not really necessary.

I shot my Shiras with my .300WSM and 165 gr Barnes TSX, only went 15 yards and tipped over.

Either.. The 06 with 165 or 180 Part. and the .338 with 225 part. or 210's.. Much would depend if there was a chance at a longer shot..

Where will you be?

Bigger cartridge is not really needed for bears either...