I bought an XCR II a couple years back and just got to shooting it this year. I found a load that will shoot uner 1" using RL-15 and 250gr TTSX's. I am seriously considering taking it on my semi-ammual moose hunt. Has anyone used a .375 on moose before?
The other rifle that I would use is a 300 wsm using 168gr TTSX's if I dont take the 375. This one has always been my "go to" rifle.
FWIW the shots are normally around 60-75 yds but the last one was right near 300ish.
Which one would you take??

I would think the one you could shoot the best and had the most conficence in.

DF

I guess I would need more info first. What's your moose hunting like? In other words is a easier to pack rifle more important than horse power. A 375 will definitely drop a moose with ease but do you need that much more rifle and will it's size and weight be an issue. If the 375 isn't going to be a hindrance to pack, take it. It's always fun to bloody a new rifle. But if it's going to be a pain I would take the 300 and go with what you know. And 300 yds with a 375 H&H throwing a 250 grainer is nothing to worry about.

I know...I guess I just get the pre-hunt jitters...lol. I know either would work just fine. I just thought it would be interesting to use the 375 since I have never harvested an an animal using that large of a rifle. The 300 wsm I always take w/ me on my hunts.. I know it is just a coin toss.

I was just wondering if anyone has used a 375 on moose before and how they reacted to the shot. Seems for the most part once I have shot them, they just stand there waiting for another.

My hunt area consists of driving a boat up into the sloughs off the Yukon River until I see where several tracks cross the slough. Then I go a few yds up or down and get to where I can see a clearing and the start calling. Now this is not everytime. Once or twice I have rounded a bend in the river and see a bull on the bank and shut off the motor and let the current take me to them. Both rifles are pretty equal in weight....but I too think it would be fun to carry a new rifle.

I shoot moose with my .375 H&H. The last one I shot (with a Barnes copper bullet) had pieces of lung tissue sprayed out for 3 meters behind the moose, but it looked like somebody had driven a sharpened one inch pipe through the moose's thorax -- no bloodshot meat.

The moose was dead.

I hardly ever bother with the .300 and 7mm Mags anymore although I have killed moose with them too. With the same Barnes copper bullets, the .375 always has an exit hole, and there is less bloodshot meat than the smaller faster .300 and 7mm Magnums.

Take the .375 H&H for sure!

John

John, you talked me into it...! Now if I can just find a moose to cooperate.

When using a 375, there's a general rule of thumb: When you take the shot, be sure that you're aiming in the general direction of camp. Then the moose will be killed, cleaned, packed out, and cooked all in one shot.

I've shot two moose with a 375 H&H and one with a .470 NE.

killing one isn't too much of a trick -- but getting it to fall down right where you want to sure makes life a lot easier !

I'll bet the .470 NE is a moose whacking sucker...

DF

Awwww. It aint' THAT bad....

DF

When using a 375, there's a general rule of thumb: When you take the shot, be sure that you're aiming in the general direction of camp. Then the moose will be killed, cleaned, packed out, and cooked all in one shot.
Thats funny! ^^

One of the Natives I hunt w/ told me to carry 20' of rope tied to the front of the boat. He said if the moose is farther than that, keep looking.

He's a smart man!

If I were to ever buy another rifle it would be a 375H&H of some sort. It's been a while since I shot one but from what I remember it wasn't any worse than some 300 mags I've shot. I just need some justification to step up from my ol faithful '06. Hard to do living in Michigan. Although they are kicking around a moose season here.

Give it a try. One of my brothers only has one rifle, and that is a 1964 push feed model 70 that is chambered in 375 H&H. I know he'll be using it on a caribou this year.

The .375 H&H with 270 grain bullets has virtually identical drop to the the .30-06 with 180 gr bullets. Ain't no flies on either. the .300 SM may shoot a tad flatter than either, but not enough to make an iota of difference out to beyond where most of us should be shooting at moose - or any other critter of respectable size.

Moose generally die easy, but slowly, when hit properly with most anything within reason.

I'd take the .375 just for kicks.

I hunted moose with mine last year alas, the only bugger I put the scope on was not what I was looking for so passed on him. I suspect a well placed shot would have resulted in a dead moose.

At your reported 60-75 yards range the wsm will work with good shot placement but its speed is hardly needed any more than the 250 gr loading. for kicks you could build up a 300 or even 350 grain loading in the 2300 area but i'd love to read about the 250 peformance in the mono design.

best of luck.

At 60-75 yards, a .30-30 Win will fill your bill.


R

BTW, plan on cashing my bison bonus points next year. If I am drawn I am going to use my .308 Win. I do have a .45/70, a .338 Win Mag, & a 7MM Rem Mag. The first two hurt too much to shoot, so I don't.


R

Be sure the .308 is legal for bison where you hunt- won't cut the fat in Alaska.

I think.... I've been applying unsuccessfully for 40 years now, so have given up keeping current on some bison regs. Sufficient unto the day and all that (I have it caliber covered, anyhow...)..

If "the first two hurt too much to shoot" you might consider some mitigation options - premium recoil pads, muzzle brakes, double up on the ear protection (YES, it does make a difference in perceived recoil - on the bench at least!!!!) Maybe a mercury tube inletted into the fore-end.

My Ruger .338 comes close to 10 lbs weight with Mag-Na-Porting, and Decelerator recoil pad. (Said pad not even being the the best at reducing felt recoil.) My .338 has less recoil than my '06's, including muzzle jump. But those are about 2 lbs lighter, with identical recoil pads and no Mag-Na-port. Muzzle jump and noise are a huge part of perceived recoil. I seldom shoot the .338 from the bench without doubled up hearing protection. And then it is generally 1-3 shots to check/adjust zero (I know how it shoots!), and go kill something with one shot and an insurance shot, clean gun, and put away for a year or two...

I don't find this regimen painful at all....

Given what I know of the gun and the loads it likes, I'd push it to 500 yards if needed. I shoot moose at under 100 yards, mostly, and carry the .338 because I hunt moose in brown bear habitat. .338 is more comforting than an '06 when staring down at 2 gallons of steaming bear poop....... . But the '06 is every bit as adequate on moose, as I proved a half dozen times over in the earlier years, before I got chicken.

I use other lighter/smaller caliber rifles for longer range, smaller animal prospects in more open country...

November will be my 20th attempt at a bison tag. I've applied every year since I was 11-12 yrs old or so. I hope I don't have to wait as long as you! Hope you score one soon. Of course, I'll use my 358 Norma Mag if I ever get lucky in the draw..

Good Morning, las,

I have had 3 rotator cuff surgeries on my right shoulder, which is why I have had to give up big caliber rifles.

Yes, .308 Win is good for bison where I plan to hunt 'em. With a well-constructed 180 grain bullet, I should have no problem getting one in vitals.


Take care,

R

What, you didn't learn from the first one?.... My rotator cuff surgery was on the left shoulder- I learned not to fall off ladders. But it took throwing baggage for an airline to win back that last 10% or so, after a year of daily pain. It still is a little weak under heavy stress - so I can see how 3 such surgeries could cause recoil stress. Do consider my previously mentioned options on heavier caliber rifles however. They work - especially increased weight guns and super duper recoil pads,for your situation.

I'd use premium bullet in the .308 for bison.

Best wishes for a super hunt.