How many different rounds have you used to take moose and rate them. Just curious.
25-06 Rem 115 Partition. Surprisingly good 7mm STW 150 Partition. Excellent 30-06 . Many different bullets. Really Good 300 Win mag. Power Points Failsafe and 150 E tips. Excellent 303 Brit. Sucks dick 338 Win mag.250gr Accubonds and X Bullet. Excellent.
Never had the opportunity to moose hunt but one of my buddies recently returned from Canada where he went on his first moose hunt. He was successful. I forgot the details already but it was an average bull and I forgot the range and haven't even seen his pictures yet. However; he did use his 30-378 Weatherby and according to him it was superb which was kind of what I had figured. He's a very good shot under field conditions and I knew he was using (more than) enough gun. His load was a 168 Gr, Barnes TTSX BT with 105 gr. of RL-25 behind it. I know that for sure because I load all his ammo. He has a 300 Weatherby and a 300 RUM also which would have been more than sufficient and even his 280 which I've heard is also an option. If I ever had a moose tag I have a 300 WSM and a decent handload with a 180 gr. Partition that would get the call. Then I could leave my sporterized #4 Lee enfield in 303 Brit. at home and maybe bring my 25-06 as a back-up gun.
With a good bullet I wouldn't hesitate to use the 25 06 on a moose. I've yet to recover a 115 Partition and the furthest one has gone is about 30 feet from a good lung hit. The moose I got last fall was 625 pounds dressed on the hook hanging. That bull never took a step. Took out both lungs and broke the far shoulder upon bullet exiting.
7, we don’t get to hunt moose often, it is a draw here.. Ours are the smallest of the moose clan.. In addition to my late wife’s hunts and mine, I have gone with several friends over the last years.. On our first hunt my wife killed huge cow with a model 54 .30-06 and a 180 Sierra SPBT.. For got the load, but probably 4350 or 4831.. The cow only ran 80 yards but enough to get across a frozen beaver dam where we could not drive.. Second hunt in the early 80’s, I shot a small bull though the lungs with a 165 grain Sierra HPBT from my .300 win.. 72.5 gr. Of I 4350.. It ran maybe 30 yards.. Third hunt, mid 80’s went with a fellow worker.. He shot a good bull with a 175 gr. Rem. Fac. From a 7mm mag. head shot dropped it right there.. 4th was my boss and his wife.. She had a tag, the both shot at the same time .30-06’s 180’s.. Cow ran 30 yards.. 5th was the mid 90’s. I shot a small bull walking away with my .300 Win and a 200 gr. Part. 72 gr. Of Re 22(ammo left over from Africa) Shot behind the shoulder I found the bullet at the base of its ear.. Dropped right there.. 6th early 2000.. My wife’s permit.. Our old 7mm Rem Mag. Custom. 69.5 RE 22 140 BTBT .. Huge cow .. One shot 1/3 of the way up behind the shoulder! One step and she fell.. 7th, early 2000’s my permit. 7MM Wea Mag. 72.5 7828 160 gr. Sierra HPBT. Front shot in the neck low.. Dropped on the spot, but she got up immediately.. She got out of the beaver pond thank goodness got on dry ground and turned broadside. A shot behind the shoulder dropped her on the spot.. 8th 2014.. Cow hunt. 375 H & H 260 gr. Accubonds and I 4350. Across a small lake.. The first shot hit her neck.. She dropped but continued to kick.. I shot two more times trying to stop her from rolling in the lake.. Not many moose, but they were fun.. And great eating.. Our favorite of all wild game except maybe bison..
220 gr Silvertip - worked but jacket and core separated 180 gr Speer G.S. - worked very well, since they changed it I'm not sure about today's version 180 gr Fail Safe - worked good
308 Norma Mag
180 gr Speer Mag Tip - worked quite well even at close range
35 Whelen
225 gr Ballistic Tip - worked great 225 gr TSX - worked very well on my biggest bull 225 gr Accubond - works very well too
That's all I can remember right now, shot more than one with some of the loads listed. This year I'm running both the 200 gr Accubond and 200 gr TTSX in my 35 Whelen, going to use the Nosler in open country and the Barnes in the timber. I like them both and they shoot to the same point of aim. I was going to develop a load with the 250 gr Oryx but ran out of time to do it, maybe next year. Going to also take my 270 Win as a back up loaded up with 160 gr Partitions.
Last edited by gerry35; 10/14/17. Reason: added info
I have never shot a moose, I would like to some day. I would however, question the disdain for the 303 British. If I hear correctly, the round has put many moose in the freezer.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
I have never shot a moose, I would like to some day. I would however, question the disdain for the 303 British. If I hear correctly, the round has put many moose in the freezer.
Stick a 174 gr Woodleigh PP or a 215 gr RN and it would be every bit as good as a 308 or even 30-06. For black bears I liked the 180 gr Speer RN, should be fine for moose as well.
I just found my Parker Hale 303 to be lacking in too many area's. When I packed one the only load I could obtain was factory Super X 180gr silver tip. Later on I tried the 180gr Federal load and the results were just as dismal. I found it didn't have the knock down power at close or longer ranges. Compared to other rounds the trajectory drop was unacceptable and hitting animals with a good shot just to have them stand there then run off like nothing ever happened doesn't inspire confidence of any kind. I never lost an animal but follow up shots was the common theme . My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game. But hey that's just one mans opinion..
The majority of mine were taken with .270 Win. with 150 gr. Partition. Nothing dramatic they stood around and thought about it for a couple of minutes before either dropping on the spot or moving off a short distance. Got a .338 Win and saw an immediate difference in how quickly they dropped. In this case bigger is better.
Shot a handful of bulls with a 300 win mag and 180 partitions, and one with the same rifle and speer hot cores. Predictably the partitions with that cartridge were very effective with a couple animals dropping at the shot and the balance only moving perhaps 25 yards. (I am traditionally a lung shooter, from way back!). The speer did the job but did not hold together well at all and lacked the penetration I was used to. I'd not use that combo again.
Moose hunting is on a draw here so one gets tags few and far between. In 30yrs I've shot only three moose. 1 with 35Whelen and 2 with a 375Chatfield-Taylor. Both moose shot with the 375 showed no reaction to well placed shots in the lungs at under 100yds. I knew they were good shots so just watched and waited. The one shot with the 35 took a 250gr Speer behind the ear at very close range. Tossed it down like a rag doll.
I sold all my 375 stuff a couple yrs ago for a lighter/less recoil M700 1:12" Lilja 35Whelen. That's more than than enough for the moose here.
My sample of one died in its foot prints from a 127 Barnes LRX out of a 6.5-06 at 50yds give or take. Went in under its right eye thru the spine traveled down the neck and and was laying against the hide at the left shoulder. Bull was looking back over his shoulder at me the only thing not covered in brush was it head..I think a .22 LR would of done the job though with that shot placement.
I've always been different with one foot over the line.....
Probably a few other combinations, but those are what I remember off the top of my head. Lots of experimenting; many bullets were tried as follow-up/insurance deals.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
Moose hunting is on a draw here so one gets tags few and far between. In 30yrs I've shot only three moose. 1 with 35Whelen and 2 with a 375Chatfield-Taylor. Both moose shot with the 375 showed no reaction to well placed shots in the lungs at under 100yds. I knew they were good shots so just watched and waited. The one shot with the 35 took a 250gr Speer behind the ear at very close range. Tossed it down like a rag doll.
I sold all my 375 stuff a couple yrs ago for a lighter/less recoil M700 1:12" Lilja 35Whelen. That's more than than enough for the moose here.
you will need a .366 or .375 again for our moose ....
Probably a few other combinations, but those are what I remember off the top of my head. Lots of experimenting; many bullets were tried as follow-up/insurance deals.
358Norma, 250gr. Barnes X One shot thru the chest stopped him and made him very sick before falling over. 338 Win, 200Gr TSX, Also one shot and dropped. 338 Win, 225GR CoreLoc. Frontal shot to the chest. Dropped instantly, Never looked for the bullet, but it was in the guts. 30-06 150Gr TSX Another thru the chest and stopped him immediately.
All but the coreloc were pass thrus, but I wasn't dissapointed in the results with any. Not dramatic, bang flop type kills, but it stopped them and they went down quickly. I've had pretty much the same experiences with elk, black bears and caribou.
"243/85TSX It's as if the HAMMER OF THOR were wielded by CHUCK NORRIS himself, and a roundhouse kick thrown in for good measure."
My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game. But hey that's just one mans opinion..
I suspect that a lot of people would disagree with you. Karamojo Bell killed a bunch of elephants with it, and they're pretty large and heavy. But, as you say, we're all entitled to our opinions.
My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game. But hey that's just one mans opinion..
I suspect that a lot of people would disagree with you. Karamojo Bell killed a bunch of elephants with it, and they're pretty large and heavy. But, as you say, we're all entitled to our opinions.
Makes no difference who likes it or used it. Or how large the game was. I will never like it. Feel the same way about the 30-30 Win and the 410.
.22Mag pistol (car hit - several) .243 (1) 100 gr Corelokt .270 (1). 150 gr C&C .30-30 (1). 170? gr Silvertip .30-06. Various C&C, Partitions .308 Norma mag (1) 180 Norma C&C 338WM. Various C&C, premiums 12 Guage slug (smoothbore) (1)
The moose all died forthwith. Hard to rate them on that basis. The one that died hardest (yearling) took 3 Factory 250 gr TB, and a Gameking from the .338 before he went down. (The TBs "overpenetrated" broadside..... but if you want to do a Texas heart shot, I'll recommend them! ) Admittedly, the .22Mag was to the head from a few feet away. Rest taken with '06 or .338 - about evenly divided- maybe a tad in favor of the '06. '06 and .338 are my preferences, tho I'm hoping I get the chance to take one with my .260
I have killed 4 2 with a 375H&H. One with a 300 grain Sierra at long range . One with 2 Speer 285 Gr Grand Slams. Both acted un-hit for a few seconds and then fell. One (the 300 grain hit) moved about 30 yards. The other hit with the 285 grain bullets moved about 10 feet before falling. Found the Sierra jacket but the core exited. Both Speer's exited and as far as I can tell neither expanded at all. One hit a rib as it exited and the hole was round in the rib bone, which was not even broken off.
One with a 348 Winchester. Moose flinched and moved behind a patch of alders I moved about 30 yards up a hill to get a 2nd shot. Before I could fire again it fell dead. Bullet was a 200 grain Hornady. Found against the skin of the off side. Perfect mushroom.
One with a 62 cal flintlock with a Wheel Weight cast round ball, and 140 grains of 3F powder. Bull fell at the shot and never took a step. Fastest kill of the 4, by far!
Several one-shot kills with a .338WM and the following bullets (all except for one are factory ammo): -250-grain NOS HE from Federal (hot loads but not longer sold by Federal) -225-Grain Lubalox-coated (from Winchester, I believe) -250-grain A-Frame (my handled) -225-grain 3-Shock
Several other moose took more than one shot because I didn't do my part at the start.
I guess I'll ask sort of the same questions here. I've got a 30-06 Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather and a Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen. What bullets would y'all recommend?
Certainly not the level of experience as some posters but my direct experience is. > 30-06 with a 180 Gr. NPT @ approx. 80 yards away. > 35 Whelen with a 250 Gr. Speer Spitzer a touch less than a 100 yards away. > 338 Win. Mag with a 250 Gr. NPT about a 125 yards across a bog. All of them took a moment to realize that they were next heading to the freezer, none went more than 25 yards before falling over. Then the fun started, there is a lot of moose on a moose.
Over the years my family and friends have used a 270 WCF, 308 WCF, 30-06, 7mm Rem. Mag, 300 Win. Mag, 303 Brit., 348 WCF, 30-40 Krag, 35 Whelen , 404 Jeffery and a 375 H&H for moose and nothing required more than two shots; almost all of them used factory ammunition with no ill effects.
I've only been in on 2 moose kills. Both in Idaho. One was a 30-06 with Rem 220 factory ammo at about 40 yds. Stalked to broadside shot. Busted onside shoulder, wrecked the lungs, stuck under hide of offside behind shoulder. Moose collapsed at shot. "Deadliest Mushroom...blah blah blah." Second was a primitive weapons area. Step-father opted for a big 12 gauge Foster slug. High shoulder shot from 30-35yds dropped it immediately. Huge corn-fed sumbich. Best tasting "wild" meat I've ever had.
Fork Bull - 85gr Sonic Broadhead - Through the lungs at 20 yards. Moose died within 100 yards. Cow - 125gr G5 Striker - Top of the heart at 45 yards. Moose died within 20 yards. Cow - .338 WIN MAG 250gr Speer Grand Slam - Lungs and liver at 100 yards. Moose died within 30 yards Spike Bull - 125gr G5 Striker - Lungs then exit just forward of hind quarter at 50 yards. Moose died within 200 yards. Cows - 375 H&H 300gr Nosler Accubond - Lungs at 75 yards. Moose died within 10 yards. Another in the lungs at 165 yards moose died within 20 yards.
All were complete pass throughs.
If you are going to be dumb - you've got to be tuff.
I have shot moose with everything from a 30-30 up to a 340 WBY. I have used the .303 Brit, 30-06, 300 Savage, 308 Winchester and the 338-06. The one common thread is that all the moose died when shot in the lungs.. Hit a moose low in the lungs and it will lay down fairly quickly. Hit one high in the lungs, or only clip one lung, they will go a fair distance until they exsanguinate.
A Cree elder who taught me the most about killing moose always said the big deer would die quicker if you let in as much daylight as possible and as such a good exit wound was desirable. He was also the person that taught me a minimum .30 caliber bullet - regardless of the cartridge that launched it - was preferable to more slender bullets. This however was 40+ years ago before today's "wonder-bullets" were on the market.
I guess I'll ask sort of the same questions here. I've got a 30-06 Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather and a Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen. What bullets would y'all recommend?
My choices
30-06 - 180 or 200 gr Accubond or Partition
35 Whelen - 225 gr bullet - Accubond. Partition, TSX, Woodleigh or pretty much any 250 gr bullet being currently made. I would still choose a premium style bullet over cup and core but any will work.
Results of the 210 grain Barnes TTSX launched from my 338-06. Range was ~ 200 yards. This particular moose went 80 yards or so after the shot before he went down.
I guess I'll ask sort of the same questions here. I've got a 30-06 Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather and a Rem 7600 in 35 Whelen. What bullets would y'all recommend?
My choices
30-06 - 180 or 200 gr Accubond or Partition
35 Whelen - 225 gr bullet - Accubond. Partition, TSX, Woodleigh or pretty much any 250 gr bullet being currently made. I would still choose a premium style bullet over cup and core but any will work.
I have never shot a moose, I would like to some day. I would however, question the disdain for the 303 British. If I hear correctly, the round has put many moose in the freezer.
including the world record.
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
I have never shot a moose, I would like to some day. I would however, question the disdain for the 303 British. If I hear correctly, the round has put many moose in the freezer.
including the world record.
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
Do I necessarily think it takes these instead of say a 30-06? No, but I like these calibers. Need wasn't the complete reason for using them. I like the rifles they came in and the calibers.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game. But hey that's just one mans opinion..
I suspect that a lot of people would disagree with you. Karamojo Bell killed a bunch of elephants with it, and they're pretty large and heavy. But, as you say, we're all entitled to our opinions.
Makes no difference who likes it or used it. Or how large the game was. I will never like it. Feel the same way about the 30-30 Win and the 410.
If you dislike the 410 it only means you are not worth a flip as a wing shot. I resemble taht also... but I do like the little round. But neither issue forces you to like it. I despise the 270... and there is nothing wrong with it either.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
I've only killed two moose, both Montana Shiras, and like others have posted, the draw gets harder every year. I'm now 29 years straight without drawing.
My bulls had 50" and 40" antlers. They both fell within 30 yards after being hit with a 180 grain Partition from my .30 Gibbs. (300 Win velocities)
I also took a friend moose hunting, and his bull dropped where he stood from a single bullet (I don't know the make or weight) from his 7 mm Rem mag. When he shot that bull, it was the 4th largest B&C antlers from Montana.
If I ever get to hunt any variety of moose again, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot him with a 180 grain TTSX from my .300 Weatherby.
With a good bullet I wouldn't hesitate to use the 25 06 on a moose. I've yet to recover a 115 Partition and the furthest one has gone is about 30 feet from a good lung hit. The moose I got last fall was 625 pounds dressed on the hook hanging. That bull never took a step. Took out both lungs and broke the far shoulder upon bullet exiting.
That's impressive!
I truly enjoy hunting with my 25-06, but have never tried it on anything bigger than mule deer. I did carry it on one local elk hunt, with handloaded 115 Nosler Partitions, but never took a shot. Nice to learn that it did so well on moose!
Twelve years now I've been hunting with the 25-06, and I've been surprised with how many people tell me they rely on it for elk, black bear, and now... moose!
My Tikka 25 06 is the one rifle I seem to grab the most. It is a joy to pack and with the 115 Nosler Partition works very well on large game. With a good bullet use with confidence Guy on elk or moose.
I did some Moose hunting with the .44 magnum and 300 grain Speers in a revolver and a Winchester carbine. I only shot Moose on days when I was carrying something other than a 44. I'd still like to take one with a 44.
338 Win Mag - 230 gr. Win Failsafe, 225 gr.Swift A-Frame. The Failsafes usually had minimal expansion...A-Frames looked just like the advertisements, a perfect mushroom. 450 Marlin - 250 gr. Hornady Interlock. Only shot 1 moose with this...1 big chunk of lead with a mangled copper jacket was recovered.
Regardless of the recovered bullet condition, they all did the job...never had a moose take more than a few steps before falling over.
The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.
35 Whelen AI, 225 grn Barnes, has accounted for many a Moose on the ground. 7-08 AI 139 grn Barnes TTSX, last count 5 Moose. Lately been taking the 35 out again,only because there are a lot of Grizzlies out and about where I have been hunting. Also taken a couple with a 300 Winchester.
30.06 with 180 grain power point accounted for two moose. Worked very well, very underrated bullet at those velocities. One elk with that combo as well.
2 moose with 30.05 and 165 gr Interbonds. Recovered one under the hide of a large cow moose this year - excellent performance. Wish I could post pics.
Ive personally taken at least 25 moose over the years and probably more. Guided hunters to many more than that. Bottom line is moose are not hard to kill. Ive seen a bunch killed with the 30/30 and I would bet more have fallen to the 303 British than any other caliber. The reason for that is the Enfield is a popular gun among the First Nation ppl. My current favourite caliber is the 338 Federal. Ive taken a few moose with it now and it just flat works.
....................and even his 280 which I've heard is also an option. If I ever had a moose tag I have a 300 WSM and a decent handload with a 180 gr. Partition that would get the call. .
Sho, got that right.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
Ive personally taken at least 25 moose over the years and probably more. Guided hunters to many more than that. Bottom line is moose are not hard to kill. Ive seen a bunch killed with the 30/30 and I would bet more have fallen to the 303 British than any other caliber. The reason for that is the Enfield is a popular gun among the First Nation ppl. My current favourite caliber is the 338 Federal. Ive taken a few moose with it now and it just flat works.
When I started, both hunting and bush work in the BCFS,. most real oldtimers used .303s and .30-06s and the odd .270 or ,300H&H.
I have owned many rifles in all of these, a very lovely Geo. Gibbs, .303 with wood to die for, express sights and engraving, used it in northern BC, head of Williston Lake, as a "camp gun" and there were LOTS of Grizzlies around.
With GOOD bullets, say 180 Woodleighs, I would as soon use a .303 as a .30-06, .308Win. or any standard round for BC and would love a "Cape Rifle" so chambered with a 2.75" 16 bore tube.
That said, I have not gone to northern BC since about 1973, without at least one CRF .338/WM......usually a matched pair, simple, easy and most effective.
30.06 with 180 grain power point accounted for two moose. Worked very well, very underrated bullet at those velocities. One elk with that combo as well.
2 moose with 30.05 and 165 gr Interbonds. Recovered one under the hide of a large cow moose this year - excellent performance. Wish I could post pics.
I agree 100% on the 180 grain power point in the 30/06. It's a good bullet & has taken many Colorado elk for me. Plus 1 WY shiras moose.
My one and only moose fell to a .450 Marlin and 325 Hornady flex tip.
Huge 'ol shiras bull 8 or so miles from the trailhead. One shot to the shoulder and he dropped like a rock, though I did have to put a .41 Mag bullet into the neck.
Seen a few more die via arrow. No more or less dramatic than killing elk IME.
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
9- 7mm08rem 140gr partitions, 3- 300win mag 180gr partition, 1- 300wsm 180gr partition, 1- 7mm rem mag 175gr core lokt. Seen countless amount of other moose killed by family members/friends or people I have guided with 30-06, 308win and 303 british just to name a couple more different cartridges.
Last edited by quackquackbang; 11/08/17.
"I hump the wild to take it all in, there is no bag limit on happiness". ~ Ted Nugent
I just found my Parker Hale 303 to be lacking in too many area's. When I packed one the only load I could obtain was factory Super X 180gr silver tip. Later on I tried the 180gr Federal load and the results were just as dismal. I found it didn't have the knock down power at close or longer ranges. Compared to other rounds the trajectory drop was unacceptable and hitting animals with a good shot just to have them stand there then run off like nothing ever happened doesn't inspire confidence of any kind. I never lost an animal but follow up shots was the common theme . My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game. But hey that's just one mans opinion..
it was possibly the rifle , not the round, or maybe just lousy shooting, I dunno. I've shot a ton of moose and deer and bears with the 303 in different rifles and never had an issue with it.
II am heading out for elk this week using 180 grain bullets and have no doubt at all that an animal is going to get my tag put on it with my 303 Cat
My biggest Moose was taken with my 7mm Rem mag shooting 175 grain Grand Slams, but most of my Moose have fallen to my 303 Brit. The last few years I've used a 45/70 a lot. 2 of my last three Elk have fallen by it. 325 grain Hornady FTX going out at 2270 fps does the job. One Elk fell at 225 yards and this years bull was 213 yards. My better half took her first Moose with a 243. Double lung shot and it went 25 yards. Bullet placement is the only real important thing, not the cartridge you use.
If God wanted us to be vegetarians, he would have made broccoli more fun to shoot!
If guns kill people, does that mean I can blame misspelled words on my pencil?
I also think that the major issue with the old .303B is the crappy bullets we now have for it. I had a few VERY choice .303s, could shoot pretty well way back then and often carried one at season end as you cannot hurt them short of a cutting torch.
We used to hunt old logging roads in the West Kootenays, which had lots of Mulies and some Whitetails and we would hunt, then warmup in the old truck and then hunt and so on. The cutdown 5 shot clips were really handy then and the old CIL KKSP seemed to work as well as anything at the distances we shot at.
I have never been much as a Moose hunter, but, have seen a number of clean kills with this combo. We liked the irons in the snowstorms and never even cleaned these rifles until season end.......NOT how I treated the scoped, pristine M-S 1961MCA carbine in 6.5x55 I also had at that time, 50 years ago. BTW, that is NOT a misprint.
I use the 174 grain Hornady round nose in my 303's pushed by IMR4350 powder. 174 grain is what the military used and it's best to use a slower burning powder to match the old cordite loads that the gun was developed with. That combination shoots a 3 shot group you can cover with a quarter at 100 yards.
If God wanted us to be vegetarians, he would have made broccoli more fun to shoot!
If guns kill people, does that mean I can blame misspelled words on my pencil?
Howdy SNAP! I have quite a few good bullets that I handload for my 303 rifles ranging from old KKSP's to Barnes TSX's The cartridges I have been using this year however are factory, likely 40 years old or better, 180 grain C.I.L. Sabre Tips . A friend gave me two boxes that his father had so I told him I would use them for my animals this year . So far just two white tails but they are very accurate out of my custom Ruger . :>) I am not crazy about the Barnes bullets ,( they're accurate )but grab every box of 303 bullets I find just because!
I killed my first moose last month with a .300 Winchester using 180-grain Accubonds. Worked great! Next time I go I'll bring my .338 Winchester with 225-grain Accubonds, just because I like trying different guns. 🤗
These have been used in old Winchesters: 33WCF-1886 338-06 35 Whelen 348 348-AI 450 Alaskan
Last bull moose killed in the AK interior with a Winchester M-71 348 Ackley. (Parker Ackley liked this cartridge-it delivered) Using a 270 gr Hawk FP bullet; In many parts of Alaska-Canada, bears including grizzly show up around the area of the innard pile. A fast handling heavy lever action is becoming popular with guides. Rifles and cartridges are like wives and girl friends: personal choices that you will live with. Early pre-64 Model 70s and pre-war Model 71s are controlled round reliable. E. Keith was right: 338 and above. Bears only become dangerous when they are close: hence dangerous game rifle. Like a 450 or 50 Alaskan if you know something large has taken over or buried part of your moose not packed immediately back.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena-not the critic"-T. Roosevelt There are no atheists in fox holes or in the open doors of a para's aircraft.....
I’ve killed 5 with a Whelen using 200 TTSXs and 225 TSXs. They’ve proven exceptional. I’ve killed 2 with a .358 Norma and 225 TSXs. Couldn’t ask for better terminal performance. I’ve taken one moose with a 7 STW and 120 TSXs and have no reservations with that combination. I killed a bull a few years ago with a 7 SAUM using 162 A-Max bullets, and it crushed him. I’ve participated in another few dozen bulls taken with a host of cartridges from .223 to .375 H&H and a bunch stops in between. Getting the bull out of the field is a lot harder than getting him on the ground...
I just found my Parker Hale 303 to be lacking in too many area's. My experiences as a young man really soured me on the cartridge, Perhaps other have used it with different result. I think it is a lousy round for large heavy game.
Agreed.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
All worked pretty well 1&3 were single shots. #2 was three shots, but all three went in in about 5 seconds at about 15 foot range. The moose was dead after the first, it took the second two to find enough bone to get him to the ground. There have been a few threads about "is a fixed 6 good for close shots?" Well at 15 feet on a moose its all fur. It was an exciting few seconds.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
So are the .375H&H, the .450NE, the finest shotguns made anywhere, the majority of the greatest African professional hunters, WDM Bell, the jet engine, railways, the most politically influential government system in history, the majority language of commerce, diplomacy and civilization and the stopping of slavery in civilized regions and nations.
I could go on, but, why bother, the British, hardly have to prove anything and such remarks are simply ludicrous.
I would bet one of my P-64 Mod. 70s, that MORE big and dangerous game, say Grizzlies here in BC, Lions in Africa and Tigers in India, have been killed by the great .303 British than by any other round of it's size and power. I knew several real "mountain men" who used it exclusively here in BC, to kill a LOT of game, many Grizzlies included and even guided Texans!
Snap, you said a mouthful there! Truth too. The 303 has the distinction of having proven itself on every continent. It has seen more battlefields than any rifle in history, and is so well thought of the Taliban still use them today. The best hunters I ever knew were a couple of Cree old timers that worked for my dad back in the 70s. One of them carried a 303, the other a winy 94. Without question those two guys killed more game in their lives than any 10 guys on here combined. They were smart enough to realize that if they put the bullet in the right spot they had meat....every time.
Fwiw, The Brits drink warm beer solely because they only have LUCAS & SMITH'S refrigerators. (You have to have owned a British sports car to truly understand that comment.)
We used to say that the Brits had a hard time building anything UNLESS they could figure out how to get it to leak oil.
yours, tex
"VICTORY OR DEATH"
William Barrett Travis, Lt.Col., comdt. Fortress of The Alamo, Bejar F'by 24, 1836
Yeah, all those crappy British cars, Rolls-Royce, Aston-Martin, Jaguar XK-140, Bentley, Daimler------toss em all, give me a Corvair Monza, an Edsel or a Pinto, maybe even a Gremlin........
Pardon me for pointing out that my 31YO S-Class MB is still a BETTER all-around motorcar than ALL of the so-called British "prestige" cars that are currently made.
Btw, at one time or other, I've owned most of the British "flagship" sports cars. = I even once owned a Daimler Dart 250 drop-head coupe & a Sunbeam Super Tiger, IF you remember those. (My 14YO, but well-maintained, Porsche 356 dropead was a better car than my XKE was when new.)
OTOH, the known incompetence of British car-makers has nothing to do with how good/reliable that the .303 British cartridge is as a military/hunting round and/or its numerous "stepchildren" are NOR > 8 decades later, that the BHP is STILL a great choice as a "fighting" pistol, "when the chips are down". = I used to carry a PAIR of Canadian-contract BHP when I was stationed OCONUS.
yours, tex
Last edited by satx78247; 12/15/17. Reason: addenda
"VICTORY OR DEATH"
William Barrett Travis, Lt.Col., comdt. Fortress of The Alamo, Bejar F'by 24, 1836
It's a personal preference not liking the 303 nothing more .I'm sure there are rounds I like that some don't. Thats fine we all have our likes and dislikes.
Bullshit, but, this has been hashed out here in past years, is not going to benefit anyone to revisit and I will avoid it as I prefer to discuss guns and hunting, especially on the "Canadian Forum."
I enjoy this aspect of The Campfire and choose to ignore falsehoods, braggadocio and the more offensive aspect of some behavior. So, I drive Japanese 4x4s and compact cars and own guns from many nations.
Back to the .303, let the delusional fantasize as they choose.
I love the old 303 Brit. My Grandfather, Grandmother and uncle all worked at the Enfield plant in Ontario during the 2nd WW. Every time I see and Enfield with the word Longbranch stamped into it, I wonder if one of my family helped make that rifle. I also tend to buy then when I seen them too...I have several Longbranch rifles. I've killed my biggest Moose, my biggest Black bear and up until a few years ago, by biggest Mule deer with the trusty 303 Brit. Out to 300 yards, I wouldn't hesitate to take anything with a 303 Brit, great cartridge.
Last edited by Cpt_Canuck; 12/15/17.
If God wanted us to be vegetarians, he would have made broccoli more fun to shoot!
If guns kill people, does that mean I can blame misspelled words on my pencil?
I did some business with you a few years ago, found you a nice guy and we were friendly, so, I chose to avoid an unpleasant confrontation here.
However, your comment about Britain, etc, is not only historically wrong, it is highly offensive and I KNOW the factual history of both wars to a considerable extent. Many members of my family bled and even died fighting the fascists and so perhaps we should just leave this here and continue our mutual good feelings to our mutual benefit?
7STW is a hell of a good guy and a BC logger, I often disagree with him as I do here, but, do not make insulting comments. OK?
My first big game rifle was a 303 British and it worked just fine on everything from antelope to moose. My hunting experiences were every bit as satisfying when that rifle was all I had as they are now that I have too many. GD
Fwiw, a fellow here in The Alamo City had his British-made sporter, formerly in .303 British, bored out to deal with a "shot out" barrel & accept the same bullet as the .358 WCF. = He calls it the .360 Express & says that it does a FINE job on all sorts of large game out to beyond 200M, using a 250 grain GCCB at about 2,000FPS.
Fwiw, that's quite similar to my CB load for my 9.3x62mm. - Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to use my Model 760 Remington in 9.3x62 on ANY game animal in the Western Hemisphere. Therefore I suspect that Roy is 100% correct about the lethality of his wildcat.
yours, tex
Last edited by satx78247; 12/16/17.
"VICTORY OR DEATH"
William Barrett Travis, Lt.Col., comdt. Fortress of The Alamo, Bejar F'by 24, 1836
7STW; Good morning to you sir - may I send a sincere tip of the hat to you and Reloder28 for taking the high road here.
For whatever it's worth to you both, you've earned my respect gentlemen - well done.
On the moose cartridge thread, I've killed exactly one Okanagan bull with a .308 Norma using 200gr Hornady RN bullets because I'd read they were the proverbial "bee's knees".
Turned out that they came apart in inglorious style, neither exited and while the moose died, I shot one more animal with them - a first rack whitetail - and then relegated them to shooting rocks.
When you mentioned your dislike of the .303 British, my late father immediately came to mind, so thanks kindly for stirring up some grand memories of many, many hunts and hunt stories. Dad killed a few moose with first a borrowed No 1 Mk III and then with one that he owned. Even though it worked - his brother, my late much loved Uncle Frank used one for all his hunts and I eventually bought it after he'd passed, Dad just detested the .303.
Funny enough he bought a .250 Savage next and preferred it to the .303, but then traded the 99 for a Winchester Model 100 in .308 which he considered the ultimate moose gun. The farmers didn't call them moose rifles - they were "moose guns".
I shot my first whitetail with that .308 and Dad gifted it to me eventually, but I couldn't make it run reliably and traded it on a bolt action '06 before too, too long.
Anyway sir, again a tip of the hat to you both and Merry Christmas to both your crews on either side of the medicine line. Happy New Year to you all too.
The last 6 years I have gotten 5 bulls. Three with the 168gr TTSX from the 30-06 at 20 to 200 yards. None stayed in the moose.
One with 180gr Sierra Pro-hunter in a 300WM. Behind the shoulder, down in less than a minute, no steps taken. No pass-through.
The other was with a 140gr TTSX in a 7SAUM.
Watched another this year with a 7-08 at a little over 100 yards, 140gr TSX. Bullet went through the spine, barely missed the far side scapula and hung up under the hide.
Have used 308Norma with several different bullets, 300WM with several different bullets in a number of different rifles, several 30-06s with lots of different bullets, 7x57 with several different older bullets, 35WAI with Speer bullets, 375AI with 270gr TSX... probably forgetting some.
Riley has used the 25-06 with 80gr TTSX and usually gets full penetration and dead moose. He has also used the 7x57, but the was used to apply the Hindu dot to a big cow... DRT!
I wonder how those old Kodiak guides I knew managed to die of old age, what with packing those old Enfield 303s around...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
All of those British would be speaking German if it weren't for us.
That's funny. I'd bet the Russians would have other thoughts on that not to mention all the other Allies that were in it from the start.
Oh the losing side before the "tide" was turned, got it.
Lend-Lease ring a bell?
Lend-Lease certainly does ring a bell. It was the only way Roosevelt could contribute to the war effort without actually entering the war as the voting public would not have it. Had not Hitler declared war on the US, they might not have been in Europe at all.
My point was that the war was won by the concerted effort of the Allies. Not one single country deserves that credit.
Excuse my fellow Americans. We are proud, and have much to be proud of. However, where two certain skirmishes are concerned, their understanding is not quite complete.
And no one else can really understand the Russian situation. Our effort was remarkable, as was most.
The Russian industrial effort and loss of life is a story that is almost unbelievable.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
308 - did the job after 30 sec standing and staring (Grand Slam 180 gr) 30/06 - good job, worked fine and would use it again (Grand Slam 180 gr) 375 H&H - outstanding, moose dropped immediately in its tracks (285 gr Grand Slam)
This contribution from my admitted meager sample of three animals.
I skipped over most of the posts when the drivel started. I have only shot 2 with a 7RM with 175 Noslers which worked fine. I have witnessed others shot with 250/3000, 308, 30-06, 444, and 12 gauge. They all worked but this was subsistence hunting. The friends that stayed in Alaska have gravitated towards the 338 as front runner with 375 second and 33 third or back up. Mostly the choice is based on Brown Bears and they are tag or trophy hunting and can't get the five permits a year they used too.
So for those with lot's of experience is the 30 + calibers better for a trophy type hunt as opposed to a meat hunt? I tend to think so and with added insurance for the bear factor too.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
I've already submitted my 358WSM/225 SAF, and 35 Whelen/250 NPT kills...
But re-reading this thread I remember what an old Cree told me when I was visiting with them in Waskagonish Ontario.. "...the 22LR is pretty good, but the tirdy-tirdy great for da Moose..."
"I'd rather have an Army of Asses led by a Lion, than an Army of Lions led by an Ass." (George Washington)
Lots of good info here. I enjoy reading the input of those with lots of experience. All I can add is the experience of a buddy. He shot a Canada moose with his 300 Weatherby and handloaded 180 grain Barnes TSX bullets. It worked fine, and his guide was impressed. That's enough for me!
My choice, if I still had one of them, would be one of my various 35 Whelens and 350 Remington Magnum rifles. Better yet would be the 358 Norma Magnum rifle I took to Colorado for elk in 1991. All of those big guns are gone now. I can't handle the recoil. These days I would take my remaining "big gun" - my Tikka 30-06. It would have to suffice. I would handload Barnes TSX bullets and try to shoot straight.
I use a 338wm with 250 Swift AFrames, this combination works very well.
I have killed or helped skin and pack moose killed with: 243, 6.5x55 swede, 270 win, 7mmrm, 280 rem, 308, 3006, 300 wm, 300weatherby, 338wm, 375h&h. The overwhelming commonality in all clean kills was shot placement; although for me 3006 class ballistics is the entry level for moose.
The first moose I shot with my 338wm dropped like a sack of potatoes (turned out I held high and broke his spine). Several moose later I had a young bull at about 150yards take 3 in the chest.. I was standing and just holding with no rest. The first shot the moose didn't move he stretched his neck and walked a couple of yards and went back to feeding. The second shot he kind of stretched again and walked a few more yards and then went back to feeding. At this point I was doubting myself as I practice a lot, but I took extra care on the third shot. On this one he jumped up (like they do when lung shot) and ran into the bush. I sat down and enjoyed a cup of tea and then went in to find him stone dead not ten yards in. When I skinned him I discovered the first two shots had gone through the back of the lungs without hitting a bone, through and through. The third one broke off a piece of rib which took the top of his heart off and then blew hole the size of my fist out the other side. Shot placement is everything.
I've been blessed to have taken two moose. My Montana moose, I used my 7mm Rem. Mag. I was shooting handloads, 175 grain Nosler Partitions. Two of those in the shoulders did the trick. My second moose, I got in BC. I used my 338-06 shooting 225 grain Nosler Partitions at 2700 fps. MV. I only needed one round on this bull. It was a bang flop!
I have never shot a moose, I would like to some day. I would however, question the disdain for the 303 British. If I hear correctly, the round has put many moose in the freezer.
ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with the .303 British.
NRA Endowment Life Member (and proud of it)
Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. - Plato
I've taken a couple with a 243 and a handfull with my 30 Gibbs but most with a 358 Norma Magnum. To me the 35 cal is the definative moose hunting round! This bull was taken at 300yds with a 280 Swift A-Frame.
this is what I've killed moose with, to date: .308 win 180 NP ( 4 moose) .308 win 165 Rem CL (1) .356 Win 220 Speer FP ( 1) .35 Whelen 250 Speer GS ( 1) .375 H&H 300 Fed RN ( 1) 7x57 175 Norma RN (1) Each worked as well as the other, I'd choose the rifle I liked rather than the cartridge within this list. If really serious about the cartridge with maximum advantage I might pick my .35 Whelen because I have taken more than a dozen elk with it and like it a lot. It penetrates through heavy shoulder bones a bit better than all on the list except the .375 if such a shot ever becomes necessary.
I killed my 44" Idaho shiras with a Win 70 270 shooting 130 partition at 3100. Two shots - he died. Second shot was to keep him from running, but 1st shot was a kill shot. Distance was about 150 yards.
But with that said, at that time that was the only rifle I owned and didn't have the funds available to purchase a new rifle.
.-.358 Winchester 225 gr Nosler partition. 220 yds. One round behind near side shoulder, Heart/lungs, pass through/ broke off side shoulder. down in 15 yards - 30-06 180 gr Trophy bonded Bear claw Federal factory loads. 50 yards, 2 rounds through chest, one exit behind offside shoulder, one quartered through ribs and chest and lodged under skin after breaking off side shoulder. traveled 50 yards and went down. - 800gr Birch arrow with 140gr STOS c.o.c. 2 blade broadhead, 12 yards, Behind near side shoulder, buried to fletch, head sticking out off side. Down in 30 yards
Do not pray for an easier life, Pray to be stronger men
How many different rounds have you used to take moose and rate them. Just curious.
25-06 Rem 115 Partition. Surprisingly good 7mm STW 150 Partition. Excellent 30-06 . Many different bullets. Really Good 300 Win mag. Power Points Failsafe and 150 E tips. Excellent 303 Brit. Sucks dick 338 Win mag.250gr Accubonds and X Bullet. Excellent.
20 something moose taken to date, mostly with 06 and .338. .243 .270 .30-30 30-06 .338WM 12 ga shotgun (slug) .308 Norma Mag.
several car-hit moose were finished with .22 Mag handgun
They all died.... I saw no difference between results taken with the various CF during hunting season,
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