Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska ALASKA MOOSE RIFLE

All depends on what rifle you can handle, and the guides already know that most hunters don't have much trouble with rifle calibers such as the .30-06. But if you are already used to a bigger gun, then use that one. For me the .338WM is perfect for my hunting in Alaska, just because that's the rifle caliber started hunting with back in the early '90s when I retired from the military. Back then I used ammo with 250-grainers, but nowadays have settled with the 225-grain TTSX as an all around bullet.

That said, a .300 or 7mm Magnum through .375 H&H with a properly fitted stock (set to your LOP), plus a Decelerator recoil pad, go a long way relating to taming recoil.

Forget the brake and select a cartridge you can enjoy shooting. A 30-06 is plenty enough rifle and will get the job done without a brake.

I have shot quite a few moose. Within reason it seems that bullet placement is more important than caliber size, as is bullet construction. Any bullet that can penetrate both lungs while expanding enough to make a good hole will kill them quickly. 6.5x55 and up seem to work in a very similar way when loaded with good bullets. What constitutes a good bullet seems to differ with velocity. Over 3000fps a good monolithic bullet like the Barnes TSX, From 2500-3000 fps and the Nosler Partition is hard to beat, Under 2500 fps and you can add a long for caliber standard bullet like the Hornady interlock, or stick with the Nosler as they expand well at lower velocities as well.

A Nordic Study on thousands of surveyed hunters found little advantage to high energy cartridges. This meshes with my own experience with moose. My 308 seems to kill them in a very similar manner as does my 358 Norma as long as I use good bullets in both.

CARTRIDGE: MOOSE TAKEN: # CARTRIDGES TO DOWN: METERS TO DOWN

6.5 x 55....1,717.........1.5....................41M

270 Win.........7.........1.4....................64M

7mm Rem M......75.........1.4....................47M

308 Win.......943.........1.7....................38M

3006........1,938.........1.5....................4 3M

300 Win M......25.........1.9....................24M

338 Win M.....111.........1.5....................31M

358 Nor M.....192.........1.2....................36M

9.3 x 62......306.........1.4....................36M

9.3 x 64........5.........1.6....................50M

9.3 x 74R.......7.........1.2....................32M

375 H&H M.....265.........1.4....................30M

416 Taylor.....17.........1.3....................27M

458 Win M......18.........1.3....................18M

460 Wby M.......3.........1.3....................70M

I've killed a pile of moose over the years and all but 2 were taken with my 270. If you put the bullet in the right spot moose will die just as quick as any other animal. The 300WM is more than enough rifle to get the job done.

Once your sure of your recoil tolerance the 300WM would not be totally out of place in Kansas as it has always been a fine round for longer shots and was once used quite a bit for 1000 yd. matches. A 130 TSX is not onerous in the recoil department and would do a moose no good. The 300WM can be loaded down to hot 30-06 levels and is very versatile with hand loads. I would also work up loads for your Creedmoor as a back up rifle depending on the flight weight limitations especially for bush planes.

I find my recoil tolerance varies considerably sometimes no effect after 30 rounds and others I need to stop around ten to avoid a possible flinch. Don't do what I have done a couple of times and try to wring out a new load right before the hunt shooting strings of 50 or more shots. This with no padding of winter clothes can sure induce a flinch.

Sounds like you’ve already decided you need a magnum “just because” and there’s no doubt most any variety will work. The only suggestion I would make would be to get something you can also justify using and want to use in your own AO. Unless you have the skill set and opportunity to reach out 500+ yards after said moose, there is really no reason to get a magnum especially if you feel you’ll need a brake to shoot it well. The only rifles I’ve ever and will ever own with a brake are strictly high round count range rifles. If you hunt without ear pro, or with others in close proximity to you, brakes really are a stupid idea. Your hearing isn’t going to heal. Also, if you can’t comfortably handle the recoil, you’re not going to practice with it and therefore would be better off with your 6.5 creed anyway. I’m all about getting new rifles and am cheering you on, but I guess what I’m saying is, unless you practice A LOT at ranges beyond 500, a 30-06 will do really well for you. I’d suggest a 7mmRM for your situation if you really want a magnum. I could go on, but that’s just my .02.

If I"m using 300 mag, 130 ain't going to be on my choice of bullet lists even mono, but YMMV.

I have never hunted Moose in Alaska but my friend has alot and his uncle and cousin have lived there for many years. now I am getting a heck of a cheap moose hunt ,fishin,trip ,they like Rem.7mag`s so that's what I will bring and use. sure I may like 338 Win.mag. but what the heck why rock the boat ? if many deer,beef,pigs are killed with a 22 mag I am sure the Rem.7mag will kill moose just fine.

Damn. All this time I thought it was the bullets that killed the animals. I had no idea that a specific headstamp on the cartridges did the killing, or that an aftermarket stock enhanced the killing power of the writing on the case head.

Live and learn, I suppose. Good thing I only hunt moose in the lower 48. I have yet to bring near enough gun. No magnums, no fancy configurations or aftermarket stocks or fluted anything.

Brakes don’t make friends.

Your entire post communicates to me that you shouldn't go over the 30-06 in power. A mid weight 30-06 would be a nice addition to your Creedmoor and would be a rifle you can use for all sorts of other game the rest of your life.

Forget the magnums...

Considering your two choices I would choose the Tikka over the Remington. Actually I would choose just about anything over the Remington. My reasoning is that I have seen more Remington's fail in the field than all other makes combined. Usually its the extractor that fails, but I have seen some serious trigger and feeding issues too.

+1

Sage advice there, Brad !

I gaurantee you that no guide wants their client showing up out of practice even with a 30-06. I dont think anybody has suggested not practicing with the rifle thats going to be used.

Well, I'll be 83 next month and if I could only own one rifle for everything, it might well be a .300 mag, the 300 Winchester in particular. I've owned six over a long period of my hunting career. It would be hard to find a better choice as a one-rifle hunter for big game in North America.

Having said that, I've owned and used a couple of .30-06's, one 7x57, one .270, three 7mm mags, six 300 Win Mags, a .308 Norma Mag, a .300 Wby Mag, two .338 WM, a .340 Wby, two .35 Whelens, two .350 Rem Mags, a current TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62 (my favorite "medium"), three .375 H&H's, nine .45-70's, three .458 Win Mags.

Yes, and I've owned and used a bunch of smaller stuff.

Out of all that, I've kept and use two big-game rifles: The 9.3 x 62 and a .458 Win Mag (can be used like a mild .45-70 if want to).

Recoil is NOT a problem from a decent weight and shape .300 Win Mag if you learn to shoot it. And a .30-06 is NOT a .300 mag!!

Enjoy your .300 Winchester Magnum and go shoot stuff with it, including an Alaskan moose!

Sure, if you lived where the moose are, you could probably walk up to them and kill them with a knife, an axe, spear or .22 Hornet...

A friend in New Brunswick killed his with a .30-30, but he lived in the woods with them.


Bob

www.bigbores.ca

REDVANES

You have apparently asked for advise and experienced moose hunters have been honestly responding with experienced and truthful advice. I too have shot some moose and hunted with others who have. You can usually tell the new guys when they haul out the new magnum they have just purchased for the hunt. Experience has proven a magnum level boomer is not necessary. I began moose hunting with a 300WSM with a brake installed. Now my mooser is a 270 Winchester, absolutely no brake and absolutely adequate. A brake is the quickest path to hearing loss or deafness I know of.

You will do as you will do. That's you, but may I suggest a 30-06 be as large as you need to go. Load it with a "good bullet" and go forth slaying moose.

Two of my favorites right now that I personally would take if going on your trip.

6.5 Creedmoor with a 140gr Partition or a
30-06 with a 150gr TTSX

I’ve got some good advise and also some that I just ignored.

Some of these responses are comical.

Alright, this is what I’ve gathered:

1. Just use my 6.5 Creedmoor (because I stated I had shot a 7.5lb Encore 300WM that kicked like a mule)
2. Don’t buy a new rifle (where’s the fun In that?)
3. Don’t buy a magnum rifle (because guides will think I’m a city slicker that has never shot a gun before)
4. Use a warn and weathered 30-06/270 (because I will then gain street cred from the guides)
5. Muzzle Brakes are the devil
6. Never put an aftermarket stock or upgrade a hunting rifle because it won’t kill any better.
7. 2 years is not enough time to buy a new rifle, be able to shoot it well and knock the shine off.
8. Since I live in Kansas, having 300 WM is useless

All kidding aside, this is not a guided hunt... it’s a DIY drop hunt. I couldn’t give 2 [bleep] what anybody thinks of what rifle I pull out of my case when We land at our campsite. I know my capabilities as a hunter and shooter. I’m pinching pennies, working side jobs and doing everything in my power to make this hunt happen for my father and I. It will be 3-1/2 years of saving and planning the trip for a lifelong dream to come true.

All the more reason to skip buying a new rifle in my opinion. There are a number of things that can improve a moose hunt. A good binocular, top quality rain gear, comfortable/durable boots, a comfortable sleeping pad/bag, hunting partner/s with a strong back all jump to mind. A particular rifle may contribute to your enjoyment, but within broad parameters it isn't the most essential piece of equipment to upgrade. Ultimately you ought to do what you want, but don't confuse what you want with what you need to reliably kill moose...

Agree wholeheartedly with the above. Well said 406.