Moose bullet for tikka .243

[Treeman_MG]

With big game seasons over, or nearly so for most of us, time for some reloading discussions! I am 90% certain that I will be changing my 6.5cm Tikka over to a 20", 1:8 twist .243, and taking that to Alaska in September for moose.

So, what bullet should I load? I have on hand, 95gr nosler ballistic tips (load for my Dad's 1:9 twist 243), and berger 115 vldh. I will likely be picking up some 95gr tmk, 112 barnes mb, and probably some 103 eldx. From what I have, leaning towards 115 bergers (based on @mxgsfmdpx campaign with them this year), or barnes 112mb (@B_Reynolds_AK ). 95 tmks look nasty as well (@Formidilosus), and the new, heavy tmks might be available in time to work up a load as well (that would probably be what I would go with if they are available and shoot well, but don't want to plan on them yet). Thoughts?

Edit to add: Powder/load suggestions welcome as well. I have Imr 4831 on hand (lots!), h4350, and will probably grab some staball 6.5 as well. Thanks!

 

[kkp005]

I’d go 95gr NBT or TMK.. whatever shoots best..
Don’t overlook the 105gr hornady BTHP.. it’s a mean bullet and penetrates very well

 

[Treeman_MG]

I’d go 95gr NBT or TMK.. whatever shoots best..
Don’t overlook the 105gr hornady BTHP.. it’s a mean bullet and penetrates very well

Thanks, the 105 hpbt is on my list as well.

 

[Geewhiz]

I think a 243 is overkill for a moose. Why not try something 223 caliber or even .17?

 

[Treeman_MG]

I think a 243 is overkill for a moose. Why not try something 223 caliber or even .17?

I do have an 8 twist 22-250 I could take. . . .

 

[alexnelon]

I do have an 8 twist 22-250 I could take. . . .

77 grain TMK at 3250 could be interesting...

 

[nuffgun]

Steve from exo would probably recommend the 108 eldm

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I do have an 8 twist 22-250 I could take. . . .

The natives and locals I’ve spent time with absolutely laugh at what these guys bring to AK to kill a moose. They die quite easily and normally don’t travel anywhere near as far as elk and deer after being shot. With hard bullets that tend to pencil through, it can take a longer amount of time for them to leak out than other animals due to the blood volume.

The natives and locals all recommended a properly setup, short barreled 5.56 AR platform as an ideal moose killer as well as for potential brown bear run in.

If you are set on a bolt action 6mm (also a great choice in my opinion and will extend your range if needed) the 95 TMK would be my personal choice in a 243.

 

[Treeman_MG]

77 grain TMK at 3250 could be interesting...

I have them doing 3150 right now. Zero load dev, loaded 10 over same charge I had loaded 80gr eldx at, shot right around an inch for 10 shots.

 

[Treeman_MG]

The natives and locals I’ve spent time with absolutely laugh at what these guys bring to AK to kill a moose. They die quite easily and normally don’t travel anywhere near as far as elk and deer after being shot. With hard bullets that tend to pencil through, it can take a longer amount of time for them to leak out than other animals due to the blood volume.

The natives and locals all recommended a properly setup, short barreled 5.56 AR platform as an ideal moose killer as well as for potential brown bear run in.

If you are set on a bolt action 6mm (also a great choice in my opinion and will extend your range if needed) the 95 TMK would be my personal choice in a 243.

If I'm not mistaken, you killed a bull with your 22 creedmoor?

I've had the same experience with what the natives up there use, vs what most people bring. I had a 300 win mag as my "Alaska" gun, one native guy laughed when I told him the chambering. He said he used a 204 Ruger for blacktails and black bear.

 

[mtnbound]

With big game seasons over, or nearly so for most of us, time for some reloading discussions! I am 90% certain that I will be changing my 6.5cm Tikka over to a 20", 1:8 twist .243, and taking that to Alaska in September for moose.

So, what bullet should I load? I have on hand, 95gr nosler ballistic tips (load for my Dad's 1:9 twist 243), and berger 115 vldh. I will likely be picking up some 95gr tmk, 112 barnes mb, and probably some 103 eldx. From what I have, leaning towards 115 bergers (based on @mxgsfmdpx campaign with them this year), or barnes 112mb (@B_Reynolds_AK ). 95 tmks look nasty as well (@Formidilosus), and the new, heavy tmks might be available in time to work up a load as well (that would probably be what I would go with if they are available and shoot well, but don't want to plan on them yet). Thoughts?

Edit to add: Powder/load suggestions welcome as well. I have Imr 4831 on hand (lots!), h4350, and will probably grab some staball 6.5 as well. Thanks!

I would try the 115VLDH and the 112MB and see if either one grouped better. The heavier TMKs are interesting and will test them once they become available myself.

 

[slatebuilder]

With big game seasons over, or nearly so for most of us, time for some reloading discussions! I am 90% certain that I will be changing my 6.5cm Tikka over to a 20", 1:8 twist .243, and taking that to Alaska in September for moose.

So, what bullet should I load? I have on hand, 95gr nosler ballistic tips (load for my Dad's 1:9 twist 243), and berger 115 vldh. I will likely be picking up some 95gr tmk, 112 barnes mb, and probably some 103 eldx. From what I have, leaning towards 115 bergers (based on @mxgsfmdpx campaign with them this year), or barnes 112mb (@B_Reynolds_AK ). 95 tmks look nasty as well (@Formidilosus), and the new, heavy tmks might be available in time to work up a load as well (that would probably be what I would go with if they are available and shoot well, but don't want to plan on them yet). Thoughts?

Edit to add: Powder/load suggestions welcome as well. I have Imr 4831 on hand (lots!), h4350, and will probably grab some staball 6.5 as well. Thanks!

If you have 95 NBT’s on hand for a 243 already, try them in the rifle you want to use for the moose hunt, if they shoot well, then there you go.

As to your powder question, H4350 would be the first choice

 

[Alaska92]

Hmmmm……it’s always interesting to hear/read advice from one that has little to no experience with the given topic in reality. I assume everyone here has a fairly sizable number of dead moose under their belt by the advice given. I believe one person mentioned here, has killed a datum of 1 Alaskan moose. It appears that makes that person an expert statistically. To try to emulate what native Alaskans do out in the bush, could likely be an exercise in vexation. It was mentioned that moose don’t travel very far after being shot…..hmmmm…..just out into the middle of the river/lake.

 

[Treeman_MG]

Hmmmm……it’s always interesting to hear/read advice from one that has little to no experience with the given topic in reality. I assume everyone here has a fairly sizable number of dead moose under their belt by the advice given. I believe one person mentioned here, has killed a datum of 1 Alaskan moose. It appears that makes that person an expert statistically. To try to emulate what native Alaskans do out in the bush, could likely be an exercise in vexation. It was mentioned that moose don’t travel very far after being shot…..hmmmm…..just out into the middle of the river/lake.

By your handle, I'd guess you are resident of the state of Alaska? If you've killed some moose, I would love to hear your experiences.

 

[justin davis]

115 Berger

 

[Alaska92]

By your handle, I'd guess you are resident of the state of Alaska? If you've killed some moose, I would love to hear your experiences.

Yes, I am a resident of Alaska and have been for 31 years. Yes, I have experience with moose being killed. My experiences are just that…..they’re mine. Everyone has different experiences. My observations, are that a lot of people advocate for certain things, yet have little to no true knowledge or experience of such things. Just an entertaining observation.

 

[Treeman_MG]

Yes, I am a resident of Alaska and have been for 31 years. Yes, I have experience killing some moose. My experiences are just that…..they’re mine. Everyone has different experiences.

Ok. . . . .not gonna share? Why even bother commenting then?

 

[Alaska92]

Ok. . . . .not gonna share? Why even bother commenting then?

I looked at the thread because I saw the title and was intrigued. I bothered to comment to attempt to quell some of the comments on here that are certainly not their bailiwick.

 

[BLJ]

The natives and locals all recommended a properly setup, short barreled 5.56 AR platform as an ideal moose killer as well as for potential brown bear run in.

What bullets do they use/recommend?

 

[Treeman_MG]

I looked at the thread because I saw the title and was intrigued. I bothered to comment to attempt to quell some of the comments on here that are certainly not their bailiwick.

Ok. . . .still love to hear your input. Will any of the 6mm bullets I am asking about bounce off a moose? What cartridge/caliber/bullets do you use, and what are your experiences on moose with them? Any necropsy/kill pics with said cartridges/bullets?