rifle calibers to hunt moose in the NE

[cody covey]

RPM shoot me a PM if you draw VT. I grew up there and could make some suggestions on the better units in the state.

Cody

 

[rpm4463]

Thanks for all the info. It basically confirms my mindset.

 

[Ronster]

Yep, as others have stated, almost any calibur will kill a moose, personally, I think your bullet type selection can make as big or bigger difference than claibur. Ive alway hunted moose with Barnes bullets out of my 300WSM, but I hunt with a buddy that uses a 30-06 and has the same results as me. Find a good penetrating bullet that shoots well out of your gun and practice with it. Nothing is more important than good shot placement.



Ron

 

[Moe.JKU]

I haven't shoot one with a 308, but know people that have. A lot depends on the composition of the bullet your shooting. Ill be using my 30-06 w/ 180gr tbt they shoot well out of my gun. Worked so far for me in Northern B.C for me.

 

[Snyd]

I'm in the same camp as Ronster and Yellowknife. I've been in on probably 25-30ish moose kills over the last 22 years here in Alaska. Moose aren't that hard to kill. Poke a hole in the lungs, they'll act like nothing hit em. Takes about a minute for lungs to bleed, BP to drop and for the big guy to topple over. Like any other critter the only "bang flop" is a CNS hit. A 243 with a 100gr Nosler will do that. Heart shoot one and they tip over pretty quick, usually they do a back flip. I've seen it a few times. My bull last year was the most recent. A poor shot with any caliber will give the same results.

Lots of Moose killed with 270's up here. 30-30's in the bush communities. I'll be chasing them around with my 45 Colt wheel gun this year with 355ers at 1200fps.

No need for an "uber-magnum" to kill a moose. If you are confident in you trusty ol' 308 go kill a moose! Poke a 30 cal hole through the lungs and let the work begin!

The only exception I can see is hunting moose in the hills or flats where a guy could potentially have a 3-500yd shot and the ability/scenario to take it. A heavier bullet will carry more energy for better penetration and not be as effected by wind as much as a lighter bullet. My longest shot was last year, 365yds. 200gr Accubond from my 325wsm. Heart shot, back flip. I shot one at 315yds once with the same load and broke the spine.

But... "the big moose hunt" could be a good excuse to buy a new gun Like say a big bore levergun like a 45 Colt, 454 or a 45-70.

 

[Yellowknife]

Heart shoot one and they tip over pretty quick, usually they do a back flip.

True that. The most instant death I've ever seen on a moose was a heart shot I took on a young cow moose at 40-50 yds. Aimed for the heart with 30-06, came down from recoil and it had... disappeared. As I puzzled over what the heck happened to it, FOUR moose stuck their heads out of the brush to see what the noise was about. Since none of them appeared very sick I couldn't decide which one needed the follow up. I scratched my head for a bit, then unloaded my gun, and slung it on my back (to avoid the temptation of shooting again) and walked in to find my moose had gone straight down. Not even tipped over... just straight down with an elbow sticking up on each side. Perfect hole in the center of the heart.

Yk