What caliber? AK Moose

[cnelk]

Need some input:

Me and a buddy are going to AK on a fly-in moose hunt this Sept.
He doesnt have a 'moose rifle', so Im going to have him use one of mine.
He has the moose tag

Here are the choices

1 - Winchester 30-06 Model 70 [older gun] - 180gr Hornady handloads

2 - Weatherby .340 Mag Mark V Alaskan - 225gr Hornady handloads [w/ Accu Brake]

The 30-06 is shorter and lighter, the 340 is, well... a cannon
He will not have a chance to shoot either rifle before the hunt.

Which gun makes the trip?

Im leaning towards the '06

 

[hodgeman]

Either of those will kill moose without any issue.

I'd lean toward the '06 if he won't get a chance to shoot it. The .340 is a "better" moose gun, but it's not for the uninitiated.

You say he doesn't have a "moose rifle"...what's he got? He's likely better off with a .308 or 270 he's shot and is comfortable with than a borrowed cannon he's never fired.

 

[UpNorth89]

Since he won't have the chance to shoot before the hunt I would definitely say the 30-06.

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[thinhorn_AK]

I’d take the 340 any day but since he can’t shoot it first, maybe you should shoot for him.

 

[Robinhood21]

My uncle shot his bull this this last year with my 300RUM that he had never laid eyes on before. He made perfect shots at over 300 yards on his bull and he’s not really even a gun shooter.

I’d go 340 but that’s just me.


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[Runningwater]

I would suggest whichever gun he should shoot it before the hunt. 30-06 is an excellent moose round - no real need for the 340.

 

[Squincher]

The .340 would be awesome for at least one shot, maybe not so much after that.

 

[Razz]

What, first time hunt and no gun? Sounds like a perfect excuse to make a purchase. If he is not going to exercise this option, would he be willing to let me use his excuse for a purchase?

To your question; I was with my buddy this fall when he shot his here in Idaho. One shot, 30/06 180 grain bullet at just over 100 yards. It staggered about 20 yards and fell over.

 

[rayporter]

what are the logistics that preclude him getting to shoot the rifles?

if he lives 2 thousand miles away just ship it,

 

[z987k]

The one he shoots well. Caliber is an extreme second to shot placement.

Possibly unpopular opinion, if he can't shoot and become familiar with the rifle before shooting it at an animal, should he be shooting it at an animal?

 

[cnelk]

Some info:

He has varmint rifles and shotguns but no large caliber long guns.
Im not worried about his shooting proficiency

He lives upstate NY - sorry, but I aint shipping a rifle

 

[gbflyer]

Need some input:

Me and a buddy are going to AK on a fly-in moose hunt this Sept.
He doesnt have a 'moose rifle', so Im going to have him use one of mine.
He has the moose tag

Here are the choices

1 - Winchester 30-06 Model 70 [older gun] - 180gr Hornady handloads

2 - Weatherby .340 Mag Mark V Alaskan - 225gr Hornady handloads [w/ Accu Brake]

The 30-06 is shorter and lighter, the 340 is, well... a cannon
He will not have a chance to shoot either rifle before the hunt.

Which gun makes the trip?

Im leaning towards the '06

I believe you’re leaning in the right direction.


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[eaglemountainman]

I wouldn't want to go on, what for me would be the hunt of a lifetime, and start hunting cold with a rifle I've never even shot. Is there a reason why he can't buy or borrow a firearm locally, so he can get familiar/proficient with it before the trip?

To answer your question, in this situation, I would go with the 30-06.

Curious as to what you'll be using....

 

[positivepete!]

My vote is for the 06.

 

[cnelk]

Curious as to what you'll be using....

I'll be carrying a Marlin 44 mag lever action carbine.
300gr Hornady JHP/XTP handloads

 

[WMR]

I've followed your moose posts before and am really excited for you and your buddy. His shotgun experience will not help him, but if he shoots varmint rifles he's likely a better marksman than most. Your 30-06 is the obvious choice. He could dry fire it for 10 minutes and be good to go. Just have him practice with whatever rifles he has. I carried a 30-06 last year but we saw brown bears all over the place, so I may take a larger rifle this year. You didn't ask, but if I carried a 44 carbine, I'd be looking at something like Buffalo Bore ammo. Best wishes and be sure to post your story.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I'll be carrying a Marlin 44 mag lever action carbine.
300gr Hornady JHP/XTP handloads

Interesting.
Good luck to you, both. Hope it's a great trip.

 

[tdot]

Have you asked your buddy what he is comfortable with?

My vote is for the 06, but I'd definitely get your buddy to buy into whatever rifle he is going to be using, prior to the trip starting. Him being nervous that a 30-06 wont be sufficient isn't good. Him being nervous the 340 will kick the snot out of him isn't good either. The one benefit of the 340, if he's never fired it, he wont be as nervous as if he'd been knocked around by it a few times... now the follow-up shot may be a different story.

 

[Dennis]

30-06 and dry firing is a great suggestion. However maybe he could borrow a rifle from someone closer and become proficient with it prior to the trip.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I doubt he will notice recoil if he is actually shooting at a moose. I never do.