Which rifle should I take on my Alaskan moose hunt in September?

[AkMtnRunner]

I hear you on the magnums being overrated. Especially if one actually hunts to within 200 yards, which there is rarely an excuse not to. The 30-06 has performed well up here for decades on the largest moose and bear and the 308 with modern powders and tougher bullets are just as capable of those yesteryears' 30-06's. The key though, is that the 30-06 earned it's prowess in Alaska by using bullets that penetrate.

A likely situation with a moose will be less than 100 yards. At that impact velocity, be sure that your bullet can hold up against bone with 1,000+ lbs behind it.

I can't speak of using match bullets on big animals and they might work. But I just don't see the reason to risk it when stronger bullets work wonderfully.

 

[Mangata]

Take whichever combo you feel compelled to hunt. The pros and the cons will sort themselves out for you.
Realize that the people who live here are trying to give you advice however…
Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[Steve O]

I’m curious why you asked the question? You argue with every person giving you the correct answer. Those are all bad choices for Alaska moose. Even the 308 is a glorified pistol. If I were forced to use those I’d get a good bullet for the PRC, not any of the ELD.

 

[cnelk]

What gun is your buddy bringing?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

What gun is your buddy bringing?

He is bringing an AR10 in 308.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I’m curious why you asked the question? You argue with every person giving you the correct answer. Those are all bad choices for Alaska moose. Even the 308 is a glorified pistol. If I were forced to use those I’d get a good bullet for the PRC, not any of the ELD.

If I could go back I would have left my bullet selection out of it. I wasn’t asking that question. Very few have actually answered the question I asked. When I got into the magnum game it was because of guys online claiming elk were bullet proof and nothing less than a 300 mag would kill them, even though I grew up killing them with a 270 and watched my grandpa and uncles kills several more with a 30-06 and 243. I am in a position where I can afford to buy whatever rifles I want, I just won’t ever go back to the big magnums - I know they work, they just aren’t my cup of tea.

Also, with regards to bullet selection…I would think any bullet that could kill a big bull elk would work equally well for moose, maybe I am wrong. Everything I have read states they aren’t that tough, they are just big and take a while to fall over and die, regardless of the cartridge used.

 

[cnelk]

Ive been to Alaska hunting moose twice in the past 5 years - successful both times - using great advice from some of the posters on this thread.

Take lots of pics and good luck

 

[MaraviaDave]

If you’re determined to use any of the following cartridge/bullet combinations, I don’t think it matters which one you use. They are all inadequate and will result in similar probabilities for wounding loss or an unnecessarily slow and unethical kill.

6 CM, 108gr ELD-Match
6.5 CM, 140gr ELD-Match
6.5 PRC, 147gr ELD-Match
.308 (slow), 168gr ELD-Match

As others have said, why are you even asking the question, in regards to which rifle to bring on an Alaskan moose hunt?

You’re inclination seems to be to argue with people who have actual moose killing experience. Many of whom have killed a lot of bulls.

There’s a big difference between experience and what you believe.

 

[LightFoot]

I’ll preface this by saying I was all in on the magnums until a few years ago owning 300 rums, 300 wbys, 325 wsm, several different 7’s etc. I came to the conclusion magnums were over rated and bullet selection and shot placement are more important, so this is what I have to work with. Based on personal experience with several bullets, I have settled on Hornady’s ELDM. That and bergers is all I shoot now, but mostly ELDMs for everything from coyotes to elk. This is a 10 day DIY hunt with a buddy.

#1 - Christensen Arms BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC with a Nightforce NX8 4-32x50. 28” barrel with brake. 10.5lbs with Bipod. 147gr ELDM.

#2 - Seekins Havak 6.5 creedmoor with a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42. 24” barrel. 8.5lbs. 140gr ELDM

#3 - Christensen MPP 308 with a Trijicon Credo HX 1-8x28. 12.5” barrel and weighs 7lbs. Getting 2400fps with 168gr ELDM.

I am leaning a certain way but am still trying to decide for sure. Let me know what your thoughts are. At this point I don’t have any desire to put together a different rifle for this hunt, and I feel confident any one of these can do the job. I recognize there are pros and cons to each.

I'm just gonna say it.... none of those are optimal for moose, especially with you bullet selection. Adequate? Yes. Optimal? No.

If you are going to use one of the 3 you mentioned with a ELD-M or Berger... use what you use on elk.

I would use a 127 LRX or 140 Partition in the 6.5, not a match bullet. I think the 308 is probably super cool, but I would be worried about a lack of velocity due to the short barrel. With the 308 I'd use 150 TTSX as fast as I could get it or 165-180 Partition.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[PredatorSlayer]

If you’re determined to use any of the following cartridge/bullet combinations, I don’t think it matters which one you use. They are all inadequate and will result in similar probabilities for wounding loss or a slow unnecessary unethical kill.

6 CM, 108gr ELD-Match
6.5 CM, 140gr ELD-Match
6.5 PRC, 147gr ELD-Match
.308 (slow), 168gr ELD-Match

As others have said, why are you even asking the question, in regards to which rifle to bring on an Alaskan moose hunt?

You’re inclination seems to be to argue with people who have actual moose killing experience. Many of whom have killed a lot of bulls.

There’s a big difference between experience and what you believe.

I guess that is what I don’t know. I have used all of the above cartridge bullet combinations on elk successfully. If you are telling me my elk bullet/cartridge combinations won’t work on moose, then mind blown and I need to go buy a new rifle apparently.

 

[MaraviaDave]

I guess that is what I don’t know. I have used all of the above cartridge bullet combinations on elk successfully. If you are telling me my elk bullet/cartridge combinations won’t work on moose, then mind blown and I need to go buy a new rifle apparently.

Go back and read post #11

 

[Steve O]

Moose, Alaska Yukon moose in particular, are not comparable to elk in any way. When you walk up to a mature bull laying there, you have your work cut out for you. Two things I noted and left a lasting impression on me;

1. I could put a size 13 pack boot in the ear of my bull.

2. The leather portion of the skin is as thick as your thumb is wide.


Not the place for minimizing of fragile bullets.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Go back and read post #11

I read it, you don’t think the 6.5 is worth anything more than a training rifle. Thats your opinion and I disagree with it.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

You guys don’t have to read all if this thread to see there is lots and lots of evidence that match bullets can be effective on big game. If a 77gr TMK works this well on elk and moose, I feel like I will be fine with my ELDMs.

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

www.rokslide.com

 

[LightFoot]

You guys don’t have to read all if this thread to see there is lots and lots of evidence that match bullets can be effective on big game. If a 77gr TMK works this well on elk and moose, I feel like I will be fine with my ELDMs.

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

www.rokslide.com

Oh... so your question was rhetorical?

Any bullet will get the job done under the right circumstances. You may need a broadside shot under 200 yards or you may need to put it in the ear...

Here's the deal. If the only shot you are presented is a hard quartering shot past 250 yards, is your bullet capable of ethically taking that moose? Are you willing to pass on that shot because the bullet is not up to the task? Are you just gonna send it?

I don't care what you use. These guys don't care. You asked. You got answers you didn't want to hear.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Challis]

I have to wonder why you asked the question to begin with since you have already decided.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

in the right circumstances you could also kill a moose with a 22. I have never seen an elk dead or up close but i have seen how big moose are, how big their bones are and how thick the hide and skin is. will those bullets be able to hold shape and blow through ribs? or are you able to shoot through the gaps in the ribs? If youre spending that much time effort and money to come up here and hunt why would bring a bullet up that isnt a optimal moose dropper of a round? Seems like you could be handicapping your self. if you see a monster of a moose at 300 yards and cant get in any closer will that bullet be enough to no wound it, or will you have enough control to say my bullet is not enough to have a clean kill and i am going to let it walk.

this year my buddy shot a moose with a 300 at 160 yards at the edge of a pond, it would have gone down (he blew out the lungs) but i put another one into it to make sure it didnt walk back into the pond. I blew through the lower part of the scapula a rib on the opposite side and the bullet was inbetween the skin and ribs on the far side. first time i havent had a pass through with my gun. those were 300 win mag using 160 and a 180 grain bullet I have a hard time thinking that a round as small as what you want to bring would be able to hold together and blow through a bone if need be. But then again i havent used any of those rounds and really dont know much about bullets other then what i and the people i know use.

 

[NE Herd Bull]

This immediately came to mind

 

[AKDoc]

Moose are big and tough. I use a 375HH with either the Barnes ttsx 250g or a 260g accubond.

I wouldn’t dream of using any of the guns you listed but you’re and adult so you can make your own decisions.

Agree ^^^^ totally.

I also use a 375H&H, and I handload 270grn TSX's for it. Been successfully using that combo for many years and will again in a few months. I like calling them in closely when I hunt.

I hope you have a great adventure up here and a clean kill with whatever you decide is a responsible cartridge choice.

 

[Laelkhunter]

If you are thinking along the lines of a Nosler Partition in any of the mentioned rifles, consider the Swift A-Frame. It is built like the Nosler Partition, but is a bonded bullet so it will hold together a little better.
I agree with some here, something a little more stout (.33 cal on up), in case you are not presented with a perfect broadside shot. Good Luck on your adventure, sounds like a dream hunt of a lifetime.