I've taken multiple moose with a .243 and a grizz with a .243. The moose were never a problem as I always popped lungs, my old man would of smacked the shit out of me if I blasted one in the shoulder. Now the grizz, that will be the only time I shoot a grizz with 90 grains out of a .243. Spring hunt on snowgos, 4 out of the 5 hits were vitals and he put on quite a show before he died. I'm not recommending a magnum because I think you wont be able to kill a moose with a 6mm, I'm recommending one for when you walk up to your gut pile to get the last load and that grizz explodes out of the alders. Do you want a 6mm in your hands then? I grew up with the guy who shot the number 3 grizz (at the time) with a .308 and got it done, but the bear never knew he was there. I now hunt with a .300WM, not because I think that's the only thing that will take down a moose, but for the bears I bump on accident.
I don’t think a bolt action rifle would do you much good in the bear defense situation you describe. At that point you are in a close quarter combat situation. I actually just sold my 308 listed in the OP. So I need to replace it with another 308.
I wouldn't take any of that on a moose hunt.
Well, I just sold my 308 today, which is what I was leaning on taking, so I am back to the drawing board.
In my defense I thought it would be more about the set ups and less about my bullet selection. Truth is I don’t care about anybody else’s opinions on the eldms as a big game hunting bullet. I have a lot experience with them. I was thinking it would be more of a I would take the PRC since there may be long range shots or take the 308 because the short barrel and 1-8x scope will be better for brush busting and the likelihood of you taking a shot past 200 yards is slim etc…or maybe point out some things I didn’t think of. But, this is the internet and you get what you pay for. I have obviously been giving this some thought.
Whoa whoa whoa - I think we are making some assumptions here…Who said I haven’t had close encounters with grizzlies? Also why I am pretty confident a bolt action rifle is useless if a grizz pops out of nowhere and charges. I have been hunting grizzly country for 30 years.
Were you using the 225gr SSTs?
You are very welcome!!
Why is kinetic energy so important to you? People get so caught up in energy they fail to understand that velocity at impact us way more important. As long as you understand the minimum velocity required for your bullet to expand reliably, isn’t that the most important thing?
You must not understand that velocity is part of the calculation for kinetic energy (KE). Yes, most hunting bullets have a recommended minimum impact velocity, for expansion initiation. However, the KE calculation squares the velocity...so, you're not going to get one without the other... the calculation also multiplies bullet weight. In simple terms velocity relates to bullet expansion and KE relates to penetration.
Great points - I understand the limitations of my bullet and cartridge selections. I have always been willing to pass on game if I don’t get the shot I feel comfortable with. I am a behind the shoulder guy with the bergers and eldms. I’ll wait for that shot or not take it at all. I practice year round out to 1250 yards and am a decent marksman. It is my understanding that more often than not moose are shot at 300 yards or less. This isn’t a once in a lifetime hunt for me, so I can pass if I need to. Like I mentioned, its a DIY boat hunting trip with some fishing and adventure and a couple moose tags. If we have a good time we will likely turn this into a biannual or annual trip.
Now that this has turned into a bullet debate, I’ll just point out that there is substantial evidence that bullets like TMKs, Bergers, ELDMs can effectively kill big animals like elk and moose. You may not like it, you may not choose to use them, but thousands of hunters do successfully every year. Lots of guys on this site and sites like LRH have picture evidence of wound channels and exits holes. I have killed elk with eldms from 50-800 yards, one shot kills. They are an awesome bullet. I think everybody should give try them before they claim it isn’t enough bullet. Just google bergers and moose in Alaska. Tons of success stories.
