What would your ideal Moose gun/caliber be?

Mich Hunter · Post by **Mich Hunter** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:22 pm

This is just hypothetical of course as there is no true answer. My dad and I got into a debate the other night on the phone on which caliber rifle would be the ideal moose gun. We are planning on doing a moose hunt together the year after I retire from the AF (6 more years) as my schedule will be a little more flexible. Now, I have seen moose taken with everything from 45-70’s to 270’s. My preference would be a Ruger #1 or Rem 700 in 375 H&H. I love this caliber and have shot everything from deer to elk. It’s a flat shooter and throws a nice chunk of lead. My ideal choice (a big “I want”) would be a pre-64 model 70 in 375 H&H. His ideal caliber would be a 300win which I am sure is more than capable for moose. What would yours be?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:28 pm

It's what I have my 1895 GS for...

It can get wet and it can punch big 'ol holes in big critters.

jkbrea · Post by **jkbrea** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:30 pm

I think I would use my 45-70 just because, but would have no problem with my 30-06. I've never hunted a moose but seen plenty on elk hunts. I'm always amazed at their size. A friend of mine claims they go down easier than elk and he hunts with a .270 or 30-06. Like we always say, bullet placement!

86er · Post by **86er** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:47 pm

While I like your 375 H&H idea, most of them are a little heavy for tight brush moose situations and a little too expensive for bashing about in a boat and maybe salt water. I'd take mine if the mood struck me, but for most folks the rifle itself is more limiting than the caliber.Also, follow up shots are more difficult as recoil increases, so a 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, 375 whatever kicks more to me than my first choice cartridge for this task. My first choice is a 35 Whelen. A bolt gun or even a pump gun would be good. Moose are unimpressed with bullets and if they get to the water the chore can be burdensome. A good 35 Whelen pump can deliver quick follow up shots with minimal loss of target aquisition. The 250 grain Nosler Partition or Rhino, or a 275 Northfork or Swift would be very effective on moose. Depending on where you hunt, shots are usually inside 150 yards but can be out to 300 yards in the North Country and such. A 35 Whelen properly sighted can be used out to 300 yards with no hold over and could be pushed a little further if you know the trajectory, although I wont recommend shooting further at a moose. Of course last chance opportunities on an expensive/once in a lifetime hunt can be taken if you and your equipment are up to it (ask Marlin32!). I've shot one with a 7mm Rem Mag and while it killed it, you'd never even know it was hit. My most recent clients have used 308 Win, 303 Brit (174 gr Hornday) and 45-70 with modern ammo.

walks with gun · Post by **walks with gun** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:56 pm

I could fill a page here but, if I want to keep it short it would be a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H or a Win. 71 carbine in .348.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:59 pm

Don't the Swedes kill a lot of swamp donkeys with their 6.5mm rifles shooting long, heavy bullets?

Wouldn't a 220gr round nose be kind of similar out of the .30-06?

Just asking yous guys because I have no idea.

Oly

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:05 pm

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:15 pm

It depends on the area your hunting Ive ridden to within 10 yds of moose they arent to skittish of horses but get nervous when you step down, If I was hunting them my work gun on my saddle is a 30-30 my hunting gun is a 348 for dark timber and a 300 savage with glass for distance. course a 22LR in the ear will work when you get close. Last year my neighbor used a saddle gun 250 savage open sight 99 to drop a 38" meat bull at 100 yds. danny
cow with 2 calves bedded

I backed my pony up to 25 yds or so from momma

a cow and 2 long yearling twin bulls about 100 yds out

couple of meat bulls on the ranch at ponds

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:53 pm

Never owned a 35 Whelen but I bet that would do nicely. I would think 30-06 and above would work. I would use my WWG .457 mag lever or a Model 71 in .348 or any 45-70. I though, have never shot a moose so my opinions really don't matter

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:54 pm

Marlin 375. Or Rem. 700 in 7mmRM

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:57 pm

A 24.0" barreled Ruger M77

Caliber : .338 Win. Magnum

Bullet : 250gr CT Partition Gold Jacketed Soft Point

Ballistics at muzzle : 2750fps - 4200 ft./lbs.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:59 pm

Hands down,easy answer---------- M-71 ,348 Win,Barnes 250gr FP !!!!!!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:00 pm

Guys... moose are large... like a horse, but you don't have shoot them all the way into tomorrow!

Next you'll be tellin' me a .30-30 ain't good enough for deer!

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:03 pm

348,356. which ever one wants to go hunting that day. 375WCF a very close second.

wolfdog · Post by **wolfdog** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:26 pm

A long time ago I got to hunt Moose one time. Dropped a small bull with 30.06 180 graind at about 80 yards. DRT just took him a few seconds to relize it.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:29 pm

Well, never even had a chance to hunt moose. But, should the day arrive, depending on expected range, either the 45-70 GS or 30-06 lefty 700. Both require the same thing any firearm requires, hitting the target where you should. It doesn't matter if it's a bunny or a bear, a bad hit is a bad hit. Although, I doubt a bunny would try to eat you.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:35 pm

One thing for sure, if You take a .375 H&H You will never be wanting more Gun.Go for it Rocky.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:04 pm

Winchester 1886 in .33 WCF worked just fine on this one.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:08 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:It's what I have my 1895 GS for...

It can get wet and it can punch big 'ol holes in big critters.

YesSir.....just what I was thinking. With Garrett 420gr +P

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:53 pm

jnyork wrote:Winchester 1886 in .33 WCF worked just fine on this one.

WAYYYYY

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:25 pm

I'd think that any good .35 caliber loaded decent would do the job handy-like.

.35 Rem, .356Win, .358Win, .35 Whelen...

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:39 pm

Ive taken only 2 moose, at the time (the 70s) I had 2 rifles both 99s
in 300 & 308, I took the 308 & it worked real well
I have carried the 300 savage moose hunting but wasnt able to find
a moose willing to let me shoot it

ollogger

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:55 pm

Grandpa had this '03/ .30-06, made up for a moose hunt that unfortunately never happened.
He had a severe heart attack just as it was finished and never recovered.

My Dad gave it to me on my thirtieth birthday and it was the only rifle I hunted with for
10-12 years. It's accounted for a pile of white tail and other game / varmints.
When I get the chance to finally bag MY moose it will be the only choice.
This rifle is one of those guns that if I can see it I can hit it rifles!

jb

Mainehunter · Post by **Mainehunter** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:33 pm

2ndovc wrote:Grandpa had this '03/ .30-06, made up for a moose hunt that unfortunately never happened.
He had a severe heart attack just as it was finished and never recovered.

My Dad gave it to me on my thirtieth birthday and it was the only rifle I hunted with for
10-12 years. It's accounted for a pile of white tail and other game / varmints.
When I get the chance to finally bag MY moose it will be the only choice.
This rifle is one of those guns that if I can see it I can hit it rifles!

jb

Hey 2ndovc, I grew up in Parma some 20 years or so ago unless things changed, didn't know moose were roaming around outside of Cleveland

Just kidding.

Even though I have a couple of 35 caliber levers on hand but the last few moose hunts I have been on I have brought my custom Mauser 98 30-06 loaded with 210 grain cast.

Mainehunter

gak · Post by **gak** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:35 pm

I have not read all responses in detail but did see one post for a .35 Whelen, and I'd +1 that.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:44 pm

Mainehunter wrote:
2ndovc wrote:Grandpa had this '03/ .30-06, made up for a moose hunt that unfortunately never happened.
He had a severe heart attack just as it was finished and never recovered.

My Dad gave it to me on my thirtieth birthday and it was the only rifle I hunted with for
10-12 years. It's accounted for a pile of white tail and other game / varmints.
When I get the chance to finally bag MY moose it will be the only choice.
This rifle is one of those guns that if I can see it I can hit it rifles!

jb
Hey 2ndovc, I grew up in Parma some 20 years or so ago unless things changed, didn't know moose were roaming around outside of Cleveland Just kidding.

Even though I have a couple of 35 caliber levers on hand but the last few moose hunts I have been on I have brought my custom Mauser 98 30-06 loaded with 210 grain cast.

Mainehunter

I guess I forgot the "in Canada" part.

jb

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:27 pm

#1 would definately be my 1936 .348. If I am ever drawn for moose, that is my go-to gun.

#2 would be my 1891 '86 in .45-90.

coachise · Post by **coachise** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:55 pm

375 Win BB, shooting a 220 grain bullet at a MV of 2200 fps and 2364 ft. lbs of energy.

bgmkithaca · Post by **bgmkithaca** » Tue May 22, 2012 10:14 pm

For what it is worth when I was in Alaska the local natives used the 30-30 and never looked back, it was what they had
on hand and it worked. I used a 30-06 to very good effect on the one I took.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:46 pm

Marlin 336 in 35 Remington... :)

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Wed May 23, 2012 8:10 am

All of them...

Would not make an exception based solely on caliber. Actually used a .30-30 on Moose in Quebec, it was quite affective...only needed one shot.

But, either of my .444's that seem to be my primary grab to go hunting guns would probably work. Got everything from a 6.5 X 55 on up, 300 WM, .307, .356, .375 Win, .30-30, 8mm (various configurations), .30-06, .338 WM, .348, .405, ton of .30 cals (.303, 7.62 X 54, etc), 11.15 X 60, .45-70's (even the Trapdoor loads), .44 Mag, plus a few more...all of them would be ideal to go Moose hunting.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:00 am

BlaineG wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:It's what I have my 1895 GS for...

It can get wet and it can punch big 'ol holes in big critters.
YesSir.....just what I was thinking. With Garrett 420gr +P

Me too. I have a great deal of respect for those Hammerheads from Garrett. That's what I used on my buffalo in one of Joe's Texas hunts.

I vote for the Browning 1886 SRC...since that's the only rifle I have that's really for big game (of course, I suspect my pre-64 '94 in .30-30 and the Trapper in .44mag would also work given the right distance and shot placement).

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:23 am

I would take either my 405 (if having to fly to the hunt and be mindful of baggage weight) or the 44-77 sharps if airline baggage limitations are not a problem
I've seen a number of our Shira's moose dropped at the shot with 30-30's,243's and lowly old 06's with 165 and 180 gr bullets.
But if looking for an excuse for a bolt gun, one of the 416 rugers would be a fun little plinker, just for the heck of it.

piller · Post by **piller** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:28 am

Since I have never hunted a Moose, I think I would tell the guide what I have and let him tell me which one to take. I have a few choices, and it sounds as if accuracy is still what does the biggest part of the job.
I do have an AR15, but that is my Mouse gun.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:37 am

Only moose I've ever hunted were in Alaska and never more than 150 yds away - usually a lot less - and usually standing in hip-deep water surrounded by brush.

My first choice in those conditions is an Argo 6 wheeler with a 2T winch and whatever gun is handy.

(Of course, the Guide Gun is always handy...

)

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:44 am

My 9.3x62mm Husqvarna M98, with my 285gn softpoint handloads at about 2400fps.

Steve

Marlin32 · Post by **Marlin32** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:42 pm

Wow, lever gun forum and a lot of non-lever like calibers suggested.
I killed a moose last fall with the Marlin 338 Express, 250grain bullet. I would suggest it. Even better probably if you load your own.

356, 358 and 348's all pretty darn good close in. (348DC would be in same line too) Heck at those ranges, the 444 and 45/70 etc all would work fine. 307 Win, 308 Marlin are a couple more lever picks. If you are worried about a longer shot ( I was) than maybe start looking at 300 win mags, 325 win, etc.(can get them in lever if you want a BLR)

I think a 35 whelen in a lever would be great!!! I wouldn't mind seeing that 338 federal in a lever either!

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:35 pm

Missile:

Launching vehicle:

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Wed May 23, 2012 7:59 pm

O.S.O.K. wrote:Missile:

Launching vehicle:

That would work.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed May 23, 2012 9:10 pm

Addendum to my previous: I have not hunted moose, but I have shot a buffalo and a single shot with my 45-70 BP load behind a lead govt bullet dropped it in it's tracks and gave complete penetration out of my Hartford Shiloh Sharps. I would not hesitate to use the same BP load or my BP loads for either of my .54s (flintlock or percussion sharps).

Meeteetse · Post by **Meeteetse** » Wed May 23, 2012 9:39 pm

My one and only opportunity to hunt a moose happened more than 35 years ago in western Wyoming. The gun was a pre 64 Winchester Mdl. 70 in 30/06 (180 gr. load I think) and it worked just fine. I have been with others on two other hunts in Wyo as camp tender and wrangler. In one case the preferred gun was a 30/06 and the other was a 300 Weatherby with a 220 gr. load. In my experience, lower 48 moose are not hard to kill, just hard to find. I've seen more moose while fishing than I have on the three hunts I've been on.

walks with gun · Post by **walks with gun** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:00 am

I'll probably get half the crowd here ticked at me but, as much as I like the 45/70 and the guns that fire them I consider it to be less than ideal for a overall hunting rifle. If I only had a couple days to hunt and there were possibilities of open country, I would want a short flat shooting in case my only shot was 200yds or so. The arch on that 45/70 might mean a bullet getting hung up on a cloud or low flying plane. I personally want to put the sight on my target and know where that bullets going to strike. Just my opinion.

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:05 am

Ladder sights have been around since rifled barrels, knowing how to use them makes "200 yds" somewhat of a chip shot.
204 yds according to the range finder.

Les Staley · Post by **Les Staley** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:30 am

I had a chance to moose hunt in "97". Hunted the first few days of the season with a 50 flinter, and mixed up a Shilo Hartford model as the long range normalizer.. couldn't get close to the two or three bulls I saw, so decided to open the deer season with my S&W 30-06, for a little change of pace.. walked right up on a cow and two bulls, one of 'em 43" wide..one 180 through the lungs did the job.. nothing too spectacular, just walked away and laid down.. (shot a coyote off the gut pile a week later with the Shilo)

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Thu May 24, 2012 3:55 pm

Ok, I'll bite......

Levergun : Marlin, 45-70 or 35 Rem

Bolt : Any, in 9.3x62 with a 286gr Partition@2350fps

Thanks, Tom

samb · Post by **samb** » Fri May 25, 2012 12:36 am

The only moose I have ever taken was a two year old bull, with a m94 30-30.

Canuck Bob · Post by **Canuck Bob** » Fri May 25, 2012 12:21 pm

Shot a few with a 444 Marlin, peep sighted. Works like a charm to 200 paces with a 265 gr. Hornady FN.

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Fri May 25, 2012 2:59 pm

I've pondered this exact question a few times in the past .

Now I doubt if I'll ever make it to Alaska for a truely big boy . But I may just one day be able to do it in Maine or Newfoundland . And my thoughts at the moment are the 444 loaded with the Ranch Dog 432-350GC bullet or possibley a bolt action in 338-06 loaded with the Nosler 210 Partition .

If I still had my old Interams Mark X Whitworth that I rebarreled to 416 REM MAG with the McMillan light stock I'd take that loaded with the Speer 350 grain bullet . My Ruger #1H 416 REM MAG is way to heavy to be carrying thru the bogs I've seen pics of in Newfoundland !

RustyJr · Post by **RustyJr** » Fri May 25, 2012 11:34 pm

Think I'd probably go with my Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye in 270 Winchester. Probably go with a hand loaded 130 grain Nosler Partition. Some might consider a 130 grain bullet a little light but the 270 was designed to shoot a 130 grainer and Jack O' Connor killed alot of game with 130 grain bullets and the bullets he was using weren't near as good as what we have today.

RustyJr

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sat May 26, 2012 7:31 am

RustyJr wrote:Think I'd probably go with my Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye in 270 Winchester. Probably go with a hand loaded 130 grain Nosler Partition. Some might consider a 130 grain bullet a little light but the 270 was designed to shoot a 130 grainer and Jack O' Connor killed alot of game with 130 grain bullets and the bullets he was using weren't near as good as what we have today.

RustyJr

I have several books he wrote and there are MANY pics of BIG BULL ELK , some moose and a few grizzlies he killed with his trusty 270 . I seem to remmember reading an article or two where he said when he took the month long pack trips in the YK or BC he'd take so many rounds of 270 130 grain and so many rounds of 270 150 grain .