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Unexpected moose hunt, need advice.

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    Posted: January/05/2012 at 10:50
I'll keep a very long story short. I have a  British Columbia moose hunt that is materializing very unexpectedly and the first thing that crossed my mind was what caliber rifle?
 
I don't know very many details at all at this point other than being told to "be prepared to wade the swamps of BC". I have no clue as to what the shooting ranges will be or anything else at this point, but what would be the caliber of choice from the hive, .338 Win Mag or could I get by with less rifle?
 
I'll post more info as it becomes available, BUT it will be several months before all the details are worked-out.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 10:58
Moose hurt pretty easy. .308, 30-06 more than enough.  My Finnish friend uses 6.5x55 Swede with success.  Apparently this is a popular choice in his homeland for moose.  If you're humping through swamp lands lighter weight may be a consideration.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 11:28
I have tagged along on some moose hunts, and just about any elk caliber (270 and up) would do fine.

Personally, I think a 338 or 325 WSM would be a great match.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 13:03
i think as far as the above mentioned calibers go, i would tend to err on the side of overkill. not because i think they wont work on moose, but because i would be worried about bears i may come across. i whole heartedly agree with the above statements. moose do hurt easy and any good elk round with a well built elk type bullet will do the job on bullwinkle. its the bears i fear. and yes i would make sure and invest in good wet terrain gear.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 13:23
tikka t3 lite, 338 win magWink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Thundey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:11
carry a good ol 06'.  Make sure you can either take or get ammunition for your weapon.  The last thing you want is to not be able to hunt for the lack of ammunition.  Don't worry too much about the bears.  I hunt 10 minutes outside BC in the states and we have grizzly and blackies, but don't worry about getting eaten.  Just use caution when packing the moose out.  If you have a meat cache always approach it from upwind, and let anything that might be trying to scavenge a meal know you're there. 

For optics you'll probably want a variable power scope in either 2-7 or 3-9.  Be advised things can be very wet around here, so some scopes work better than others.  My favorite for the area is a bushnell elite 4200 in 3-9x40.  The rain guard is a very nice feature. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stud Duck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:12
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

i think as far as the above mentioned calibers go, i would tend to err on the side of overkill. not because i think they wont work on moose, but because i would be worried about bears i may come across. i whole heartedly agree with the above statements. moose do hurt easy and any good elk round with a well built elk type bullet will do the job on bullwinkle. its the bears i fear. and yes i would make sure and invest in good wet terrain gear.
 
I was just given the same advice about an hour ago....."don't worry about killing a moose, worry about killing a bear."
 
I have alot of hunting experience, but not with anything of this size, however I do realize that a 30-06 with proper bullets will take any big game animal in North America within reasonable shooting distances. The reason I considered a larger caliber like the .338 was efficiency; I thought it might provide greater flexibility when it came to shot placement and shooting angles AND it MAY be more efficient putting a larger animal down.....just a thought.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stud Duck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:14
Originally posted by Thundey Thundey wrote:

For optics you'll probably want a variable power scope in either 2-7 or 3-9.  Be advised things can be very wet around here, so some scopes work better than others.  My favorite for the area is a bushnell elite 4200 in 3-9x40.  The rain guard is a very nice feature. 
 
Thanks, I've got two of them and looking for a third.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:19
 
 If you can shoot that .338 then by all means take it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:28
id take my .375H&HWink
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 14:35
 
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Edited by 300S&W - January/05/2012 at 14:37
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 21:15
Anything for elk will work on moose.  I tend to lean towards the 300s and up.  Will do the job on moose and the bears if you see one and have to use it.  I wouldn't worry too much about bears, just be prepared.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 21:47
The winchester ammo loads with the most energy in each caliber listed
375 H&H  3572 ft lbs of energy at 100 yds   ----- 300 gr Nosler PartitionThunbs Up
338 WM    3467    ---------------------------------- 225 gr Accubond  Thunbs Up   
300WM     3176     ----- 180gr XP3  Thunbs Up  
300WSM   3198     ---- 180 gr XP3   Thunbs Up
30-06       2658     -----  180 gr  XP3 
308          2288      -----180 gr silvertip
7mm Mag 2806      ----- 150 gr silvertip 
 
When I look at this granted all will kill an elk but the 338 WM and the 375 H&H do have a significant advantage in energy.   Take bear spray along with you also.  I think I would be pretty comfortable with my 300 WSM  Tikka T3 light stainless synthetic, but I would probably be  hand loading a 200 gr Accubond in it.  A lot of it comes down to what you can handle well and be accurate with.  Better a 30-06 that you are dead on target than a howitzer that is to heavy and has too much recoil for you to be comfortable practicing with it.  As for scopes I really like the illuminated Trijicon Accupoint scopes especially in low light quick target acquisition situatiions.  


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - February/07/2012 at 17:40

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/06/2012 at 15:43
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

The winchester ammo loads with the most energy in each caliber listed
 
300Wby    4223 180 gr. accubond Excellent
375 H&H  3572 ft lbs of energy at 100 yds   ----- 300 gr Nosler PartitionThunbs Up
 
338 WM    3467    ---------------------------------- 225 gr Accubond  Thunbs Up   
300WM     3176     ----- 180gr XP3  Thunbs Up  
300WSM   3198     ---- 180 gr XP3   Thunbs Up
30-06       2658     -----  180 gr  XP3 
308          2288      -----180 gr silvertip
7mm Mag 2806      ----- 150 gr silvertip 
  
When I look at this granted all will kill an elk but the 338 WM and the 375 H&H do have a significant advantage in energy.   Take bear spray along with you also.  I think I would be pretty comfortable with my 300 WSM  Tikka T3 light stainless synthetic, but I would probably be  hand loading a 200 gr Accubond in it.  A lot of it comes down to what you can handle well and be accurate with.  Better a 30-06 that you are dead on target than a howitzer that is to heavy and has too much recoil for you to be comfortable practicing with it.  As for scopes I really like the illuminated Trijicon Accupoint scopes especially in low light quick target acquisition situatiions.  
Fixed it for you......... Added .300 Wby.........Just because I own one, and that's what I'd take. Bucky

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/06/2012 at 21:48
Seems like those are pretty weak loads compared to what other companies load and list.  Nosler and Hornady give much better.  

The 300 Mags and up are all going to be near 4000 energy and up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/07/2012 at 01:13
 
  Those are energy values at 100yds.  So for instance the 2806 ft lb value at 100yds for the 150gr 7mm Mag would give it a muzzle velocity of around 3100fps.  The 338 WM would be in the 2850fps muzzle velocity range.  So not bad for factory ammo.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coyote95 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/07/2012 at 08:13
My brother in law is going on is second Alaskan moose hunt. The first hunt he took a nice bull with is 06 and has always said he wished he had more gun for the hunt he had. The next hunt he will be using one of the 300 mags...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/07/2012 at 09:16
 
   He give any details why? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/07/2012 at 09:51
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

 
  Those are energy values at 100yds.  So for instance the 2806 ft lb value at 100yds for the 150gr 7mm Mag would give it a muzzle velocity of around 3100fps.  The 338 WM would be in the 2850fps muzzle velocity range.  So not bad for factory ammo.

Missed that.  You can just call me the newbie. Big Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/07/2012 at 10:02
.458 Lott at 100 yards... 500 gr bullet, MV 2300fps ...  
4,568 ft·lbf (6,193 J)

I typically shoot a 510gr at 2400fps MV...  for deer... for moose I may go a little heavier...


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