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Unexpected moose hunt, need advice. |
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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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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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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 8864 |
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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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God save the Empire!
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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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. |
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-Matt
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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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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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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tikka t3 lite, 338 win mag
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Thundey
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/14/2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 130 |
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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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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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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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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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Thanks, I've got two of them and looking for a third.
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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If you can shoot that .338 then by all means take it.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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id take my .375H&H
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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I'm SURE!
Oh. And it's NOT ugly. Edited by 300S&W - January/05/2012 at 14:37 |
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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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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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14962 |
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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 Partition 338 WM 3467 ---------------------------------- 225 gr Accubond 300WM 3176 ----- 180gr XP3 300WSM 3198 ---- 180 gr XP3 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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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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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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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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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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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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coyote95
Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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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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"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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He give any details why?
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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Missed that. You can just call me the newbie.
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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.458 Lott at 100 yards... 500 gr bullet, MV 2300fps ...
I typically shoot a 510gr at 2400fps MV... for deer... for moose I may go a little heavier... |
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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