Hunting moose with shotgun ?

My dad only used his shotgun on moose. He shot a couple (cow and calf) both were shot at about 35 yards with old Imperial 12 gauge slugs. The slugs killed very well. Range depends on what the sighting system on the shotgun may be. My dad 's gun was a model 12 with just a front bead. With a scope or rifle type sights shots could be taken to about 75 yards with lot's of practice. Sabot slugs and rifled bores will lengthen that distance somewhat.

Darryl
 
I wouldn't do it unless it was a extreme last resort, perhaps if my main gun got damaged somehow. And I think 50 yards would be max in my opinion, so you may blow the chance of a lifetime on a good opportunity.
 
12 gauge slugs work well in close, especially the 3" ones with a bit more velocity. If your talking rifled slugs out of a smooth bore i would keep it inside 75-100 yards depending on how confident you are. Ideally i want a moose inside of 50 yards for a slugs. Try some at the range first, you might be surprised either way for accuracy and how your point of aim needs to be. I've seen some shotguns shoot true, others throw slugs high or low, only one way to find out.
 
Here in Saskatchewan there certain zones where you can’t use a centerfire rifle and only
Archery/Crossbow/Muzzleloder/Shotgun. My buddy shot 1 or 2 with a shotgun. Here you aren’t limited to what kind of shotshell ammo you use but they recommend slugs. You can also hunt big game with an unplugged shotgun.
 
A smooth bore will be less accurate than a rifled shotgun. But energy will be more than enough under 100-150 yards ( depending on wich slug you choose). Accuracy will be your biggest concern, specially from a smooth bore with no sights.

As far as I know, there are no shotgun only seasons for moose in Quebec ( unlike for deer in zone 7). Any cheap rifle in adequate caliber would be a better option for moose.
 
Although there are better options, you could not count the number of moose harvested locally with slugs, or the 30-30 with Dominion soft point ammo. The local poachers prefer the .22 mag. Keep your range modest, and place your shot well.
 
I wouldn't think twice about hunting moose with a slug gun so long as you pick the right load like a Rem Copper Solid or the Accutip. Moose are not bullet proof and I've seen them give up the ghost with much smaller rounds. My max range with a slug gun would be limited to 150yds. but the bush we hunt now 150 is a long poke as most shots tend to be at the 80-100 range.
 
I wouldn't think twice about hunting moose with a slug gun so long as you pick the right load like a Rem Copper Solid or the Accutip. Moose are not bullet proof and I've seen them give up the ghost with much smaller rounds. My max range with a slug gun would be limited to 150yds. but the bush we hunt now 150 is a long poke as most shots tend to be at the 80-100 range.

You better do a little research on slugs. Obviously, you've never used them. :confused:

Grizz
 
Not allowed in B C. If it was leagle I would.

Are you sure is isnt legal? I think it could be argued that a rifled 12 guage is in fact a centerfire rifle given that the terms rifle and shotgun are not defined in BC law. I have no skin in this game, but i think the whole rifled shotgun barrel thing a bit dubious. A great many of these guns are not intended to ever be used for "shot" which is defined in BC law.

Lets take muzzleloaders, if a guy had two 12 bores, one rifled and one smoothbore, would one be legal and the other not?
 
Back
Top Bottom