25-06 or 30-30 for moose

[imarco]

Looking for thoughts on which caliber you would chose. Planning on a moose hunt this fall. I have two rifles to chose from, a bolt action 25-06 or a lever in 30-30. I am not planning on shooting past 100yrds. I am wondering which caliber you would chose.

Thanks for your input.

 

[obsessed1b]

170 gr FP out of your 30-30. Get within 100yds. Hit him in his vitals....start cooking backstraps....yummm

 

[marty06]

I would go with the 25-06 with 115 grain partitions or 100 grain TTSX.

 

[kc34]

If your not shooting past 100 yards then I would choose the rifle out of those two that is the easiest to handle and you can shoulder the best as they both will do the job for your moose and the caliber won't make much difference at that range.

 

[Suther]

There is what you plan on doing, and there is what you're willing to do when the chance presents itself. If you can't get closer then 200yds, would you be happy with either of those choices?

 

[Trimmer 905]

170 gr FP out of your 30-30. Get within 100yds. Hit him in his vitals....start cooking backstraps....yummm

^^^^^^^ THIS!! ^^^^^^^ More Moose have dropped in front of a .30-30 Win or Marlin than any other cartridge in history.

 

[imarco]

A man's got to know his limitations....

 

[Longwalker]

I like the .25-06 a lot but for your purposes I'd suggest the .30-30.

 

[NormSC]

The heavier bullet out of the 30-30 is probably better for close range shooting. Either of those calibers, while not optimal, will work with well aimed, through the ribs lung shots that miss the shoulder. Hunting often leads to less than optimal shooting, and that 25-06 bullet could blow apart if it hits major muscle or bone. It will also leave next to no blood trail. Be prepared to track the animal with those calibers. 308 win or 30-06 would be much more effective.

 

[meatsticks]

One guy at my old camp shot numerous moose with a 30-30. If those where my choices I’d probably pack the 30-30 with 170’s. It’ll work.

 

[jpappy]

I say use the 25-06 if you can get the 110 accubond or 100 ttsx to group good. The 30-30 is good but why limit yourself. I have a couple of bull elk I tipped over with the 140 accubonds out of my 270 win. I only recovered one bullet in the farside along the hide. I have found elk are tougher in general compared to a moose. Both die quickly with a well placed shot, you might as well be able to reach out past 100 yards with confidence and some practice shooting under your belt.

 

[mimile]

No matter how fast it can go a 250 bullets will not have enough penetration (sectional density) for moose. The 30-30 might be acceptable up to 100-125 yards. now imagine your are in the woods and you see that dream bull at 150 yards without having the good cartridge for it.... If I were you I would go with a 308 or a 30-06, 180 grains. That's enough power to 300 yards.

 

[Eagleye]

Anyone who suggests that a 30-30 or a 25/06 at 100 yards will not effectively kill a moose, has not shot
very many moose. If, indeed, the shot is no further than 100 yards, I would pack the 30-30. The 170 gr
bullets have gained a reputation for reliable penetration/expansion, and a Winchester or Marlin carbine is
a handy package.

That being said, I would have no qualms about shooting that moose with the 25/06 and a 115 or 120 Partition.
Best of all in that application would be the 120 A-Frame, which will not blow up, even if heavy bone is hit.
Regardless, any of the aforementioned bullets will penetrate well.

I have had the privilege of harvesting a lot of moose in 50+ years of hunting prime moose country. I have shot
moose with everything from the 6mm Remington up to the 338 Winchester Magnum. [not recommending the 6mm
as a moose slayer, but it will do the job]

I never have used the 25/06 in the field, but I shot a couple of moose with the 257 Roberts and the 120 Partition.
Neither went 10 feet after the shot. One was 75 yards, the other 140. Post #4 sums up my sentiments. Dave.

 

[nowarningshot]

I like the .25-06 a lot but for your purposes I'd suggest the .30-30.

This.

Leave the 30-30 open sited, it will help you sticking to your stated 100 yd limit. Of the two, the 25-06 is the longer range cartridge, for dual use, varmints and.deer. Still though with good Marksmanship and careful shot selection it would do perhaps to 200.

 

[woodchopper]

I too love my 25-06 but I will echo many of the pervious post

for your application, under 100m (or yards) the 30-30 will be better.

 

[nitro-express]

Talked to a hunter in Ontario a few years back, he used a 416 Rigby, said it was a bit over the top for moose, but it did the job.

 

[saskcop]

With a sufficiently tough bullet, both will work - but for different reasons.

 

[bcsteve]

Anyone who suggests that a 30-30 or a 25/06 at 100 yards will not effectively kill a moose, has not shot
very many moose.

X2. On think there’s a few internet moose hunters posting here.

 

[mbogo3]

The 115gr or 120gr Partition kills moose dead same as a .270 with a 130gr. Forget the ft/lb BS ............. my son killed a bull elk which is a heck of a lot tougher than a moose at over 400 yards with a 120gr Hornady HP and had an exit hole besides.Bull ran 40 yards and tipped over in the field.As for the 30-30 and the 170gr out to 200 yards it's getting a truck ride.

 

[L42A1]

I would pick 25-06