Looking for a rifle for moose hunting

I've loaded ammo for guys for many years up here that hunt moose, pretty much everything from 708's to 338/378's and from 10 yards to 500+.
My one hunting buddy uses 9.3X57, the other a 280AI. I use a 280 on ooccasion but by far the most moose I have killed have been with a .303 Brit.
Cat
 
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Nothing wrong with the caliber choice. Cheap and readily available to practice or change up loading.

As for the rifle suggested, 110 savage tactical, nothing wrong savage. I would avoid tactical as I think the weight is a bit "heavy" at over 8lbs before scope and ammo. Additionally the 10 round protuding magazine I think I'd find anoying to hike with.
 
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Sharps45-70 said:
I would stay away from anything "tactical" as it will most likely be heavier than you need for a hunting rifle.
Most of your normal calibers will be fine for moose, just ensure you are not using inappropriate bullets. 6.5x55, 7x57, 280, 308, 30-06, 7mm RM, 8x57, 300 WM, etc. etc. are all sufficient at ethical distances. Keep in mind a muzzle break is not a great idea when out hunting, so pick your cartridge accordingly. For my do-everything hunting rifle, which I wanted to cover all bases, I went 30-06 and don't regret it. Extremely versatile under all circumstances.
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Why not a muzzle brake? The ears?
 
Use well constructed bullet that you rifle shoots well and put the bullet where it counts. Know how to deal with the moose after the shot. A 308 win is more than enough for moose, I would also stay away from any tacticool rifles for hunting purposes
 
I guide moose hunters... I will tell you what I recommend to clients and what I am happy to see being pulled out of rifle cases when they arrive in camp.

Use a solid bolt action rifle in a substantial cartridge, such as .30/06, 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM etc. Use a sturdy bullet, such as the Nosler Partition or Accubond, or a cup and core bullet that is heavy for caliber. Mount a mid-range variable scope, such as 2-7, 3-9, 2.5-8, 3.5-10 etc... Zero your rifle for 200 yards and practice with your rifle at ranges of 100 - 300 yards.

A choice within those general parameters will be a good choice. The biggest thing is to be practiced and confident at various ranges. The exact numbers will vary depending on terrain and hunting techniques and timing.

If you are only buying one rifle, plan for the worst case scenario, not the best case scenario. JM2C.
 
Some great points to consider already offered regarding moose hunting and appropriate rifles and cartridges fir this activity.
Consider where and how you are going to hunt moose.
A light handy rifle in a medium powered cartridge such as the 308 will work in most bush and semi-open areas where you are spot and stalk hunting with shots out to around 300 yards. The ol' Winchester 30-30 and 303 British rifles have worked well for thousands of moose hunters over the years.
A heavier rifle chambered to a more powerful cartridge will be fine for hunting from a blind looking across large open areas or down long powerlines, cutlines or pipeline right of ways. Bolt action beanfield rifles have also worked.
Pick a rifle that feels good in your hands, and at your shoulder. And mount a suitable scope, or peep sight/red dot sight that will suit your needs. (open sights will work fine if your hunting style is limited to closer shot opportunities.
Bullets do not have to be super premium or monometal design for most moose, but if that is what you prefer to use, and they shoot accurately in your rifle, then great. Otherwise cup and core bullet will work fine on moose, as they have for decades. Bonded bullets do work better. But in the end, use what shoots best in your rifle.
The rifle cartridge should be suitable for the game, but more importantly, one which you are, and can become, comfortable and proficient in shooting with regular practice. Bullet placement is more important than the cartridge or rifle.
Remington, Winchester, Browning, Sako, and a host of other rifle manufacturers all make rifles suitable for moose hunting. Pick one that fits you and meets your needs.
Best of luck in your quest!
 
308 is a good caliber choice imho. It’ll let you use the same rifle for deer if you choose, if you went with a 300wm it’d be a bit much for deer.

I’ve loved hunting with my Ruger Scout, perfect gun for most of the hunting I do. I’ve also had success with a Tikka T3x Hunter. I’d highly recommend either. I like the open sights on the Ruger (or sometimes the scout setup) whereas I take the Tikka (with a 3-9 Leupold) if I’m expecting to have a longer shot.
 
hoytcanon said:
I guide moose hunters... I will tell you what I recommend to clients and what I am happy to see being pulled out of rifle cases when they arrive in camp.

Use a solid bolt action rifle in a substantial cartridge, such as .30/06, 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM etc. Use a sturdy bullet, such as the Nosler Partition or Accubond, or a cup and core bullet that is heavy for caliber. Mount a mid-range variable scope, such as 2-7, 3-9, 2.5-8, 3.5-10 etc... Zero your rifle for 200 yards and practice with your rifle at ranges of 100 - 300 yards.

A choice within those general parameters will be a good choice. The biggest thing is to be practiced and confident at various ranges. The exact numbers will vary depending on terrain and hunting techniques and timing.

If you are only buying one rifle, plan for the worst case scenario, not the best case scenario. JM2C.
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I would add, know your limitations, have and use a range finder, if you know you are good up to 150m at the range make sure you don’t try shot past that in the field!! Make sure to learn where to shoot!
 
Thrillan said:
Hello all,

As the title suggests, I am looking for suggestions for a new rifle for moose hunting. I was looking for a bolt action .308.

I'm open to suggestions. I was considering the savage 110 tactical, but am open to researching other options.

Thank you
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If it's 308 and that's the rifle your leaning towards, go for it. They're a solid accurate rifle. I agree with others for hunting optic, 1-4, 1.5-5, 2-7, 2.5-8x.
 
The only thing I would add to the excellent ones you have received to far. Winchester Model 70. I have several in different calibers. Love them. And have taken a moose at 365 yrds in 308 and 270 SWM. Also, if you are up for an adventure, I have found a great fly in near Mont Tremblant. Reasonably priced.
 
I would choose the rifle you want first, make sure it feels good to shoulder and point, if you can try one, even better, then look for that rifle in an acceptable cartridge for you, recoil, ammo price etc. Moose are not that hard to kill but a lot end up wounded. Some rifle choices in a specific calibre seem hard to find these days.
 
Use a solid bolt action rifle in a substantial cartridge, such as .30/06, 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM etc. Use a sturdy bullet, such as the Nosler Partition or Accubond, or a cup and core bullet that is heavy for caliber. Mount a mid-range variable scope, such as 2-7, 3-9, 2.5-8, 3.5-10 etc... Zero your rifle for 200 yards and practice with your rifle at ranges of 100 - 300 yards.
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That will work for just about everything, just about anywhere, not just moose. It's hard to screw up a decent bolt action so bad that it isn't a 300 yard hunting rifle.
 
BigUglyMan said:
I'm not sure that I would choose one of the tactical models as a general purpose hunting rifle. Not sure how you hunt, but as a general rifle you would be hard pressed to go wrong with a Tikka T3x Lite. The 308 isn't a particularly abusive cartridge even in a light rifle so there isn't much need of packing the extra weight around. Frankly I prefer the 30-06 over the 308 just for the way it handles heavier bullets (I like 180gr in the 30 calibers) but the 308 has accounted for plenty of moose over the years and loaded with a 165gr Partition I wouldn't hesitate to use it on moose or elk, just prefer that little bit extra.
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BUM has it figured. Take his advice and go hunting.
 
OP - As per an earlier post - some smart guy said that a 30-06 is never a mistake - so buy one - use 180 grains bullets - take 5 moose and tell us how you improved on that.
 
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