Can the 30-06 show enough might to drop moose.

LeePeterson

LeePeterson

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Location
ON Banada
Hello everyone!

I'm a little bored so I thought Id ask about what bullet I should use for my first ever moose hunt this year. I've only ever seen moose hanging in the butchers. I got a Parker hale 30-06 24" barrel I think. I want to know what’s best for moose 165s or 180s. I noticed some 165s hit harder then the 180s better BC? So far I've just been playing around shooting pumpkins and water bottles on the farm, nice to be 22 eh.

I'm going to start reloading in a few months so any bullets I can buy and load will be great.

Thanks.
 
My first choice if I was loading specifically for moose would be a 200 SP or a 220 grain round nose bullet as close to 2500 fps as I could get. You should be able to get a 200 yard zero. If your looking at Ballistic coefficients and are new to reloading check out how much improvement in BC you get when you shoot heavier bullets, add on to this the increase in sectional density and it really is a no brainer to herald the age old wisdom to shoot he heaviest bullet your rifle will stabilize.

If you want to shoot 165 grain bullets spend 300 bucks on a savage 7rem mag or a 6.5 mm.

Good luck with the moose they are some tastey!
 
Last edited:
Any premium bullet will work. I shot both my moose with 165gr BTSP both one shot kills out of a .30-06 75yds and 125yds. Plenty of thump for moose.
 
168 gr TSX is a moose killer extraordinaire.

But everyone knows you need a magnum rifle to kill a big bull...what are you thinking...30-06!!!
 
What about at longer ranges say 350 yards
Click to expand...

Can you hit that milk jug at 300-325-350-375-390 and 400yards? Can you do it in a 5-10 or 15 MPH wind? When you saw those moose at the butcher didyou spend some time figuring out where all the parts where?

If you gotta ask about shooting moose at that range with a rifle you don't have a load for yet maybe you should'nt plan on it. Get ready to kill a moose at under 200 yds and you'll be all set for 99% of the ethical chances you'll ever get on swamp donkeys.
 
david doyle said:
Can you hit that milk jug at 300-325-350-375-390 and 400yards? Can you do it in a 5-10 or 15 MPH wind? When you saw those moose at the butcher didyou spend some time figuring out where all the parts where?

If you gotta ask about shooting moose at that range with a rifle you don't have a load for yet maybe you should'nt plan on it. Get ready to kill a moose at under 200 yds and you'll be all set for 99% of the ethical chances you'll ever get on swamp donkeys.
Click to expand...

I can normally hit the targets I shoot at 350 yards with my 243. I plan to start shooting my 30-06 every weekend like I do my .243. Ive only had the 30-06 a couple months now and havnt tried shooting far yet.
 
Moose Load

30-06 with 180gr would be just about perfect for moose out to 200 yds. If you think your going to be taking longer shots why not look at one of the 7mm or 300 magnums? Any excuse to buy another gun is a good one right?
 
I shot a small bull with a 168 TSX, at 250 yards a couple years ago. He folded to a high lung shot which exited. Really hammered the bull. I also shot a bull elk this past fall with a 165 grain Accubond which penetrated very deep on a frontal shot. The elk weighed over a hundred pounds more at the butchers than the moose did the prior year.


Id feel confident shooting a 165 grain Accubond, TSX, Partition, A-Frame, or Scirroco. Id also use 180 grain bullets if they shot better in my rifle. Hell, if your shots will most likely be inside 200-250 yards, a 200 grain soft point or 220 round nose would shine.

30-06 is a great moose cartridge

Sept_10th_2006_LEH_Bull_010.jpg


mmmmm moose burgers :D
 
I'd hunt moose with a 30-30. The 30-06 has more then enough energy to down a moose.

Anything from 160-220 would do. If you are reloading, then do exactly what todbartell suggested.. a premium 165, 168, 180.

I do not see the need to go to 200 grains. The 30-06 is a very good caliber and you need not feel under gunned for anything in NA except for maybe the bigger bears out west and up north.

most rifles shoot 160s and 180s the best from what I've experienced.
 
Last edited:
LeePeterson said:
What about at longer ranges say 350 yards.
Click to expand...


I don't know that doesn't come up where I hunt moose. That range I would step up to a TSX or a accubond (any premium bullet) in 165 and feel comfortable out to 300. Don't know if I would personally push it beyond that far. Just a personal reason too much can happen in real life conditions with heavy clothes, blowing snow, wind, shooting off hand. I like to get closer to know I am going to put the bullet where I need to.
 
Last edited:
The cow I shot was out at 300yds. Shot her with an old 180 gr silvertip. Flattened her on the spot. I should mention that I have since switched to 168 BarnesTSX in front of IMR4350. Handloading opens up a whole new world of options and bullet selection. If I had never started handloading I would probably be still shooting the silvertips. They have never let me down.
 
I've seen moose shot from 40 yds to 400 yds with .270 Win to .300 Win Mag. I'd use a 180gr Nosler Accubond or 165 Barnes TSX in 30-06 out to 400yds broad side without hesitation.

But if you plan on shooting past 250yds make sure you can hit that milk jug everytime. A wounded moose is a sorry thing, and you'll be the sorry basta'd chasing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom