Moose, 308 Norma Mag in an old Parker Hale.
I still have one of those, with a 6x Leupold on it. Great cartridge rifle combo. - dan
I have identical here - never took that outfit hunting though. I installed a M8-6X (x36 mm) on my Model 70 in 338 Win Mag, on that Parker Hale in 308 Norma Magnum and on the latest Model 70 in 300 H&H - I have never taken that one out, either. I did get two elk with the 338 Win Mag, so I know it works for that! I am dithering about loads - is probable that I will go with 180 grain Grand Slam in the 308 Norma Mag, and 220 grain Hornady Round Nose in the 300 H&H.
I use 180 partitions in my 308 NM and my 300 H&H (a Sako). - dan
I would probably use those if I had some, but I don't. But there are several boxes of both the 180 grain Grand Slam and the 220 grain Round Nose, so may as well use them up with something!!! I am hoping to get circa 3,000 fps with the 180's from the 308 Norma Mag, and 2,600 fps from the 220 grain in the 300 H&H, but my barrels are shorter than was used by Speer and Hornady to get their numbers.
Nearly every American I guided had never seen a Grizzly before. Or a mountain goat or moose for that matter, many of the black bear hunters killed the first one they saw in their life too. There is something bizarre about the sequence of events, awe… incredulity, would you look at that. Then bam.
Was the same for me on everything in Africa. Make no secret I’m not thrilled with trophy hunting having gone off the deep end in it, but won’t tell others they shouldn’t do what’s legal, I’m done however if it’s not well considered population control or filling the freezer… developed some qualms. It became strange spending season after season seeing many of the same animals, getting to know some of their peculiar traits personality wise, then lining an American, Aussie, or European up to end a life that makes any of ours look meaninglessly bland and inanely safe.
Hunting is a connection to our evolution and simpler times. We just have to be careful it doesn’t turn into something else less meaningful and more glutinous, as it did for me. I’m very attracted to invasive or over-population cull hunting as the urge to hunt strongly remains. I’ve given up trophy hunting however as it generally pushes us to chase rarer and rarer things that are struggling in this overpopulated, overexploited world.
As for the thread my last big game animal for the freezer was a solid average black bear, with the Oberndorf .375 Kemano. Worked like a charm fell where he stood, I may go for a blacktail this fall again yet with my boys.
Three this fall with my new Hoyt Highline... hated it at first (should have just stayed with my Spyder 34), but changed up some stuff and I am growing to like it. A huge help has been installing a verifier peep, my aging eyes were having a tough time seeing the pins, but the verifier lens has me seeing sharp bright pins again... helped on a couple WT bucks and a bruin... I have three more archery hunts over the next three weeks, so will see what else the Highline can bite.