280 Rem for moose?

roadwarrior

roadwarrior

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
Location
Roaming
Well, I hope this has not been done too many times before :p I fell in love with the Ruger M 77 stainless/synthetic today. I have been looking for a deer/moose cartridge that would be different than the 30 06, 270 win. and the larger magnums. I already own a jerckomatic in 308 win that I set up as a bush gun, so this one would be for longer shots (300yrds max). Would the 280 Rem be effective on moose and if so, to which distance? Thanks a bunch guys. :)
 
Effective range on moose is more dependent on shot placement and accuracy than it is on cartridge or calibre. I've seen 'em die after being shot by a 22LR, though I don't recommend that as a moose masher. 243 Win has accounted for a few -- most notably my wife's. a 280 should be good to go with bullets around 160 grains as long as you can place the shot into the vitals. Load up and get at it.
 
If you can place the bullet where you want it, any calibre from .24 to .50 or higher will kill a moose. As for distance, shoot how far you're comfortable with :) If you can't place the bullet at a given distance, a larger calibre won't help.
 
Last edited:
sure it'll work

I personally would load something along the lines of a 150 gr Barnes Triple Shock X or a 160 gr Accubond or Partition.
​
 
What ever you choose..make sure you practice lots and know your yardages/bullet drop. Not much at 300 yards but can make the difference between a good kill and a wounded critter. Don't be afraid to try several different bullet weights/makes as you might find accuracy with one better than the other. I myself shoot a Hornady 140 gr BTSP in 270 and it works really well at long ranges, (450). I would try the 139gr BTSP in hornady. In fact that is what I have loaded for the 2-280's I bought this winter. Both shoot under .75 at 100 yards.
 
A 280 would be a good moose gun, especially with a good bullet. It's not really that far off a 7mm Rem. Mag in the real world.
 
I have used either 150gn Rem corelocks(bulk bullets) or 150 Horn flat base for a few years on moose with very satisfactory results :)
139 Horns shoot just as well & allways meant to try them too, but I liked the idea of a little more bullet weight.
 
Yeah my partner shot two Elk last year with a .280 using 160 gr Accubonds. he was very impressed, if you can kill Elk with a .280 a Moose should be no problem. I would use one with confidence.
 
Thanks guys, so 160 gr should do the trick... I was wondering if anyone experienced the "I had to shoot that moose 4 times in the vitals" story with this caliber or is one well placed shot the end of the line?
 
bullet placement should answer that. Everyones had to shoot more than once. Sometimes to make sure...although they are dead on the first round..just too stupid to fall over.
 
162 Hornadys dropped this bad boy in his tracks....
moose2.jpg

Cat
 
Moose are easy to kill, but they are tough to get to fall over and stay "falled over". Cartridge is not the key here either. The key is hitting them right. I'll probably get flamed, but I shoot 'em through the shoulders with a 300 WM and 168 gr TSX bullets. Busted shoulders puts them out of commission real quick like, and if they "need" another one for the sake of humanity, go for it. I hate chasing a wounded moose, and I also hate to have to deal with one even a hundred yards into a swamp. I prefer to deal with them in a cutover, kinda like Cat's in the pic above.

And they don't always give you the classic broadside shot either, so decide where the most vitals are and aim for their. You may need more than one round. Someone else said that often the first shot is lethal, just that moose are too dumb to lay down -- I'd say not to DUMB -- just too BIG. A mature bull or cow can easily go 1,200 pounds. Most elk don't get that big, I think.

Anyway, like I said initially, take a good 160 ish bullet - a tad smaller if it is a TSX, and hit the back woods.

Happy hunting!
 
The 280 is a great choice for moose while not too much gun for deer.
If you choose to use factory ammo 160gr rem cor-locks are had to beat.
 
Any of the following will make your 280 Rem moose medicine out well past 400yds:

140gr TSX
150gr Partition
154gr Interbond
160gr Accubond
160gr Partition

The 175 bullets are not necessary with the advent of premiums and will hinder trajectory beyond the benefits of the extra bullet weight IMHO when shots get longish (although we are talking moose and not gophers here).

Taken a couple of bulls with my 280AI, the last one with 140gr AB's at a little over 350yds.... did a great job.

Having said that.. I use 140gr TSX's in that rifle now...hard to beat that bullet!

280_ACKLEY
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom