I'm looking for a specific rifle for moose in most likely a tikka platform either lite stainless or laminated stainless and I'm considering all 3 calibers...I've owned a tikka lite in 30-06 in the past and it had no problem on the calf I shot at 135 yards with pinpoint accuracy but I'm always looking for something different...I currently have a benelli r1 in 300wsm that I haven't shot a moose with but groups very well at 100 yards...my question is what is the ideal caliber considering recoil and knockdown power in distances no greater than 250 yards...keep in mind I do prefer the tikka and sako which are light but may decide to keep the benelli 300 wsm...I don't really care to hear about other calibers so plz speak from experience with any of these 3 calibers only...thanks
300wsm vs 30-06 vs .308
- Thread starter Hoss83
- Start date
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
There is no ideal caliber. If you have the WSM already, that's all you need. I've owned all three and my preference would be as follows:
1. 30-06
2. 300 WSM
3. 308
but all will do basically the same within the distances you state. I'd pick a quality 180 gr. bullet to go along with any of those. If you want something different as a dedicated moose gun, have you thought about a 338 WinMag?
1. 30-06
2. 300 WSM
3. 308
but all will do basically the same within the distances you state. I'd pick a quality 180 gr. bullet to go along with any of those. If you want something different as a dedicated moose gun, have you thought about a 338 WinMag?
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
didn't we just have this thread last week ????
or are we having 308 vs 30-06 threads on sundays now ?
or are we having 308 vs 30-06 threads on sundays now ?
I realize there was recently a similar post however after reading it I didn't come up with a conclusion due to other people changing the topic, arguing and not speaking from experience...so I'm hoping to achieve a different result here...we'll see...
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
All three shoot the same 30 caliber bullets within about 300 fps of each other. The one with the least recoil is the 308, which also happens to be the slowest of the three.
What kind of information are you looking for that you think would make one far superior over the other?
Your Benelli is a good choice, especially since it's already chambered in one of the caliber choices you list, it's accurate and at the upper limit of your recoil.
Your answer was there before you asked the question.
What kind of information are you looking for that you think would make one far superior over the other?
Your Benelli is a good choice, especially since it's already chambered in one of the caliber choices you list, it's accurate and at the upper limit of your recoil.
Your answer was there before you asked the question.
Buy the rifle you like and ignore the specific chambering it happens to have. If it is any one of your choices, it will make no difference to the moose, so having a rifle YOU like is the most important decision.
How's that for a conclusion you can live with?
How's that for a conclusion you can live with?
All sounds pretty good but the main reason for me switching back to a tikka or sako is weight to carry around...did a lot of walking with my R1 and felt that it was quite heavy...the reason why I ask this question is that I don't want to do a lot of tracking and I want a caliber that will punch right through each side with enough force for a quick kill
If you're looking specifically for a rifle for moose, I say go with the WSM if you can handle it. Like they say, there's no replacement for displacement. 180gr at 3000fps or 200gr at 2875fps will kill any moose near or far. A .30-06 or a .308 Win will also do but why not edge the bet in your favor.
I do love the ballistics of the 300wsm and would put that as my number 1...however I don't mind the recoil in my semi-auto but don't want to make the switch to a light weight bolt which may recoil much more unless I'm sure I won't develop a flinch...gotta try to find someone with a similar setup to what I want and try shooting it I guess...
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
If its a tikka go 06, if its a sako go 308, based on available action sizes. The 308 will work fine inside 300yds, and definately have the least recoil.
With regard to pack-around weight I know what you are talking about and I'm the same way being 67 yrs. old.
Over the years I carted around a whole bunch of heavy rifles chambered in numerous cartridges, all very good Moose rounds.
But, I have to say one of the nicest and quickest Moose kills I have ever seen was done by my youngest Grandson on a 3yr. old Bull with a 300 WSM. 348 yards on a standing Bull that toppled over and never moved.
I was impressed with the shot and the cartridge, a 180 Nosler Accubond handload...
Over the years I carted around a whole bunch of heavy rifles chambered in numerous cartridges, all very good Moose rounds.
But, I have to say one of the nicest and quickest Moose kills I have ever seen was done by my youngest Grandson on a 3yr. old Bull with a 300 WSM. 348 yards on a standing Bull that toppled over and never moved.
I was impressed with the shot and the cartridge, a 180 Nosler Accubond handload...
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Comfort and fit of the rifle, comfort and fit of the rifle, comfort and fit of the rifle, then put the three choices for chambering in a hat and pull one!
If you hit your target in the vitals you will have a dead moose, if you hit it on the guts, well, guess what, same outcome no matter what the chambering.
If you hit your target in the vitals you will have a dead moose, if you hit it on the guts, well, guess what, same outcome no matter what the chambering.
You can't make the call on the experience of one shot on one moose. Anyone who has shot lots of animals will tell you that Kevan's story is very likely exactly what happened, but someone here will be able to tell you the same story for any of the calibers mentioned in this whole thread so far. All of them are capable of doing that. ALL OF THEM!
The .300 WSM can do that, no doubt. But do not base your choice on an experiment with a sample size of one.
Pick the rifle you want first. Then pick the chambering in whatever you can get in that rifle.
To tell you the truth until then I have never given much regard to the 300 WSM as I have a 300 H&H, 300 Win. Mag., and a 308 Norma Mag., all in considerably heavier packages.... now I'm thinking about a WSM build.
It is like Kelly T. says, a lot of other rifles in '06 or 308 will do the same thing so in the final analysis the choice to make is yours.
Right now, I'm going to go digging in the safe to see what is suitable for a 300 WSM build.... best of luck in your choice Hoss, keep us posted ?
Thanks I will.... The rifle that I want to purchase offers all 3 of the calibers mentioned...I had one it 30-06 and it dropped a calf within 10 feet with 2 shots in the heart...I was wondering if it would do the same with adult moose and still keeping the recoil in mind although I would have no problem using a limbsaver if needed
