.308 effective range on moose

M

mdbuckle

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
20   0   0
Location
Self-Isolation
Just wondering what the maximum effective range is for moose hunting with a .308. I would like something that I can shoot all day at the range and still use for moose 300+ yards. Is .308 enough?
 
I would go with something bigger for moose at that range. 200 max for me with the .308 on moose if I had to use only one gun.
But with that perfect practiced shot it is not cut and dry. A premium bullet load would be in order, and knowing that you can make the shot.You see the numbers in a manual will say one thing , but when you add a bunch a stuff in the mix, the numbers may not paint a clear picture.
my 2 cents
Frank
 
Last edited:
I'm sure the .308win will take a moose at 300 yards....proper bullet and placement...
But if you use the 2000 foot pound energy rule the 308 starts to run out of steam at about 250yards with a 165gr. bullet....300 its about 1800fp of energy...

My little Browning BLR has never let me down on elk or moose....but I've never had a 300 yard shot with it.....I use 150gr. speer grand slams

Russ...
 
There are "light magnums" for the .308 available which up the velocity approx 200-300fps. I believe hornady makes them. I personally believe 300m is not a problem with .308 on a moose. I've shot eight moose with ammo from a .300 savage (not particularly peppy), .308. .30-06 and .45-70. They were all one shot stops (though I may have fired an extra insurance round).
 
with good bullets and great shooting, 300+ is doable

something like 300 and in is better yet though

for 300+, I'd look at the 300 Win Mag
​
 
I've found that 300+ yard shots are the exception. While I practice at those ranges, I have very rarely had to shoot that far while hunting. I think you'll find that a little stalking goes a long way!

edit: I hunt in fairly open country in BC.
 
Last edited:
Long range moose

I like .308 and have one I have used to collect moose but I am not in agreement with everyone responding thus far concerning effective range of said .308.
Both the .300 Sav. and .308 Win have a MPBR of 256 yds when using a reasonably heavy bullet like the 180 gr Failsafe or Barnes. As you know this means your bullet will drop approximately 4 1/2 inches from aimpoint. Along with the drop is loss of energy. I can't understand why all you ordinarily reasonable gentlemen feel confident letting fly with a .308 or a .30-06 at 300 yds at a moose weighing somewhere around 600-1000 lbs. How in heck can you be confident that you're going to humanely kill the thing when you're holding about level with the animal's back? Either do some calling to bring them in or some planning to put yourself in better position for a 100 yd shot which WILL drop any moose dead. 300 yds shots are hail-Mary shots at the best of times with moose.

Or get yourself a .338 WM and shoot with confidence.
 
i have to go with the 300yd crowd. i don't think mdbuckle is saying he looking for long shots just asking if its capable. most shots will be much closer. if faced with a doable long range shot the 308 will do it and do it well. moose are not that hard to drop. for myself 300 yrs is my limit under ideal conditions 308 or 300 wsm.
 
A .308 will be fine for moose at any distance a sane person should be shooting at them from. While gunnuts like to debate specific cartridge choices, consider that most opinions are formed from one or two examples (if you are lucky) and contain many variables.
This said, it is my opinion that there is little practical difference between common hunting rounds, providing a properly constructed bullet is used, and shot placement is there.

BTW, most 300 yard shots I have witnessed have paced out at more like 180.
 
300 yards [900 feet] is a long, long way out there and I'd sure want to have a really steady rest at that range.A back of the shoulder lung shot is pretty easy to hit it in the guts at 300 yards,and a bit of wind, a slight flinch-anything could put your shot off.I try and get in closer,if I can
 
chappy said:
i have to go with the 300yd crowd. i don't think mdbuckle is saying he looking for long shots just asking if its capable. most shots will be much closer. if faced with a doable long range shot the 308 will do it and do it well. moose are not that hard to drop. for myself 300 yrs is my limit under ideal conditions 308 or 300 wsm.
Click to expand...

Yes, exactly. I do own a 30-06 Remington Semi-Auto and I have taken moose out to 400 yards with it. I am looking at a bolt action .308 target rifle that I could also use for hunting. 400 yards is the maximum I will ever shoot at a moose and even then that is far. Most shots will be sub 200yd. I have no experience with the ballistics of a .308 which is why I was asking.
 
mdbuckle:

You mentioned about using a target rifle. Target rifles are typically heavy – 9 lb plus scope. This may be suitable for hunting from a stand but it will tire you out in 2-3 hours stalking.

You have plenty of time to practice before moose season. No matter you are shooting 100, 200 or 300 yards you must practice and practice. Spending a box of ammo before the season doesn’t make you ready to shoot at those ranges. Also practice shooting from all positions not just off the bench.

Know you bullet drop and wind effect at each distance. A range finder would be helpful for estimating distance.

Good luck.

Danny
 
Bowie said:
A .308 will be fine for moose at any distance a sane person should be shooting at them from. While gunnuts like to debate specific cartridge choices, consider that most opinions are formed from one or two examples (if you are lucky) and contain many variables.
This said, it is my opinion that there is little practical difference between common hunting rounds, providing a properly constructed bullet is used, and shot placement is there.

BTW, most 300 yard shots I have witnessed have paced out at more like 180.
Click to expand...

I have taken moose with a .308. All the shots were on a standing animal at about 50 yds. I would hesitate to take a moose with 308 beyond 200 yds and would use a 180 grn bullet in any case. I have since gone to a 300 WSM. I like a bigger punch. :cool: I go on hunting trips up north in BC and it is a bit of an investment - like you all know! Having the gun I can shoot well enough with punch out to 300, 350 is a confidence factor. Besides, there be griz up north BC and I'd use something with a lanyard if I could in the moment of confronting a griz. :eek:
 
mdbuckle said:
Just wondering what the maximum effective range is for moose hunting with a .308. I would like something that I can shoot all day at the range and still use for moose 300+ yards. Is .308 enough?
Click to expand...
Sure a .308 is enough.... you obviously intend to practice.
I would prefer a 300WSM with a 24 inch barrel for a dedicated Moose/Range rifle. The efficiency inherent to the Short Mags makes it recoil friendly for all day shooting and the velocity/accuracy qualifies it as an obvious long range hunting choice.
Bullet selection is paramount for long range shooting at big game. JBRO.:)
 
Last edited:
I think shot placement and bullet construction are the key. Ft.-pds of energy is only part of the story. Lighter, modestly constructed bullets won't kill as effectively on very large game like moose, as heavier premium bullets over the wide variety of conditions which a hunter might face. If the bullet doesn't hold together and penetrate into a vital area it won't kill effectively on a big critter like a moose. 308 ballistics are capable of 300 yds and beyond. Recoil is manageable in the 308. No sense in shooting a big recoiling rifle at a moose, effective or not, if you can't hit with it because you're flinching!
Having said that, the more powerful calibers can provide better long range ballistics and deeper penetration than a 308 when premium bullets suitable for large game are used. IF you can lug the heavier and longer rifle all day and shoot it without flinching:rolleyes: .
I would much rather fling a 180 grain nosler partition load out of a 308 at the biggest moose on earth, than shoot at the same critter with economy bullets out of a belted magnum. :) If you are confident in your .308, get some top notch 180 grain bullets and get moose hunting!
 
I shot a moose with my .308 a couple years ago upwards of 350 - 400 yards.
It did the job. But, if you were seriously looking for something past 400 yards, I'd consider a .300Wm, or .338wm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom