.32 win special for moose?

[kjohn]

A .32 Win for moose? and others say that a 30-30 is OK? I'm shocked! I thought we lived in the age where only the latest 375 WSSSSAUM was considered the smallest cartridge that any hunter should use for moose (and low flying aircraft).

Yes, I thought that, too. You should have a cartridge that at least half the hunting population has never heard of.

 

[Mike Webb]

Danny Boy: Poke a moose ANY SIZE through the ribcage with a .32 special at close range and there's meat in the pan, Period!!!

 

[Why not?]

Isnt that the truth. A worn out 32sp is a door stop or pry bar.

.... or, a perfect candidate to rebore to 38-55! Just call Ron Smith as soon as the grain harvest is over.

Ted

 

[nrut]

Experienced hunters have skilled moose using 32 special and 30-30. IMO 32 sp and 30-30 are marginal for moose given its limitations and they are certainly not my first choice for moose hunts.

Based from your posting, your friend is not an experienced hunter as he doesn’t even own any hunting equipment. I question the wisdom lending him the 32 special for his first hunting trip. There is a great chance in wounding the animal.

I strongly advise him to practice at the range to make sure he can consistently hit a pie plate at 100 yards.

Good advice Danny Boy...It's not the cartridge in this case but the hunter..

 

[2strklvr]

"A worn out 32sp is a door stop or pry bar."

The article I posted solidly refutes that statement, among others. It seems to be a common opinion that a well used .32spl won't shoot as well as an equally well used 30/30. That could just be old rifle folklore. The author states that in his opinion the reason for that perception was that back in the day it was not unheard of to use 30/30 cartridges in the .32spl due to the scarcity of the correct ammo. In a fresh bore the slightly smaller bullets would be OK, but factor in some bore wear combined with undersized lead and accuracy went right out the window. Sounds plausible, I can't see any other reason why a 30/30 would maintain accuracy while a .32spl would not.

 

[dan belisle]

Meh. I've used both. Get close, hit where you should, they work fine. - dan

 

[hunterhenderson]

I cant see how its so much better....

folk lore

 

[ykkid]

Funny how if we are lending the new hunter a "modest" caliber (insert your definition of modest here), there are numerous posts advising to hit the intended game in the vitals, perhaps some practice, and advocating getting close.
But, when a newb seeks advice as to whether the latest over-caliber magnum super zoomer will get it done on whatever intended game, the posts suggest how far away he can shoot "point blank", and where to zero his rifle to achieve this stupendous range. Apparently, hits anywhere with any magnum will fill the freezer, but only killing shots with "modest" cartridges will do so.

Probably that widely held belief explains the amount of carrion littering the woods in the fall.

 

[grit]

get close and poke him through the heart/lungs and he wont go far.

 

[grunt19]

Grandfather has been using the 32 special and a 30-30 for years