Had the opportunity to take a bull moose last year at 192 meters (209 yards). It was a cold, hollow morning with no wind and a light frost layer on the ground. After settling into my watch I let out a couple of cow calls only to hear the familiar "Whoaaa" response from about 600-700 yards away. I softly called twice more and then heard the cracking of twigs and branches as the bull started making his way toward me.
I shoot a Sako 75 chambered in .338 winmag and use Remington Safari Grade 225 gr Swift A-Frame ammunition. As the moose stepped out of the forest into view he turned broadside. I ranged him and then put the cross hairs just behind the front left shoulder as I prefer double lung shots so the shoulder is not destroyed. As the round hit him he broke into a trot along the edge of the woods. I chambered a second round, put the crosshairs where they belong and squeezed off a second shot. He stopped trotting, stood there for about 10 seconds before the hind legs started to wobble, and then fell over. I love it when a plan comes together.
We got the canoe, crossed the creek and went to dress the moose. After skinning and disassembly I snapped a few photos of the bullet wounds to show what a through and through looks like. Keep in mind that the ribs are about 2" wide. The bull was dead after the first shot but didn't realize it until the second round made the point.
The first pic is the bull on the ground.
The second picture shows the inside ribcage view of the entry wounds. Rounds were about 3-4 inches apart on entry. The 3rd picture shows the exit wounds on the right side of the ribcage, bullets went through and through about 10 inches apart on exit.
Rib bone fragmentation effect on the lungs was profuse and devastating. There was no loss of meat.
Fourth picture shows entire rib cage from behind to give perspective.
Last picture is of my hunting buddy, elbows deep in blood, who graciously did most of the disassembly so that I could photograph the sequence. Thanks Darbdarb. Cheers,
-P7
I shoot a Sako 75 chambered in .338 winmag and use Remington Safari Grade 225 gr Swift A-Frame ammunition. As the moose stepped out of the forest into view he turned broadside. I ranged him and then put the cross hairs just behind the front left shoulder as I prefer double lung shots so the shoulder is not destroyed. As the round hit him he broke into a trot along the edge of the woods. I chambered a second round, put the crosshairs where they belong and squeezed off a second shot. He stopped trotting, stood there for about 10 seconds before the hind legs started to wobble, and then fell over. I love it when a plan comes together.
We got the canoe, crossed the creek and went to dress the moose. After skinning and disassembly I snapped a few photos of the bullet wounds to show what a through and through looks like. Keep in mind that the ribs are about 2" wide. The bull was dead after the first shot but didn't realize it until the second round made the point.
The first pic is the bull on the ground.
The second picture shows the inside ribcage view of the entry wounds. Rounds were about 3-4 inches apart on entry. The 3rd picture shows the exit wounds on the right side of the ribcage, bullets went through and through about 10 inches apart on exit.
Rib bone fragmentation effect on the lungs was profuse and devastating. There was no loss of meat.
Fourth picture shows entire rib cage from behind to give perspective.
Last picture is of my hunting buddy, elbows deep in blood, who graciously did most of the disassembly so that I could photograph the sequence. Thanks Darbdarb. Cheers,
-P7
