Another moose rifle question

It's a little over a week to go and I have all my bullets, powder and guns sorted I think.

.260 rem I have 140gr Nosler Partitions being pushed by 46g of H4831SC - 2635fts
.45 Colt. will be 340grCC monsters being pushed by 23gr of H110 at 1610fts
30-30 I loaded some 170gr Hornady interlocks but I can't get them to feed in my Winchester so I will just bring some factory 170gr SP

They will all be making the trip and will decide when I get there.

Thanks for all you advice, happy hunting.

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freddyfour said:
I believe it is typical Ontario bush, it is in Cloyne and from the Google map looks fairly thick. I really like the 92, it is light, very quick to point and hits like a Mack truck.
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Yes, typical bush: If you are on the crown land in that area, I've spent lots of time growing up camping, fishing and motorbiking around there. Lots of clear lanes due to hydro right of ways and logging, large marshes, countless lakes, creek meadows and the bush - the kind of bush you have to snake a path through.

It's a nice area and I think it wise you are taking a couple of your available rifles: Depending on your method of hunting, it's hard to say what and where you will be watching for the moose and if this is consistant, you will be prepared to deal with the options. Enjoy!
 
Moose not hard to kill? lmao I would like to know what type of moose you guys are hunting. I have taken over 60 Moose from Northern BC to Quebec, with about 45 of those in Northern Ontario, with everything from a 243 to a 338 WM, the last one I took, 4 days ago, had three 220 grain from a WSM smash lung/heart and shoulder at 38 yds, and one through the head just below the ear. When I walked back to the moose with my rope and gear, it stood up and faced me with lowered antlers... took a another between the peepers to keep it down and this is not uncommon. I have also taken many elk in AB and BC, NONE can take a beating like a large moose. However, I have also seen both elk and moose drop like stones with everything from 44 rem mag, 22-250, 410 slug, 243 and up. Don't think for s second that any specific caliber/weight/speed is going to be more than enough for our largest of the deer family, especially when it is a round not considered by everyone to be "enough" gun.

The 30-30 or the 260 should be adequate, just don't expect it to plant a moose on the spot with the first round, it might happen, but just as likely, it will not.
 
Elk are typically a lot harder to put down for the count than a moose is, a big bull elk will not go into the bush 100 yds and lay down like a deer or moose will when wounded.

That being said the .260, or 30-30 will work out to 150 yds, i would hesitate on using the 45 lc simply because if you do happen to hit a twig or branch the already slower moving bullet will lose momentum and being a heavy slow mover it will need all the energy it can hold at impact.

Any of the three will work with proper shot placement though.
 
None of the guns in question makes an ideal moose rifle IMO. They will work if the shooter can recognize a doubtful shot and is prepared to pass on the opportunity and wait for a closer shot. IME most guys are lucky to see one moose in a one week hunt and so tend to fire away at ranges they shouldn't. It is for these reasons so many of the recommendations here are to obtain a more suitable caliber.

I've seen moose taken with everything from .243 up. Within the last two weeks we took a yearling cow. It didn't move far but it took l hit from a 300WM and 2 from a 300 WSM before going down. Range-about 300 yards. Would the OP have been willing to pass on a chance like this? If not then none of his choices are good IMO.

In my younger days I hunted at times with less than suitable equipment. Fortunately I recognized its limitations and stayed within them. Just some things to think about.

Jim
 
OntJim said:
None of the guns in question makes an ideal moose rifle IMO. They will work if the shooter can recognize a doubtful shot and is prepared to pass on the opportunity and wait for a closer shot. IME most guys are lucky to see one moose in a one week hunt and so tend to fire away at ranges they shouldn't. It is for these reasons so many of the recommendations here are to obtain a more suitable caliber.

I've seen moose taken with everything from .243 up. Within the last two weeks we took a yearling cow. It didn't move far but it took l hit from a 300WM and 2 from a 300 WSM before going down. Range-about 300 yards. Would the OP have been willing to pass on a chance like this? If not then none of his choices are good IMO.

In my younger days I hunted at times with less than suitable equipment. Fortunately I recognized its limitations and stayed within them. Just some things to think about.

Jim
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All good points. I am not brand new to hunting, just brand new to hunting Moose. It has taken a few years to get an invite to an established group, which is what I wanted so I can learn from more seasons Moose hunters. I respect the limitations of these rifles and will hunt with in them. I know I am not packing the ideal rifles but with a second baby on the way my budget for new rifles is out the window this year!!

Edward Teach said:
Which gun are you most comfortable shooting (and hitting your target) with?
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Under a hundred yards the Colt and me do quite well. The .260 is well under MOA with AMAX and its match barrel, am heading out tomorrow to see how the Noslers do. Last would be the dirty thirty, I just don't shoot more then 100rds a year out of it.
 
The choices you have all require the same thing. A close up cool shot.
You did say this was your fist moose hunt right?
Buck fever can do horrible things to a mans shooting ability, and with any of those choices, you need to shoot for the heart / lung, and broadside. No weird angle crap. Unless you can match my spine shot from above the moose with the 30-30 a few years back.
Would you get buck fever if a moose appeared at ten feet? Running towards you? The last moose I shot did exactly that, in fact the cow passed to my right, the calf to my left. Early morning in tag alders.
i am under no illusions, the cartridges are all capable. But I know from experience that at least 99% of all failures are the guy behind the gun. Think about it seriously before you proceed.
 
I would take all three along and ask them what they would prefer that you use. You don't want to bring the wrong gun in their opinion. Also, someone in the group might take a shine to something you have and offer you a trade on a "real" moose rifle(whatever that means) for next year. You could also get another barrel in the .308 family for the Savage.
 
The Rem 260 with 140 gr Core-Lokt bullets developes about 1740 foot pounds of energy at 200 yds and 1600 foot pounds of energy at 250 yds. Should work well for moose at these ranges.
 
Just use the one you prefer and are most comfortable with for the situation, in the end all of our opinions do not amount to a hill of beans. Good luck with the hunt! Moose hunting can build some amazing memories....
 
wjt said:
I would take all three along and ask them what they would prefer that you use. You don't want to bring the wrong gun in their opinion. Also, someone in the group might take a shine to something you have and offer you a trade on a "real" moose rifle(whatever that means) for next year. You could also get another barrel in the .308 family for the Savage.
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There will be no trading, only adding to the collection!! I had a 308 barrel that came on the rifle but I sold it when I got the new barrel. Maybe not my best move but at the time there was no plan for a moose hunt.
 
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