Back up gun .444 or .308 for moose

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Sgt. Rock

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Going to Quebec in 18 days(yes I am counting) for a moose hunt. I will be carrying my 300Rum but I am fit to be tied with what gun to take as a back up. I shoot both my .308 and the .444 well, with the new Hornady 265er's I think the .444 could take down King Kong. I want to take the .444 but do you think that the .444 could give up too much distance to the .308 if a 300 or so yard shot comes up. I am just looking for what you guys think.
Sgt.
 
as a backup the 444 is still a 200 yrs gun. not to bad. the 308 would give a little more range but not as cool. i often take a 444 as backup to my 300 short and don't feel under gunned.
 
I have shot many moose with a 308 - no problem didn't lose a one. I switched to a 270wsm in the last couple of years because I happen to really enjoy shooting that caliber. :D
 
A bonus with your .444 you can load shot in it! I put 15 gr. of ww296 a 410 wad and 1/2 oz #7.5 capped off with a 44 cal. gas check inverted and a slight crimp. deadly on grouse to about 20 yds. You have to load them into the chamber as they won't cycle through the action. Lots of fun. I even went to the skeet range and freaked everybody out when I pulled a lever gun to shoot. Even hit a few birds. LOL
 
Take the .308. If your RUM ammo gets lost in transit, you'l lbe able to get .308. You won't likely find either .300RUM or .444 in the boonies. .308 is everywhere.
 
I guide and use the .444 always. And I have never shot a moose more than once with it. And the fact that you can shoot 2 3/4" .410 shells out of it doesn't hurt either.
 
I'm heading out tomorrow for several weeks in Northern BC.

I am taking my 300 and 375 RUM's with me and as a backup/camp rifle I am taking my Marlin 1895GS 45-70. I am also taking several handguns as well but that is because I have an ATC and can... oh yeah the 45-70 will be a backup for them as well.... :dancingbanana:

Obviously I'd leave the little 308 at home and take the 444.....

You got to love that dancing banana........ :)
 
my main moose/deer gun is a Ruger Frontier in .300WSM. My backup is a 45-70 guide gun with a peep sight using hotloaded 350 grainers. I was able to ship my guns & ammo with my buddy who lives up north so an airline loss is not an issue. Depending on the terrain I hunt i'll use one or the other.
 
I've never owned a .444 So I would pick that. Lot's of fellas use a .308 It's good to be different. Just my 2 cents.

Dave.
 
Between those two, I'd go with the 444 using 265gr Hornady handloads. For me this year a .308 Norma Mag will be my primary & a 1895 Marlin GS in .45-70 as back up. Handloads all the way around.
 
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