Best all round moose rifle...

ratherbefishin

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Most of my moose hunting is calling in the thick stuff with under 50 yard shots and a 30/06 is quite adequite ,but this year we were hunting meadows on a river bank and the shots were potentially 250 yards...so given that, what caliber is most suitable-a .338?

I am well aware that historically the 303 has likely taken more moose than any other caliber ....but I'm thinking of this years hunt with the considerably longer ranges
 
270, 280, 303, 308, 30-06, etc. If you're just looking an excuse to buy another gun then I would 300wsm but that's just because I don't have one in the cabinet yet. Your 30-06 is more than enough gun for those shots. Sight in for 200 yard put crosshairs on vitals and squeeze trigger. He'll drop in short order.
 
If your rifle shoots straight out to 250 yards with decent hunting ammo, take all that money you where willing to spend on a new riffle and add that to the optics you're now buying for your good rifle.
 
Yep. What they said.

If I was looking for an excuse to buy a moose gun I'd be considering a 7mm RM or a 35 Whelen, for no other reason than I find them appealing.

Use the ought-6.
 
With the bullet placed where it should the moose won't know the difference between all those calibers mentioned at 250yds. Buy a different gun if you want to buy a different gun, but don't think that the .30-06 isn't more than capable to do the job at 250.
 
"...Long range moose cartridges...power and trajectory for 200+ yard shots....various .300 Magnums, 8x68S, 8mm Rem. Magnum, the .338 Magnums, .358 Norma Magnum and 9.3x64. Most of the .375 Magnums could also be included but...."

http://www.chuckhawks.com/moose_cartridges.htm

I like my .416 Remington Magnum as an all around Moose rifle :p -

416%20RM%20Carbine_e_zps28hexhk2.jpg

Zastava .416 Rem. Mag. Fullstock carbine with Nikon Monarch 1.5-4.5x20mm scope
 
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I've got a 9.3 x57 which tosses a 286 gr bullet of soft lead but the trajectory limits most shots to under 250 yards,it falls off pretty quickly at longer ranges.The 9.3x62 might extend that a bit,not sure
 
It is true that a 30-06 will kill moose with the best of them but under some conditions it may be lacking.
I would prefer heavier bullets than I usually use in my 30-06 (165-180) something in the 200 to 220gr range,
although the 06 will work out to 250yds and beyond it will be lacking when the heavier bullets are used due to it's
rainbow trajectories but if you are proficient and can compensate you will be able to succeed in harvesting your moose.
I would prefer to leave my 06 at home because frankly I have other choices and actually prefer a 300 magnum or 338 for
all my moose hunting except in the thick stuff where my 358 Win or my 350 Rem Mag with a low power scope and
backed up with iron sights get the nod.
Good Luck
bb
 
The ultimate moose cartridge is the 340 Weatherby..........at any range !!!!!!!!

Psssssttttt; Your '06 will work just fine at 250 mtrs with either 165 or 180 gn cup and core bullets.
 
Have not seen a wrong answer yet, but if you need an excuse for another rifle, go .300 WM

I opted for .375 H&H this because of what Superbrad said. :) Also little meat damage.
 
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