Best caliber for moose that meets the following criteria?

.270 Winchester. I wouldn't go with a .270 WSM because it gives you no practical advantage and the factory loaded ammo is at least twice the price.
 
I shoot a t3 lite in 270wsm. Doesn't recoil too baddly with a limbsaver. I took a large 6x5 bull elk last year with a 160gr nosler partition, 1 shot pass through both lungs. I do reload.
 
CreamySmooth said:
Moose are pussies...
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Everything is a "pussy" on an ideal hit... not so much on a poor one... moose are big and tough and can go a long way on a poor hit... but due to their size, they don't have to go too far before they complicate recovery significantly... IMO.
 
c-fbmi said:
None of the calibers being discussed and recommended on here NEED a premium bullet.........I'm not sure why some guys on here keep emphasizing "and use a premium bullet". The 6.5, 270, 7-08, 7X57 and 308 are all sub 3000 fps cartridges (for the most part) and do not require premium bullets to function admirably, in some cases premium monometal bullets may actualy reduce their effectiveness. All of these cartridges function flawlessly with Speer, Sierra, Nosler BT and Horn C+C bullets. No need for premium bullets with this family of cartridges...................
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Now this is some very good advice!!! I'm glad it came from someone with Dougs hunting experience.
 
moose are big and tough and can go a long way on a poor hit
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... absolutely .. they must be hit precisely ......... as close to the road as possible!!
 
hoytcanon said:
Everything is a "pussy" on an ideal hit... not so much on a poor one... moose are big and tough and can go a long way on a poor hit... but due to their size, they don't have to go too far before they complicate recovery significantly... IMO.
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On a poor one... Moose go a few hundred, stop and lay down. Elk go.... And go.... And go.... I've shot many moose, elk, deer, mule deer and even a few antelope. Nothing lays down as soon as a moose, nothing goes as far as an elk. As well, a bull elk in rut that's rolled in mud... And driven that mud deep into the hair to harden, well, moose flesh doesn't even get close.
 
creamysmooth said:
on a poor one... Moose go a few hundred, stop and lay down. Elk go.... And go.... And go.... I've shot many moose, elk, deer, mule deer and even a few antelope. Nothing lays down as soon as a moose, nothing goes as far as an elk. As well, a bull elk in rut that's rolled in mud... And driven that mud deep into the hair to harden, well, moose flesh doesn't even get close.
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bison.............
 
CreamySmooth said:
On a poor one... Moose go a few hundred, stop and lay down. Elk go.... And go.... And go.... I've shot many moose, elk, deer, mule deer and even a few antelope. Nothing lays down as soon as a moose, nothing goes as far as an elk. As well, a bull elk in rut that's rolled in mud... And driven that mud deep into the hair to harden, well, moose flesh doesn't even get close.
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Your talking to a guy who trailed a bull, shot by a partner, SEVEN miles... and it didn't lay down once in seven miles... and the "coupe de grace" was delivered in the most God Forsaken spot imaginable... at the end, it was a toss up... shoot the bull or shoot my partner... it was touch and go for a few moments...
 
Dogleg said:
When I was I kid I did a powerful amount of brooding about what caliber gave the best combination of flat trajectory, light recoil and decent killing power for anything I was likely to get a crack at. With the information I had, and the writings of the day everything seemed to point to the .270 Win. Not much has changed since.

You've got to throw away that joke for a pad that the T3s Lites come with. If you've rating recoil by that abortion the results will be deceptive. A friend had a T3 in .300 Win awhile back that he was trying to flog to any one of us that would shoot it. It was a nasty little bugger, and like you say no fun at all. Those of us who could shoot it still couldn't find a lot of reasons to want to.

If this is more about recoil than anything, and you like the T3s Lites consider one in 7/08. My daughter has been shooting hers since she was 11 and I have trouble imagining anyone having trouble with the kick. Even that little gun benefitted from a pre-fit Limbsaver. I'd have no problem popping a moose with that cartridge.
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My uncle has shot dozens of moose over the years with a pre 64 model 70 in .270 win and a 130 partition ... he says they tip right over
 
hoytcanon said:
Your talking to a guy who trailed a bull, shot by a partner, SEVEN miles...
... at the end, it was a toss up... shoot the bull or shoot my partner... it was touch and go for a few moments...
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haha! I know that feeling, although not quite 7 miles, an not a moose/elk.... but Sambar.
 
pilot2001 said:
My uncle has shot dozens of moose over the years with a pre 64 model 70 in .270 win and a 130 partition ... he says they tip right over
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Then your uncle is a good shot... and any other critter of your choosing would likely have tipped over also...
 
Don't make it harder than it needs to be. .308 is fine for moose. You need to practice shooting it regularly and your recoil sensitivity will go away. Spend more time shooting and less time reading about it and you will go far.
 
If you are thinking of getting a Sako 85 I think it might be advisable to stick to the 308, since the long action Sako 85 such as the 270 Winchester has issues when mounting a scope with the cartridge hitting the scope when it ejects unless very high rings are used with 30mm scopes. I have a Sako Black Bear in 308 which I am very satisfied with. I did once own a Tikka in 308 which I did not enjoy shooting with because of the recoil.
 
You're probably not gonna want to hear this but be honest with yourself.......you just want to buy another gun....it's ok, you're among good company here! I've owned several T3 Lites and they are good rifles. Your 308 is more than enough for your needs and recoil shouldn't be an issue with a properly fit aftermarket pad. But if you're looking for an excuse to try something else, fill your boots. I'd look at a 6.5x55, 25-06, 257 Roberts or a 7-08. With the selection of very tough bullets available these days for reloading, all these calibres can be light recoiling and effective moose killers. I love odd ball calibres to the point of being ridiculous but when push comes to shove a 270, 308 or 30-06 is pretty hard to beat in most applications. At least in my opinion. Take care
 
Art said:
You're probably not gonna want to hear this but be honest with yourself.......you just want to buy another gun....it's ok, you're among good company here! I've owned several T3 Lites and they are good rifles. Your 308 is more than enough for your needs and recoil shouldn't be an issue with a properly fit aftermarket pad. But if you're looking for an excuse to try something else, fill your boots. I'd look at a 6.5x55, 25-06, 257 Roberts or a 7-08. With the selection of very tough bullets available these days for reloading, all these calibres can be light recoiling and effective moose killers. I love odd ball calibres to the point of being ridiculous but when push comes to shove a 270, 308 or 30-06 is pretty hard to beat in most applications. At least in my opinion. Take care
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Haha Ok Art, you got me. The Tikka T3 Lite I have now is a fine rifle and I have no issues with recoil. I couldn't say the same about it when I had it in .300 WinMag. I just used it to knock down a moose in December. I just thought I would treat myself to a Sako85 and most likely it would be .308 but I thought it never hurts to ask and get some new ideas and fresh perspective.
 
Yes the Sakos are very nice. I've owned a few myself over the years but keep selling them off for vintage Remington's, Brownings, etc. I think the price tag on the new sakos have gotten a little high. If I was gonna spend $2000 on a sako it would be an older specimen with really nice wood but to each his own.
 
IMO the 7mm RM is the best compromise for flat shooting, good power and reasonable recoil. The one caveat is that you should reload for best performance.

Find one is a Vanguard S2 and you will have accuracy and very manageable recoil in a reasonably priced package.
 
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