best round for moose with the lowest recoil
- Thread starter dpo2o
- Start date
- Location
- Lloydminster
358 Win
jeff338edgeai
Member
- Location
- Spruce Groovy
my favorite 300rum
7 mm Mauser, there are stories of elephants being taken by this round. Sencond choice is the Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55, its light and light on the shoulder as well. Its also take plenty of game. What ever you decide on get a good pad, load for it, and practice.
I don't, I knew someone would say a 22 lr. This guy is asking a legitimate question regarding a suitable cartridge. You can kill a moose with a swiss army knife to but that is not the question. A 22lr is not a suitable cartridge for moose, has a moose ever been killed with one, I am sure there has been at some point.
Just about any sized bullet into the heart or lungs will do it that is if you get it there!
I would settle for a well made, Nosler Part, TSX, grandslam, T B-bear claw bullet in a 6.5mm. (264, x55, x284) that style of case.
I would like feel better with a 30 cal (308-30-06), and would pick a 338 if given the choice and do not mind recoil.
The 308 is about as good as it gets here, 180 grain bullet, not alot of recoil, usually shoot pretty darn accurate. My little 70 feather wt with 180 gr TSX bullets is a pretty reliable little gun for any situation. Sure has not let me down, never shot a moose with her, but plenty of black pests and deer.
I would settle for a well made, Nosler Part, TSX, grandslam, T B-bear claw bullet in a 6.5mm. (264, x55, x284) that style of case.
I would like feel better with a 30 cal (308-30-06), and would pick a 338 if given the choice and do not mind recoil.
The 308 is about as good as it gets here, 180 grain bullet, not alot of recoil, usually shoot pretty darn accurate. My little 70 feather wt with 180 gr TSX bullets is a pretty reliable little gun for any situation. Sure has not let me down, never shot a moose with her, but plenty of black pests and deer.
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JohnC
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There certainly have been moose killed with a 22, usually long rifle, but it is obviously, in no way, a suitable moose cartridge.
And here is some fact, not something I read, or something someone told me. A broadside shot at a moose at forty yards, with a 22 long rifle, will not penetrate to the lung area. The heavy hide and meat under the hide, will stop the bullets before they even get to the rib cage. Five shots, and everyone the same, some higher and some lower, in the side. No chance, whatsoever, of killing a moose with a 22 lr to the "boiler room."
Someone rhimed off all the top quality bullets for a 6.5 Mauser. We all know the super hyped, expensive bullets work well in suitable calibres and we all know the expense of the bullets compared to the expenses of a hunting trip are a nothing. However, that type of bullet is not needed in the 6.5 Mauser, to kill moose. The 6.5 was loaded in Canada with the 160 grain, round nose soft point bullet, and this was the missle that made the great reputation for the 6.5 Mauser, as a moose killer. As a young boy, I used to look at that long bullet, and think it was pretty neat looking, as compared to the usual 30-30 types. I also knew that the men who used the 6.5 didn't have to follow a wounded moose through the bush.
And here is some fact, not something I read, or something someone told me. A broadside shot at a moose at forty yards, with a 22 long rifle, will not penetrate to the lung area. The heavy hide and meat under the hide, will stop the bullets before they even get to the rib cage. Five shots, and everyone the same, some higher and some lower, in the side. No chance, whatsoever, of killing a moose with a 22 lr to the "boiler room."
Someone rhimed off all the top quality bullets for a 6.5 Mauser. We all know the super hyped, expensive bullets work well in suitable calibres and we all know the expense of the bullets compared to the expenses of a hunting trip are a nothing. However, that type of bullet is not needed in the 6.5 Mauser, to kill moose. The 6.5 was loaded in Canada with the 160 grain, round nose soft point bullet, and this was the missle that made the great reputation for the 6.5 Mauser, as a moose killer. As a young boy, I used to look at that long bullet, and think it was pretty neat looking, as compared to the usual 30-30 types. I also knew that the men who used the 6.5 didn't have to follow a wounded moose through the bush.
We all know the super hyped, expensive bullets work well in suitable calibres and we all know the expense of the bullets compared to the expenses of a hunting trip are a nothing. However, that type of bullet is not needed in the 6.5 Mauser, to kill moose. The 6.5 was loaded in Canada with the 160 grain, round nose soft point bullet, and this was the missle that made the great reputation for the 6.5 Mauser, as a moose killer.
This is 100% true, but you """need""" as you said to get it there. And the 6.5mm balistically is one of the best, the length plows through and pushed just about any bullet configuration to where it needed to be.
I will agree we have such superior bullets now, but no not needed, it is just a security blanket for my self when using high velocity rounds, like the 264 wm of 257 wby.
To me its all about getting the bullet to the vitals in these small but yet effective bullets, if it penetrates from chest to ass or one side to the other thats ok with me.
I see your point for the mauser along with the 55s teh velocity was not and issue bullets retained wieght and drove through. I do shoot 140 gr Hdy SPs in my 55 for deer.
Good post!
This is 100% true, but you """need""" as you said to get it there. And the 6.5mm balistically is one of the best, the length plows through and pushed just about any bullet configuration to where it needed to be.
I will agree we have such superior bullets now, but no not needed, it is just a security blanket for my self when using high velocity rounds, like the 264 wm of 257 wby.
To me its all about getting the bullet to the vitals in these small but yet effective bullets, if it penetrates from chest to ass or one side to the other thats ok with me.
I see your point for the mauser along with the 55s teh velocity was not and issue bullets retained wieght and drove through. I do shoot 140 gr Hdy SPs in my 55 for deer.
Good post!
I'll elaborate on SakoAlberta's (brief) suggestion. My choice in this department for this upcoming year is the .358 winchester in a savage 99.
Like everything in the .308 family you get modest recoil and great efficiency. A 225 gr bullet from a 358 delivers somewhat more energy (no practical difference energy-wise) as the 165 grain bullets I've been using in my 30-06 for the last few years. It does this with less recoil and with a combination of energy/velocity/bullet size that probably kills more effectively with less meat damage.
The only drawback I see in my current rig is that it has a 24'' barrel, and I don't feel this is necessary with such an efficient cartridge. I might put a 20'' barrel on it at some point. Don't worry savage fans, I won't cut it, rather I'll get a new one and hang on to the original.
I handled a Ruger hawkeye in .358 last year that would have been a wonderful hunting rig (with a 1-4 or 2-7 scope). Just the right weight for recoil attenuation (not that it'd be too stiff anyhow) and steady aim, and compact for making your way through willows or alders. Felt really solid. I'd consider it for sure as a modest recoil moose gun.
RG
<><
Like everything in the .308 family you get modest recoil and great efficiency. A 225 gr bullet from a 358 delivers somewhat more energy (no practical difference energy-wise) as the 165 grain bullets I've been using in my 30-06 for the last few years. It does this with less recoil and with a combination of energy/velocity/bullet size that probably kills more effectively with less meat damage.
The only drawback I see in my current rig is that it has a 24'' barrel, and I don't feel this is necessary with such an efficient cartridge. I might put a 20'' barrel on it at some point. Don't worry savage fans, I won't cut it, rather I'll get a new one and hang on to the original.
I handled a Ruger hawkeye in .358 last year that would have been a wonderful hunting rig (with a 1-4 or 2-7 scope). Just the right weight for recoil attenuation (not that it'd be too stiff anyhow) and steady aim, and compact for making your way through willows or alders. Felt really solid. I'd consider it for sure as a modest recoil moose gun.
RG
<><
best round for moose
item 1: The best round for moose is the well placed shot.
item 2: A large caliber is preferable as long as it's recoil don't make you flinch
because then you couldn't achieve item 1. It is advised to fire-practice during off season and in all shooting positions, not only on the bench which is used only to sight your rifle. Most moose hunters don't carry their shooting bench in the woods. Have a good weekend.
item 1: The best round for moose is the well placed shot.
item 2: A large caliber is preferable as long as it's recoil don't make you flinch
because then you couldn't achieve item 1. It is advised to fire-practice during off season and in all shooting positions, not only on the bench which is used only to sight your rifle. Most moose hunters don't carry their shooting bench in the woods. Have a good weekend.
Ever since I learned to shoot an FNC1 at cadet camp back in 1969 the .308 has been my favourite round, both for target and hunting. I have three different loads for it and none of them disappoint. I just find it to be a great all-round choice.
In this thread you have heard a variety of answers, the majority of them from the .270, 6.5 X 55, .308 and .30-06 camps, and there's the beauty of CGN; one question, several experienced answers, and they're all right!!!
Another plus is - look at all the rifles you have to buy now!!!!
In this thread you have heard a variety of answers, the majority of them from the .270, 6.5 X 55, .308 and .30-06 camps, and there's the beauty of CGN; one question, several experienced answers, and they're all right!!!
Another plus is - look at all the rifles you have to buy now!!!!
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I shoot a number of calibers and don't find too much difference in the recoil between most of them. A lot of time it depends on the gun and at other times, the shooter.
If recoil is a big factor, I would only be concerned when shooting at the range and you can look after this by wearing an appropriate pad. Although I have a commercial shoulder pad, usually all that I wear is a rolled-up towel under my shirt and this works fine. The only time that a caliber bothers me at the range is when I shoot my 375 H&H Mag and for that reason, I don't shoot it anymore. Now I confine my shooting to such calibers as 300 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, 338 Win Mag, 308, etc, and to me, they feel just about the same using a towel as a shoulder pad when at the range.
I'm going on 74 but I'm in pretty good shape and have been shooting for over 60 years. Yes, I did hunt in my younger years with a Lee Enfield 303 British and it was more than adequate. But who would drive a beat up Ford when they could afford a new BMW (my favorite) or other high end vehicles.
As far as recoil during hunting, forget it, the average hunter would never be able to either feel it or be able to assess it after taking a shot at a game such as a moose, deer, bear, etc.
My 2 cents,
Duke1
If recoil is a big factor, I would only be concerned when shooting at the range and you can look after this by wearing an appropriate pad. Although I have a commercial shoulder pad, usually all that I wear is a rolled-up towel under my shirt and this works fine. The only time that a caliber bothers me at the range is when I shoot my 375 H&H Mag and for that reason, I don't shoot it anymore. Now I confine my shooting to such calibers as 300 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, 338 Win Mag, 308, etc, and to me, they feel just about the same using a towel as a shoulder pad when at the range.
I'm going on 74 but I'm in pretty good shape and have been shooting for over 60 years. Yes, I did hunt in my younger years with a Lee Enfield 303 British and it was more than adequate. But who would drive a beat up Ford when they could afford a new BMW (my favorite) or other high end vehicles.
As far as recoil during hunting, forget it, the average hunter would never be able to either feel it or be able to assess it after taking a shot at a game such as a moose, deer, bear, etc.
My 2 cents,
Duke1
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Agreed.
My late uncle Harry who lived in North Eastern Ontario "moosed out" just about every year for decades.
His gun .......an ancient Remington pump action in .35 Remington caliber. I recall that the rifle had a distinctive spiral rail that the pump fore end traveled up & down on.
The stubby little cartridge looked like a thimble with an erection.
But you can't argue with meat on the ground & the vast majority of his moose harvests were one shot kills.
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- Location
- Stony Plain, Alberta
If you want to kill a moose and don't like recoil, your going to have to learn how to shoot. Buy a .243win or a 6mm rem, go to the range until you are capable and confidant that you can cleanly kill with it. Go gopher hunting with this rifle. The next step is to graduate to a .270win or similar cartridge, and practice.
