- Location
- Western Manitoba
Just a reminder that the OP specifically asked about a suitable firearm to hunt bison - not so sure why this drifted over to moose?
The Scandinavian countries are fond of the 6.5x55 for Moose, IIRC. Seems a projectile that's smaller than .30cal works over there. Is it because their Moose are smaller than ours, or because of the shot placement requirement for hunters that was mentioned above?
Over in Sweden we just used to wound them with 6.5x55 so they couldn't get away and then we'd roll in a 300 ultra mag mounted on wheels like a canon to put them down. It was the only way.

Over in Sweden we just used to wound them with 6.5x55 so they couldn't get away and then we'd roll in a 300 ultra mag mounted on wheels like a canon to put them down. It was the only way.
I just looked up the regulations for calibers in Sweden for Hunting moose .The 6.5x55 is the minimum caliber on the go list (military surplus).But there are alot better choices on the list for sure.Sorry woodchopper but I can't let it go![]()
Duly noted for the future Sheep..........in all seriousness to the OP, I have used all three of the cartridges in question and have found the 300 WM to be the best all around by a significant margin. The 338 will do absolutely nothing that a 300 WM won't do with 200-225 gn bullets and the 300 WSM shines only in an ultra light SA rifle using light to medium bullets. The 300 WSM falls out of the race as soon as 180 gn + bullets are introduced. I load my 300 WSM with 150 gn TTSX and it is perfect for the intended use of the rifle, which is a specific niche of sheep and goat hunting and it's in a 5 lb 15 oz (all up, scope, sling and ammo on board) titanium actioned rifle.
The 300 WM can be used for all NA big game and only falls a touch light for the monster bears, but still very useable with back up. I guess the same could be said for the 338 WM but the 300 will outshine and out shoot it in the mountains and when ranges can get out there like sheep, goats and antelope. Just my humble opinion from the experiences I have had.
It would take four Swede's or one Norwegian to hang onto that 'pop gun' ......
Thought this thread was about buffalo ... ? .300 Winchester will do the job for you ....
Again, there appears to lots of talk about moose, when the OP wanted an opinion for a bison gun which has the versatility to do other things. If he wants a .338, and is confident in his ability to use it, the .338 is a good cartridge as is the .300 Winchester. While I don't really appreciate the value of WSM family of cartridges, honesty compels me to point out that a game animal shot with a .300 Winchester and a .300 WSM would be able to to tell them apart, nor could the hunter tell much difference in the animal's reaction to either shot.
What is it with people and the term "magnum"? Let's remove the "magnum" and call it a 338 Winchester. I bet it kicks a lot less now, probably a pussycat compared to a 300 Winchester MAGNUM. Probably very similar to a 9.3x62.![]()




























