Can the 30-06 show enough might to drop moose.

180gr .30-06? Yeah, I'd hunt moose with it. I wouldn't necessarily try to take down a big bull at more than 200 yrds, nor would I be crazy enough to shoot one too close without a howitzer as backup - you just never know if the crazy bastard will decide to kill you as well.

I would suggest a .300 win mag or .375 instead. I wouldn't try a big one with a .45-70 because you just have to get too close (unless its a survival situation, and even then I'd probably pick on something a little smaller!). Maybe I'm just a chicken, but I don't get my thrills from pissing off a 2000 lb animal that wouldn't think twice about charging a freight train, know what I mean? LR
 
LoneRanger said:
180gr .30-06? Yeah, I'd hunt moose with it. I wouldn't necessarily try to take down a big bull at more than 200 yrds, nor would I be crazy enough to shoot one too close without a howitzer as backup - you just never know if the crazy bastard will decide to kill you as well.

I would suggest a .300 win mag or .375 instead. I wouldn't try a big one with a .45-70 because you just have to get too close (unless its a survival situation, and even then I'd probably pick on something a little smaller!). Maybe I'm just a chicken, but I don't get my thrills from pissing off a 2000 lb animal that wouldn't think twice about charging a freight train, know what I mean? LR
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After that I just have one question...... Are tinfoil hats hot in the summer?
 
LoneRanger said:
180gr .30-06? Yeah, I'd hunt moose with it. I wouldn't necessarily try to take down a big bull at more than 200 yrds, nor would I be crazy enough to shoot one too close without a howitzer as backup - you just never know if the crazy bastard will decide to kill you as well.

I would suggest a .300 win mag or .375 instead. I wouldn't try a big one with a .45-70 because you just have to get too close (unless its a survival situation, and even then I'd probably pick on something a little smaller!). Maybe I'm just a chicken, but I don't get my thrills from pissing off a 2000 lb animal that wouldn't think twice about charging a freight train, know what I mean? LR
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I think he was asking about moose, not elephants. :bangHead:
 
Moose and the '06

Lots of good reading on a question like this.. It is always good to have a plan as to how far you will shoot with which bullet/cartridge combination, hopefully one will step out at the range you are hoping to shoot him at. I hunt in the brush and usually see them under 100 yards if I am walking or within 150 if I am in the truck. Suprisingly they hide better than you would expect. My first rifle was a 7x57, and it killed a few moose for me, only one took two shots, and I loaded 175 gr hornady round nose bullets, probably to about 2300 fps. Of course as I was a reloader and read all the magazines and manuals, I had to go to larger and larger cartridges. I have shot a moose with an '06, with 200gr CIL RN KKSP, it was effective though bullet failed at about 150 yards. My conclusion after all this is that killing moose is a bullet placement issue, and if you can get a bullet into their lungs, what it does after that is not too important. The moose I have shot did not bolt when shot in the chest, they generally went a short distance and died. I did shoot a running bull in the hump with the 45/70, with a 500 grain cast bullet at about 1800 fps, and it was a dramatic knock down, but he got back up and had to be shot again. Now I hunt moose mostly with a 6.5x55 Ackley Improved, and an Ackley only because it is interesting. I would have no reseverations hunting with a standard 6.5.x55 If I were going on a hunt of a lifetime, or a big money guided hunt, I might be convinced to go to a bigger cartridge.

If I were to write a list of priorities for a moose rifle/bullet combination I would put it this way..

You have to be able to hit where you want to, and you have to know where you want to hit, you have to have a bullet that is not at such high velocity that it will fail before causing a fatal wound. 180 gr bullets have killed thousands of moose in the '06, Ordinary winchesters/remingtons/speers/hornadys/ bullets have worked for many. If you push the rifle to the max of its velocity, and shoot game at close range, then a tougher bullet may be called for. The path a bullet will take through an animal is not predictable, and even with the premium bullets a moose may get back up..

So don't sweat your bullet choice.. It is rare that a hunters bullet is the reason he is eating beef all winter. Find a bullet you like and practise.. A good friend of mine heart shot a moose at 425 long paces with a 180 grain bullet in a 303 brit a long time ago. Of course the moose was quickly dead. We were young, and he did it offhand. If you can shoot like that almost any bullet in your '06 will kill moose dead as a stone at long range..
Al
 
my father inlaw has taken around a dozen moose with his 06. 150 grain winchester super-x bullets. Shots all within 150yards. all animals died within eyesight.
 
I agree with all the posters who swear by the 168-grain Barnes TripleShock in the .30-06. In my opinion, that is the perfect all-around big game bullet for the .30-06. They are also phenomenally accurate in my rifle. Most people who've tried them say the same thing.

I would not hesitate to use them on moose at 350 yards at .30-06 velocities.

Other bullets work great, as well. But having found an excellent load with the 168 TSX, I wouldn't see the need to change. Guys like Todbartel and Martinbns (to name just a few) seem to agree...
 
moose cartridge

I've shot moose with a 308 winchester a 7x57 mauser and an 8x57 mauser. All were one shot kills. Of the ten shot only one went further then 50 yds after having been hit. I find that elk are way harder to put down then moose. Moose tend to be less hyper in temperment I think. Anyways I think that with a well constructed 180 grain bullet you should be fine for moose with a 30 06. Just make the FIRST shot count. Good luck
 
P17

you would also probably agree that a 6.5x55 is a fair moose cartridge too, and that shot placement is the biggest key in the outcome of the hunt. We tend to over analyze muzzle velocity and bullet weight. Moose dont know what type of bullet hit them. They do react to bullets placed into their vitals.

Hit them with a quality bullet that will penetrate some bone and muscle, and go moose hunting :wave:
 
Oh, there's more than enough stories around of guys shooting bulls and they turned and charged, I don't think I need to elaborate too much more. But like I said, I'd hunt them with an '06. LR
 
LoneRanger said:
Oh, there's more than enough stories around of guys shooting bulls and they turned and charged, I don't think I need to elaborate too much more. But like I said, I'd hunt them with an '06. LR
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Oh, don't worry, I'm totally with you man. I don't trust any of them. In fact, I'm just finishing the snow camo on my new varmint rifle; a 416 Remiington on a BRNO. Can't trust them coyotes either; you'll never know when they're gonna turn. And some of them buggers weigh upwards of 200lbs!:eek:
 
Moose with a 30-06? Out to 400 yards??? YOU Bet!!! Not a problem, but as has been so eloquently stated, get to know your rifle, shoot it plenty so you can put the bullet where you want, choose a decent 165-180 grain bullet (I favor Partitions, but TSX, Accubond and others will do fine) Don't take any iffy shots, and you will be enjoying moosemeat all winter. The 20+ moose I have shot with the '06 all tasted just fine!! Regards, Eagleye
 
todbartell said:
I shot a small bull with a 168 TSX, at 250 yards a couple years ago. He folded to a high lung shot which exited. Really hammered the bull. I also shot a bull elk this past fall with a 165 grain Accubond which penetrated very deep on a frontal shot. The elk weighed over a hundred pounds more at the butchers than the moose did the prior year.


Id feel confident shooting a 165 grain Accubond, TSX, Partition, A-Frame, or Scirroco. Id also use 180 grain bullets if they shot better in my rifle. Hell, if your shots will most likely be inside 200-250 yards, a 200 grain soft point or 220 round nose would shine.

30-06 is a great moose cartridge

Sept_10th_2006_LEH_Bull_010.jpg


mmmmm moose burgers :D
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thats one happy lookin moose :)
 
Gatehouse said:
Has it really come to this? Questioning the 30-06 as a moose cartridge?

:popCorn:
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I mean really. In what cave must have one beein hiding to have to ask this question, lest one be a disturber of sh!t?

I've never seen a moose past 300 yards. I've never seen anything past 300 yards in my typical moose hunting territory. I offer that in close quarters with lots of cover, heavier is better. I wouldn't be comfortable with anything less than 165, regardless of surroundings.
 
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