cartridge/bullet ethics of hunting Moose.

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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first, this conversation isn't about becoming judgmental about what others may feel fine with hunting moose with. a lot has to do with ability and confidence that comes with it.

that said, it's not so much about cartridge anymore, due to the advanced made in bullet construction and powders, making for some very versatile options, like shown in the .243 Winchester thread, where many commented about taking moose, even at some extended ranges over 200 yards. one could say the .243 is a fairly lightweight cartridge compared to a lot of the bigger options out there. hopefully nobody would hunt moose with a .22 Hornet unless the circumstances were dire!!! :yingyang:

I mentioned I had forgotten about the .243 Win and would consider it. but as I thought more, the 6.5mm family has approximately the same recoil, but can launch heavier weight bullets with extremely high sectional densities, perhaps that would be a better option. which leads me to look at the 6.5 Grendel vs. the 6.5 Creedmore.
 
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A good moose gun for me, had been the 300wm. I have used 308,280,& a 25-06 with a partition bullet. If I was looking for another hunting rifle for some of the longer ranges we get in Alberta, it would be the 300wm. If hunting in the close swampy cover any mid power would do. A little more than needed is better than a little less.
 
Paul_T said:
If you are looking into 6.5mm then go directly to the 6.5 x 55 Swede
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Especially for a hunting rifle! If he wanted to play the PRS game I'd look at the Creedmoor, and the Grendel is small for a moose gun (2700fps w/120gr pill) - it fits in an AR15.

My first 6.5 will likely be a 260 Rem though, I like the 308-based case and I reload so brass /ammo availability isn't an issue. (although I may end up with a 7mm08 instead. Another good lower recoil hunting round)
 
I personally want a short action rifle, so I'd likely go with something like the .260 Remington, especially since I intend on staying with the .308 family.

also, please enlighten me with what 'PRS game' means?
 
The 6.5mm cartridges have finally been discovered. Sure, there are many Mauser 96s around, but probably due to the 6.5 Creedmoor, many have become aware of the fact that 6.5 bullets out perform .30 cal bullets due to higher BCs and sectional density and have lighter recoil. Great rounds such as the 1894-developed 6.5X55SE are tops for moose and there are many fine choices for the handloader.
 
Consider this if you will.
You've been hunting hard in some really crummy weather for a solid week. The hunt is winding down and you haven't seen a moose at all. Then on the last day the bull moose you've only dreamt about steps into view and hangs up at 300ish yards. You've only got a small amount of time to make the shot or risk going home to an empty freezer.
This scenario is why I always tend to go over gunned. Can I kill a moose at 100yds with a 243? Yes. But a 30cal magnum or larger just saved you from certain failure in this instance. The moose won't complain if you kill it a 50yds with the same gun.
I look at it as cheap insurance.
Ymmv
 
another question...how do you use sectional density figures when you have two calibers that are vastly different, like .308 (150g) vs .243 (100g), but the lighter bullet has a significantly higher SD?
 
This short article from New Hampshire Fish and Game pretty much says it all:
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/moose-game-care.html#firearm
Basically, use a 270 Win with a good 150gr bullet (like Nosler Partition) or anything better like a 30-60 with a 180gr bullet.
The idea is that you might have to take a 200 yard quartering away shot where anything lesser simply won't cut it.

(Interesting historical note, 303 British, 8mm Mauser, 30-06 were developed by World Powers which required their infantry to be able to stop a cavalry charge which 6.5 Swedish and some other smaller cartridges did not require it - think 6mm Lee Navy)
 
While I shoot a magnum, I always advocate that you get a calibre that you can shoot well which for means shooting lots. Too many fellows I know put like 10 rds or less through their heavy magnums to sight in and think they can drop a moose comfortably at longer ranges because the cartridge is capable although they won't ever admit that they aren't. That being said I don't think it is too smart to get a marginal calibre to shoot a moose with and only shoot a few rounds through it a year as well. I would recommend that you get something you can afford to shoot well and worry less about calibre. Shot placement is more important than the size of the bullet in most cases.
 
finstr said:
Consider this if you will.
You've been hunting hard in some really crummy weather for a solid week. The hunt is winding down and you haven't seen a moose at all. Then on the last day the bull moose you've only dreamt about steps into view and hangs up at 300ish yards. You've only got a small amount of time to make the shot or risk going home to an empty freezer.
This scenario is why I always tend to go over gunned. Can I kill a moose at 100yds with a 243? Yes. But a 30cal magnum or larger just saved you from certain failure in this instance. The moose won't complain if you kill it a 50yds with the same gun.
I look at it as cheap insurance.
Ymmv
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Or....... Consider this.
The guy with the 243 makes a quick perfect shot because he is familiar with the rifle and not scared of the recoil vs the guy flubbing a shot with his shiny new 300 Whiz Bang because he is scared of it. Just playing the other side for arguments sake...

Bullet placement will always trump cartridge size. I take exception to your idea that the 243 means "certain failure" in this scenario, as well as the idea that the magnum means certain success.
 
While i commented on taking Moose in the 243 thread, that is what we had. If I was actually purchasing specifically for Moose》》》it would start at .284 through .338.

Specific cartridges would depend on OP's recoil tolerance and whether they reload.

Lots of small caliber for large animal threads go as such. Small caliber is unethical ....ya butt...it's bullet placement.

Personally I would say something similar for .338. It's too much recoil and will ruin meat....ya butt...use a recoil reducing "sled" at the range, it's bullet placement, if you shoot it in the azz it's hamburger with a 243 as well. I have never felt recoil when shooting at an animal.
 
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