First Moose Hunt: Any recommendations for .308 cartridges?

Your federals will do just fine. As will powerpoints , corelokts and a host of other cup and cores. I’ve seen way to many moose and elk shot with cup and core to say they don’t work. BUT fwiw tougher bullets will be your friend on less than ideal shot angles. Just stick with the 180s in the 308 for moose. Good luck on the hunt and have fun.
 
Nosler Partitions in 165 -200 gr, handloads of course but recently some manufacturers are loading factory Nosler bullets.
Been killing Moose for me in NB and NL for over 50 years, one shot of course.
It's expensive to send the very best but you only need one bullet per moose.
Lost
 
I’m in the same situation hunting moose for the first time and using a 308
The local Sail had Barnes Vor-Tx 168gr with TTSX bullets that I got
Curious to know what people think about it
 
mardig88 said:
I’m in the same situation hunting moose for the first time and using a 308
The local Sail had Barnes Vor-Tx 168gr with TTSX bullets that I got
Curious to know what people think about it
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One of the best hunting bullet on the market for larger critters, if it shoots well in your rifle
 
It depends on what your goal is. Do you just want to put it down or do you want the least amount of meat damage possible? If you get a perfect shot in the boiler room it doesn't matter much. However if you hit the shoulder or spine a premium bullet will cause the least amount of meat damage. I prefer a nosler accubond, partition, or something similar. Someone mentioned the remington core lokt. For lessor cost ammo I have had pretty good luck with core lokt. 165 grain is ideal & 180 grain is good as well. Nothing wrong with a good quality 150 grain either. Best of luck & straight shooting!!!!!!!!
 
I like a well constructed bullet when it comes to big animals. The Federal 180 grain Fusion is a very good bullet and priced well below it's quality.
If it shoots in your rifle. If funds are in short supply and you have had good results with Power Point, then a well placed bullet will do the job.
Good Luck.
My first moose blew my mind.....They are so big!
 
I too use premium bullets more often than cup and core bullets today, but also have had great success on moose over the years from various cartridges using regular cup and core bullets such as the Powershock, Power Points and Speer Hot Cor bullets, including the 180 grain in the 308 Win.
Bullet placement is key. Moose are not overly tough to kill. The double lung shot will result in shorter follow ups if they do not drop at the shot. Heart shots normally result in the "death run" as the injury to the heart normally causes a release of endorphins into the animal's system. And as mentioned, if you place your bullet well, you can wait a few minutes before following up and will not push them further into the nasty stuff! (My grandfather would sit down and have a smoke before following up). And do not shoot them while they are in the water, unless you are prepared to field dress them while in the water!
Animals are like people, and you will find some that have tougher constitutions than others, that should be harvested cleanly from a well placed first shot, that just do not want to give up the ghost and take more shots to finish. A bull that is all rutted up will also have that adrenaline going and may take more hits to get to drop than another that is unaware or unalarmed that is feeding quietly when you shoot it.
Shoot the ammo that is most accurate in your rifle. Practice with it from various field positions and go forth in confidence!
Hope you have a great adventure!
 
Barnes TTSX, 168gr shoots accurately out of every 308 I own. My savage rifles couldn't hit a dinner plate at 100 yards with corelokt 150 or 180. Barnes repeatedly hit a toony with a cheap 200$ rifle.

Also, there's something to be said for mono metal rounds.
I have kids and enjoy knowing there's no lead in their meat.

You can safely go down in grain when using all copper bullets, and still have a massive exit wound.

Just my .02$.
 
Forgot to mention though, you don't want to shoot a Barnes TTSX 168 grain 308 beyond 400 yards, as it will likely not expand very much. 150 gr is good to 450 yards.

They require north of 1800 fps for expansion.
 
jmichelin84 said:
I rather the Winchester power points because honestly the Remington and the Federal I had one board of each it literally bounce off the moose's skin
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So everyone is going to ignore this?
I won't deny the 180 grain power point is a favorite for the budget big game .30 cal bullets but unless there is something catastrophically wrong with your ammunition there is no way a factory load will, "literally bounce off a moose's skin." Perhaps fail to expand at extreme ranges or over expand and lack penetration but I'd believe shots didn't hit the intended mark first.

I lean towards the ammo is the cheapest part of any hunt that goes beyond where you can walk to out your door. However accuracy and confidence will trump a premium projectile that doesn't shoot well. No reason not to try a premium load or two that intrigues you.
 
I'm out of .308Win but when I used it I reloaded with Hornaday 165gr. Interlock and would have been confident using that on moose at ranges within my ability. For off the shelf cartridges, I'd prefer Federal's (or anyone's) 180 to their 150 for anything big, e.g. moose, though I'm sure a 150 in the vitals will kill it.
 
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Kenny_G2 said:
I once lost a big bull moose that took 3 bullets in the chest from a 308 with 180 gr Winchesters at 150-200 yards. Up to that point all the moose I shot with those bullets died like they were suppose to, I imagine bullet placement was a bit off on the one I lost, probably hit the shoulder blade with the first broadside shot, the 2nd and 3rd were as he was running away, quartering shots. Once I looked at the ballistics for that round I realized there were better choices. I went to a better Winchester load that fired well in my gun and eventually I started reloading.

Federal 180's will work, however there are better choices in my eyes. Even Rem Corelokts are better imho. When I shot factory ammo I would practice with cheaper rounds (Remington Eagles) then I sighted in with premium rounds for the hunt.
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My buddy shot a moose in the boiler room 3 times with a .303 180 grain core lokt. They never found it until 2 months later. Easily traveled 300 yards with no distinguishable blood trail. Freak things happen for sure.
 
I have used 150gr for moose, caribou and black bear. *Typically* the ranges I shoot are all less than 200m given the terrain I hunt.
Ranges over that I would recommend 165 & 180's as they have better BC's (resistance to wind) over longer ranges.
Shot placement is critical at all ranges and if you do your part the bullet will take the animal easily. That being said, regardless of the bullet weight I would be leery to shoot big game past 500m with a .308 to make sure there is enough energy left for the bullet to do its job at that distance.

Now if you were get into reloading you will have many more options / benefits over commercially produced ammo.
 
I shot a bull in NFLD at 290 yards with a .308 and 165gr Interbonds, but I'm sure that an Interlock would have worked fine. Shoot them in the lungs.
 
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