First Moose Hunting Rifle Help

Good bolt action rifles in 30-06 / 308 come up on the EE all the time. You have time on your side, just watch the EE for a deal. Parker Hale, BSA, Husqvarna, Ruger and more are all good value. Expect to spend around 400-450 without a scope.

Heck, a decent Enfield sporter in 303 brit can be had for around $250 with a scope base. Lots of moose have fallen to the 303 over the years. The current world record for moose was taken with a 303 with open sights, even.

That said, your M14 will work, but it won't be as accurate, and it will be heavy to lug around.
 
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Go with the M-14 or get a Weatherby Vanguard...if that doesn't fit right try the Ruger American in stainless...there are several good shooting rifles at very reasonable money these days.
I got my son a Ruger Compact stainless in 7mm-08 for Christmas last year, about $500, and did a bit of light sanding-polishing of the bolt and it's path in the action...it's smooth as silk now and shoots 3/4" groups at 100 yards with Nosler 140 grain Accubonds. If you buy a rifle for hunting get it in .308, like your M-14, and try it with 165 grain Accubonds or Barnes ttsx. It'd be sweet if both your rifles liked one of those excellent hunting rounds! If you're going to be hunting where you might have shots much over 100 yards then bring your scoped hunting rifle, and make sure you get a decent scope like a Bushnell Elite 3-9X40 or 4-12X40, Leupold VX-3, or the equivalent. A good clear bright scope makes a world of difference when there's some brush in front of your animal and/or it's raining or snowing a bit.
One other option, if you like the classics, you can get a Husqvarna in good condition for about $400, and glass bed it in it's original stock...mine shots in the same hole at 100 yards with a bit of clover-leafing.
 
You can't go wrong with a bolt action rifle with a good quality scope(depends on your budget level) in 30-06. I hunted deer with my M1 Garand one season, I loved the peep sights and balance of it. I missed out on a wall hanger b/c I couldn't see through my sights in low light conditions, and that was the end of irons for me...
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys, after lots of thought I think I'm going to stick with my m14 for this year. I did some shooting with it this past weekend and it felt good. I'm going to get a mount for the scope that I currently have and run some ammo through it to get an idea on it's accuracy and what it likes to eat. I'll come back if things change! Thanks!
 
sphen said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys, after lots of thought I think I'm going to stick with my m14 for this year. I did some shooting with it this past weekend and it felt good. I'm going to get a mount for the scope that I currently have and run some ammo through it to get an idea on it's accuracy and what it likes to eat. I'll come back if things change! Thanks!
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No worries.... Glad you are practicing......
 
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