First Moose Hunting Rifle Help

Thanks, yeah no worries. M14 seems to have a sweet spot for loads around the 150-165 range.

Thankfully I'm in no hurry right now, still need confirmation from the hunt organizer that it's a go, I can't see it not working out but I'm not going to drop any $$$ until confirmation comes through. I think the decision is really between using the M14 and getting a dedicated hunting rifle. The M14 was a project pickup so maybe I'll just bump that plan up as well. A big game rifle was slated for purchase anyways, it's just a matter of bumping it up on the procurement priority list. I'd have fun with it at the range as well as I don't have anything for reaching out on the long shots. A 700 or a T3 would give me that option.

The Ar15 pickup was more to get it in the safe before Trudeau pulls any changes...I would be kicking myself the rest of my days if it went prohibited and I didn't get in on the grandfathering....as unlikely as I feel this situation is, you never know with a majority liberal rule.
 
Your M14 will certainly do the job...even better with a scope on it. Alternatively, buy a quality bolt gun...308, 30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag and you'll be set for life for hunting the animals you listed.
 
Whatever you choose use a good bullet something like a gmx, ttsx, accubons, interbond, or partition. Yes it may be a bit costly but it will be the cheapest part of said hunt.

Personally I would go with a quality bolt action in 30-06 (this is what I did) work up a load with above mentioned bullets for the hunt and use something a bit cheaper to practice with throughout the year (again this is what I do). Seems logical lol.
 
I may be a voice in the wilderness but the M14 is not a hunting rifle from the standpoint of weight, balance and ergonomics. A sporting rifle in any decent chambering is far superior to a service rifle for hunting. That is why so many have been "sporterized" in the last 100 years.
 
30-06 is a great all around rifle for big game. Any of the 30 cals for the most part will work great. 308 if your shots are under 300 yrds, 30-06 out to 500, and the magnums/rum only if you plan to shoot long range beyond that.
 
Mike Webb said:
I may be a voice in the wilderness but the M14 is not a hunting rifle from the standpoint of weight, balance and ergonomics. A sporting rifle in any decent chambering is far superior to a service rifle for hunting. That is why so many have been "sporterized" in the last 100 years.
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I bought a Norc M14 several years ago with the thought I would use it for hunting. I took it to the range once and sold it right away for the very reasons you cite. I was never going to hunt that rifle, ever!

There are many/much better sporting rifles out there in 308.
 
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the mosin. If your out in the woods and you need a rifle that don't mind taking a lick, will always function, is cheap, and will drop anything on the planet, look no further, unless you prefer the more modern stuff. The old mosin is all I've ever used, they haven't let me down yet. Good luck, and remember, you can't call a bullet back so be sure of whats up yonder. Cheers.
 
cody182005 said:
30-06 is a great all around rifle for big game. Any of the 30 cals for the most part will work great. 308 if your shots are under 300 yrds, 30-06 out to 500, and the magnums/rum only if you plan to shoot long range beyond that.
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Well stated cody182005. The only change I would make is 30-06 on anything from zero to 500 yards, then 300 Win Mag beyond 500 up to 1000 yards with the right load of course. :rockOn:
 
cainesy said:
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the mosin.
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The Mosin, like the SMLE is a good military rifle, but they do not lend them selves readily for sporting use with scopes. There are a lot better choices out there now, esp with all the decent cheapo entry level rifles flooding the market.
 
M14 is doable. It's heavy and the scope mount could be an issue in that some mounts will actually cause jams. Casings will get stuck in between the action and the mount (I had that problem anyway). And, if its a Norinco knock off, they are not all that accurate unless you've done a whole bunch of mods...

I'd go with a .308 or 30-06, leaning toward 30-06.
 
I've hunted moose with a peep sighted lever action for years. If you can hit what you aim at with the M14 it would be a great choice to 200 paces, longer with a firm rest. If you skip the scope weight is less of an issue and there are some real bragging rights involved.
 
Burris C4 3x9 scope Remington 783 7mm Rem Mag = 639$plus what ever tax
Good for anything in North America
 
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