Moose Bullet Selection
- Thread starter Bird Blaster
- Start date
No experience with the federal fusion so I can't comment there. But I would suggest that the partition or bonded will work across a better velocity/distance range than a mono. Accubond, interbond, partition or possibly a Fusion, those would be my choices.
- Location
- Calgary AB
I shoot Speer 200gr SP out of my .30-06 at chrony avg. 2653 fps (3,118 ft.lbs)
Sighted in at 200yds so at 100yds+2.1 200yds+0.0 250yds -3.4 300yds -8.4
Energy at muzzle 3118 100yds 2757 200yds 2429 250yds 2277 300yds 2133
My load data (safe in my rifle only):
RL22 58.0grs
Nosler case
Fed 210 primer
Winchester M70 Supergrade .30-06 24" bbl with Leupold VX3 1.75-6x32mm
This is the only rifle/load I use for anything from antelope to elk/moose.
My one gun solution.
Sighted in at 200yds so at 100yds+2.1 200yds+0.0 250yds -3.4 300yds -8.4
Energy at muzzle 3118 100yds 2757 200yds 2429 250yds 2277 300yds 2133
My load data (safe in my rifle only):
RL22 58.0grs
Nosler case
Fed 210 primer
Winchester M70 Supergrade .30-06 24" bbl with Leupold VX3 1.75-6x32mm
This is the only rifle/load I use for anything from antelope to elk/moose.
My one gun solution.
I've only ever shot a coyote with a 75 gr amax and while effective on such a light critter the fragmenting I seen would turn me off of them for a hunting application. Every moose,deer, elk and bear I've taken has been with a 140-180 gr plain old c&c. So far have had great success. I'd think most any decent hunting bullet will do the job provided you do yours. Both moose I've taken have been with 150gr Winchester PP's over a moderate load of h4895. Still using up a bulk bag of components and powder purchased many moons ago by father. Knocked over most everything in bc with the exception of sheep and grizzly with great effect.
Sometimes only a Texas heart shot will do I guess?I use hornady interlock, plain old cup and core bullets for moose....they work just fine!
If you need 40" of penetration to kill a moose, you need to rethink your hunting methods.
I know I'm late to the party here, but I swear there was a thread in the last year or 2 that showed a boat full of 1st Nations shooting several moose while in a boat with a motor, and actually driving right beside them, shooting 3 or 4 of them. Didn't know that was a law though, good to know.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Federal Fusion 30-06, 150 grain. Simple and reliable.
I seem to recall that the Fusions were the first of the bonded bullets, predating all the other now-better-known designs. They have always been terrific performers for me, in a number of different chamberings.
With all the excellent hunting bullets available today, from premium-grade high-tech designs all the way down to basic-but-dependable cup-and-core styles, I am forced to wonder why anyone would feel the need to "try" a paper-punching bullet on any game animal (not referring to the OP here). When even the manufacturer discourages its customers from using the bullets for hunting, what is the rationalization behind this?
With all the excellent hunting bullets available today, from premium-grade high-tech designs all the way down to basic-but-dependable cup-and-core styles, I am forced to wonder why anyone would feel the need to "try" a paper-punching bullet on any game animal (not referring to the OP here). When even the manufacturer discourages its customers from using the bullets for hunting, what is the rationalization behind this?
Berger started it, they claimed, and still claim that the light construction along with the sleek shape will get inside the animal and then dump all its energy with a massive temporary wound channel and destructive hydrostatic shock. What they don't say is that they can also explode on the outside.
Thanks for pointing that out; I'm actually familiar with the Berger "delayed expansion" spiel, although I have no personal experience with their magical wonder-bullets. However, that's not really relevant to the question that I was asking. Berger, truthfully or not, claims that their bullets deliver acceptable...no, superior...performance on game animals. They are marketing their product to the hunter, so it's certainly understandable if a hunter buys into their claims and then uses the bullets on game, regardless of results.
I'm referring to folks who use bullets on game when they know full well that the manufacturers themselves recommend against it. Since you responded to my post, I'll quote you from earlier in this thread:
That's the stuff I'm questioning. For a manufacturer to alienate a large percentage of the market by admitting that a particular product is not suitable for hunting would be idiotic, unless they knew that the thing just wouldn't work. Since the vast majority of the bullets on the shelves in stores are designed for and marketed to hunters...i.e. it certainly isn't difficult to find suitable bullets...why go out of your way to use something that even the makers themselves tell you isn't a good choice? Chevrolet doesn't market the Corvette to farmers as a work vehicle...do you buy one and use it to haul haybales just to prove them wrong?
Take a venture into the LR game and you'll understand.
For me it was hunting in areas where many different factors can spoil an opportunity for trophy animals unless you can get a long range game going. The appeal of very high BC bullets is the main draw. Another benefit is that match bullets whether the manufacturer says so or not, will expand and cause a decent wound channel well below the speeds of heavily constructed hunting bullets. LR requires a lot of dedication and even more trigger time so the price of match bullets is attractive. Match bullets are also much more consistent accuracy wise. My longest kill was a ranged 980y on a 30" wide mule deer...with a berger bullet.
I can with all honesty say I've never lost an animal because I botched an LR shot. But the process has taught me a lot, I always used bullets that I felt would kill just out of sheer mass and energy. And I was right...but experienced some close range overkills. 2" entrance holes with grapefruit sized exits...almost split a whitetail in half once. Then the one that didn't break skin ended it. I then went the other way, I could get good consistency from monos but I hit a few animals at 400-500y that penciled holed and they had to tracked and finished so I gave up on them. I now use cup and core, interlock, partition, bonded. I use the partition, bonded for larger animals where long range isn't really an issue and close high velocity impacts are to be expected. Cup and core or interlock for where there's potential for LR on sheep, deer size game. My personal range limit has shrunk back to about 600y now. Because of accuracy limits imposed by the bullets I use and the lighter style of rifles and chamberings I've been shooting them out of.
Hope that clears it up for you....and sorry for the sidetrack.
Oh and match bullets are awesome varmint bullets....I don't care what anyone says.
For me it was hunting in areas where many different factors can spoil an opportunity for trophy animals unless you can get a long range game going. The appeal of very high BC bullets is the main draw. Another benefit is that match bullets whether the manufacturer says so or not, will expand and cause a decent wound channel well below the speeds of heavily constructed hunting bullets. LR requires a lot of dedication and even more trigger time so the price of match bullets is attractive. Match bullets are also much more consistent accuracy wise. My longest kill was a ranged 980y on a 30" wide mule deer...with a berger bullet.
I can with all honesty say I've never lost an animal because I botched an LR shot. But the process has taught me a lot, I always used bullets that I felt would kill just out of sheer mass and energy. And I was right...but experienced some close range overkills. 2" entrance holes with grapefruit sized exits...almost split a whitetail in half once. Then the one that didn't break skin ended it. I then went the other way, I could get good consistency from monos but I hit a few animals at 400-500y that penciled holed and they had to tracked and finished so I gave up on them. I now use cup and core, interlock, partition, bonded. I use the partition, bonded for larger animals where long range isn't really an issue and close high velocity impacts are to be expected. Cup and core or interlock for where there's potential for LR on sheep, deer size game. My personal range limit has shrunk back to about 600y now. Because of accuracy limits imposed by the bullets I use and the lighter style of rifles and chamberings I've been shooting them out of.
Hope that clears it up for you....and sorry for the sidetrack.
Oh and match bullets are awesome varmint bullets....I don't care what anyone says.
Last edited:
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?
I suppose they do yeah. LR hunting tech is pretty new and bullet choices aren't there yet. Nosler has the LRAB, Hornady has the eld-x. in very few caliber, weight options. One day I'd like to see the partition made in a long sleek boat tail. That would pretty much cover all bases for me.
I change my plan
I was going to hunt with my mosin with 7.62 x 54R MFS 203gr but instead I am going to use
Sellier&Bellot 8x57JS SPCE as this is the most amazing bullet that I have had the privilege to shoot from my russian capture k98. It' makes my gun it a laser gun. Couldn't believe how nice it was to shoot.
Thinking of investing in a broad selection of Sellier&Bellot for all my hunting needs 39mm and 54r for a fair selection and ability to take anything out of my cabinet for hunting preference.
I was going to hunt with my mosin with 7.62 x 54R MFS 203gr but instead I am going to use
Sellier&Bellot 8x57JS SPCE as this is the most amazing bullet that I have had the privilege to shoot from my russian capture k98. It' makes my gun it a laser gun. Couldn't believe how nice it was to shoot.
Thinking of investing in a broad selection of Sellier&Bellot for all my hunting needs 39mm and 54r for a fair selection and ability to take anything out of my cabinet for hunting preference.
Mr. Goat - You had better go back and re-read the Ontario game regulations regarding shooting from a boat. What you propose (or do) is illegal. I know it is common practice by some but it is still illegal.
If you have a powered boat pulled up on the beach and you sit on the bow with your feet on the ground and shoot from there you are breaking the law. Screwy I know but still contrary to the regulations.
Jim
I don't know what the situation is in other provinces but a close friend several years ago was complaining to a CO about certain infractions he had seen committed by Indians from a reservation near his cottage. The CO kept trying to tell him that what the Indians were doing was "okay". After being pushed quite hard the CO admitted that short of receiving direction from either a Minister or Deputy Minister of the government they were under strict orders to leave the Indians alone. It is for reasons like this that Indians for the most part are held in low regard by others. (I think that is as politically correct a way of giving my opinion without the site monitors shutting me down.)
Jim
