Moose caliber help

Bushbasher

Bushbasher

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Silly question I have a 7 mm rem mag bolt 30-06 bolt and a270 bolt
I shoot them all equally well and they’re all scoped
What would be my best cartridge and bullet weight for moose hunting I have never shot a moose but have hunted them lots I hunt cuts and some swamps but brushy spots too
Most times I use a 175 grain 7 mm mag core Lokt but just wondering what else would be good for moose
 
Any of the three will suffice. Have seen moose shot with 308win (165gr sst) and a 260 rem (140gr accubond) and both were able to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Hard to argue with 30-06 with 160-180gr pill.
 
This was a ways back close to 40 years ago...my Dad whacked a moose at maybe 150-200 yards with his Springfield 30-06 with a custom reload at 180g round. Unknow the type of powder or how much was used or the twist on the rifle barrel. Moose went down in one round. With todays upgrades in technologies in Ballistics i am sure it would be different.
 
I took a young bull moose last season @ 105 yds with a 154 gr SST from my 7mm Rem Mag. It walked about 20yards and fell.
+1 for 7mm but the choice is yours
 
Bushbasher You didn't mention if you were shooting factory ammunition or if you reload. Your 7mm Rem with 175 gr bullets would be a very good choice. However I would bet that rifle has a 24 inch long barrel or maybe even longer. You say you are hunting in bush and longer barreled guns are not that handy in thick bush.Likely Your 30-06 likely has a 22 in barrel,overall length will be a little shorter and likely handier in the bush. If you are shooting factory ammo any 180 gr load that groups well in YOUR rifle would be good. I handload and have found the 200 gr Speer bullet loaded in the 30-06 is very effective on moose. Shoots almost as flat as a 180 gr and penetrates better. You don't always get that perfect broadside shot that exposes the lungs. Sometimes they are quartering towards you and you have to put a shot on that front shoulder. A heavier bullet with more penetration will be your friend.
 
Either the 30-06 with 180 Nosler Partitions or the 7 mm RM with 175 grain Nosler Partitions.
Since some one suggested Barnes be aware the solid copper bullet is longer in the same weight and your rifle may not like them in that weight.
My suggestion for the Barnes would be 165 for the 30-06 and 160 for the 7 mm.
If you are a hand loader you still have time to do your research and practise.
If you are buying factory it will still be the better investment to buy premium bullets.
 
I dunno just want to make sure if I do get a chance at a moose I have a clean kill and th animal doesn’t suffer etc
Shot lots of deer and they were all one shot stops
 
I use 30-06 for all my moose (10?) all with federal nosler partitions 180 grain and the 165 grain. This year ill be using 7mm rem mag with federal 160 grain nosler partitions. 175 grain nosler partition for 7mm rem mag I believe is only for handloaders I cant find factory ammo in that weight other than buffalo bore. But just like everyone says out of the 3 calibers it doesnt matter as long as you hit em right, your 7mm rem mag would have the farthest reach out of all of them
 
Bushbasher said:
I dunno just want to make sure if I do get a chance at a moose I have a clean kill and th animal doesn’t suffer etc
Shot lots of deer and they were all one shot stops
Click to expand...

Shot placement trumps caliber choice, especially since all of yours are up to the task.
I have a moose hunt coming up next month and will be using a .270 Win with Federal Premium 150gr Nosler Partitions.
 
If you can shoot all three equally well, and all three will work well for moose - then I would go for whichever of the three handles the best offhand (balance, weight). I've had rifles that shot exceptionally well on the bench that I could not shoot as well offhand unsupported. I would pick the one I could shoot the best from different positions, that maybe was less weight to carry or handled better with cold muscles and numb fingers.
 
How far will your shots be on average? Around here old timers hunt moose with 30-30s, I haven't met a local hunter who's taken a moose at more than 150 yards. Lots of brush, very few large open spaces so the slower moving heavy cals do fine here. Depends a bit on your terrain. If I was taking a moose at closer ranges, I'd use a 30-06 with a heavy bullet moving a little slower. At longer ranges I might choose your 7mm with a faster bullet. Up to you, sounds like any of the guns you have will do fine.
 
All three will work, but I'd pick the one with the heaviest bullet. I like to get complete, side-to-side penetration but with good expansion on the way.
 
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