Moose Gun

What I like about a big chunk of slower moving lead is a faster kill and less meat damage. But they're no deader killed with a 243 or a 397 WhizzBang UltraSuperLong Magnum.
 
CZ_Brno said:
And before that scores of them were killed with the .44 WCF (44-40)
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My wife's uncle killed dozens of moose with a .22 - mind you they were caught in snares at the time. It was not really poaching - he was doing it to feed his family at the time, and never wasted an ounce of meat.
 
I have killed moose with 30/30, 308, 300 wsm and 338 wm. Most were taken with 308, but the 338 with 250 grain bullets drops them with authority.

Never used a 270 or 30-06, too boring. cou:
 
GOUMFACH said:
The oldest bugger in our hunting group knocked down a big ol' moose last fall with his 303. Moose took about 10 steps before tipping over. Turned most of the insides to soup. I was thoroughly impressed.
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My first few moose went to moose heaven via my old .303 British. They didn't go far either, 15-30 yards generally. Same experience with my .308 at 300yards. Double lung/heart and it was again about 20 yards. Same with the 30-06 and 300 WSM. I haven't personally seen a huge difference in the effectiveness of the various calibers but then again all these shots were made inside +/- 300 yards. There would no doubt be a difference if you pushed out farther.

If you're looking to harvest any moose within a 2.5 mile radius just order up one of our Cadex Shadow in 408 Cheytac :sniper: :p

Gerhard W.
Inside Sales
 
Cleftwynd said:
I shot 5 or 6 moose back in the 80's with an older Mauser in 8x57, worked as well as an -06 or well, anything I guess.
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So did I, only in the 1960s and 70s and with the same conclusion as you.
As a matter of fact I would have no problem taking my old 8x57 out for Moose today in spite of having bigger and faster rifles at hand...
 
IMO depends on if one is an avid shooter with lots of practice year round or just an average joe using his rifle in hunting season only. Heart/lung shot or average shooter.

I have seen moose going miles with multiple shot wounds just not in the exact right place. I think that for moose the impact of the bullet is very important as the damage made by it, will give you time for a follow up shot while it's recovering from the impact.

So with common calibers 30-06 in 180gr. would be a very good start. Started hunting moose with an 8mm mauser that was given down to me and then moved on to 300WSM wish i like very much.

Just think that 270 is a little bit on the shallow side for moose, .300 way better. 270 is good caliber for deer in 140gr. tought.
 
Kevan said:
So did I, only in the 1960s and 70s and with the same conclusion as you.
As a matter of fact I would have no problem taking my old 8x57 out for Moose today in spite of having bigger and faster rifles at hand...
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Using European level loads, right?
 
Yes i know, usually end up cleaning the mess of others. Just have to remember that your average joe who shoots a bullet or two a year or sees a moose in his scope for the first time will probably mess up the first shot.
 
brannvan said:
I'm looking to get a moose gun,what caliber is the best for knockdown power?
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Back to the original inquiry. Nearly everybody is mentioning calibres that can or have taken moose. This isn't what the OP asked. Obviously the largest calibre a person can shoot effectively should have the greatest "knock down power". For years I shot .270 Win. and got moose. In later years I tried the .338 Win Mag. and it immediately proved to put the animals down harder. With out having used one I believe the .375 H & H would be even better. Whether the OP can handle something of this power or not is something only he can answer.

A lot depends on the type of area being hunted and what the shooting ranges are going to be. These days I hunt areas involving much longer ranges than I did when I first started out.

Jim
 
Kevan said:
Yes, and then some, I'll not post the load I'm currently using, suffice to say its fast and hits hard.
In fact it shoots so well it made my 338s redundant...
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Oh I know the 8x57's potential is far above what we usually see here. I've used it on big boar in Hungary. Those animals are no joke, especially if they've caked themselves with mud.
 
1899 said:
Oh I know the 8x57's potential is far above what we usually see here. I've used it on big boar in Hungary. Those animals are no joke, especially if they've caked themselves with mud.
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That seems to be the case with several European cartridges - the 6.5 punches way above its weight, from what I've read, the 7X57 is no slouch, the older 9.3's, the venerable old 303 has quite a cv. When it comes to cartridges, there doesn't seem to have been huge advances made in the last 100-125 years. The belted mags, short mags, etc., were more incremental upgrades that radical departures, if you compare the huge leap from BP cartridges to those mentioned vs the oldies to modern whizz-bangs. Come to think of it, other than the AR platform, even in terms of firearms design there hasn't been a whole lot to write home about. Bolt guns are still bolt guns, pumps, levers, doubles are not hugely better than they were, revolvers and semi-auto's are no better than the old guns - as a matter of fact, the 1911 and Colt SAA have never been surpassed.
 
Is the 30-06 not just a 30 cal 8x57 ripoff? The Europeans invented most of the good stuff 100 years ago I guess.

I have heard it said that the 8x57 does better than the '06 with 200+ grain bullets. Any of you guys agree/disagree? Wondering how it does compared to a Whelen with 225 grainers...

Would be interesting from a modern zastava or tikka battue.
 
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