Moose Gun

Used a 30-06 on my moose hunt... From the time I pulled the trigger to the time he flopped over was about 30 seconds. Of course, I may have got a little excited and gave him 3 shots through the lungs... The guide got quite a tickle out of only two entry holes about two inches apart, and three exit holes on the other side
 
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.
 
steve-o1979 said:
Used a 30-06 on my moose hunt... From the time I pulled the trigger to the time he flopped over was about 30 seconds. Of course, I may have got a little excited and gave him 3 shots through the lungs... The guide got quite a tickle out of only two entry holes about two inches apart, and three exit holes on the other side
Click to expand...
I did the same thing with a 375Magnum. The next moose only got one shot as I knew better.

OP seems to want a gun with lots of "knock down". Unless a moose is hit in the spinal column or neck, they don't get "knocked down" no matter what you shoot them with.
 
SuperCub said:
I did the same thing with a 375Magnum. The next moose only got one shot as I knew better.

OP seems to want a gun with lots of "knock down". Unless a moose is hit in the spinal column or neck, they don't get "knocked down" no matter what you shoot them with.
Click to expand...

To the Op, some of us have been toying with you when it comes to knock down power, but for the most part there has been lots of good recommendations.
The best overall average caliber would be a 30:06 followed by a 300 Winmag .
They will get the job done , the real work will begin shortly there after.

Super Cub, I have seen a picture or two from the Pink Mountain area where there is a guy standing right next to his moose and it has a very nice hat rack too.
The moose is standing there like he s frozen...and he was Dead on his feet.
A Texas Heart shot in the spinal column had him locked solid.

This pic was posted on a local gun stores wall of fame.

Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Well placed shot is 1st order. I used a 25-06 with 120 gr pills, did not act like it was hit, a few more and it ran, staggered and fell. Same with a 308 and 165s, 5 shots in about 2 in group. Again it was dead with first shot just did not know it. Use a good bullet, I shot a cow at about 50yds with a 200 Sieara BT from a 300 wm. Moose fell over and while I was patting myself on the back it got up and ran into some heavy burn. Hard tracking and removal, the jacket and core separated. 300wm is my fave but if 200 or less any mid cal will do IF : bullet placement is right and a good bullet is used. Why risk a good hunt on a cheep bullet or one with just marginal energy?
 
My last moose was shot with a 150 grain Rem Cor-loct, it was all i could get my hands on all the Fed brass Nosler bullet rounds, and nosler loads had been picked over. Needless to say it dropped about 15-20 feet away from where it was shot. When we split it open the lungs were a missing (mostly). Shot placement is king.
 
340 WBY

In all seriousness I have killed moose with everything from a 243 to a 7mmSTW to a 44 rem mag. They die quite easily. Just know your rifle and you own limitations at the ranges you make the shot.
 
brannvan said:
I'm looking to get a moose gun,what caliber is the best for knockdown power?
Click to expand...

You might as well be asking 'how long is a piece of string'.

Factors to consider: what are the legal requirements are in your area; availability and price of factory ammunition (if you're not reloading); availability and price of rifles chambered for the cartridge(s) you are considering; the terrain in which you are going to be hunting; the distances at which you are likely to be shooting, etc. Most big game cartridges are going to be able to do the job, all things being relative, but there may be small nuances (clarified by factors like these) which will tip you in the direction of once choice or another.
 
Currently I don't hunt moose but this year maybe a first. I'd rather hunt bear myself but I have an extra week vacation this year. My guns of choice will be a 45/70 and a 458 wm. The area is thick and of all the moose I've seen there with the exception of two standing in the water down river were all under 75 yards. The 2 in the river I'm sure I could have snuck up closer to easily. That said if I get a good tax return ill get a 35 Whelen or 338 fed for a moose gun. 210-225 gr nosler partitions in 338 or 358 will be medicine. I'll prolly Still use my 458 wm though. I just love it
 
.50 cal, no wait .75. Well, 20mm is even better. I'd draw the line at 88mm for shoulder-fired. That would be the best for knockdown power.
 
Sure lot's of great recommendations you're making there guys. Basically anything in the 30-06 class is ideal, but lately I sure see a lot of people using 7mm and 300 magnums.

As far as I'm personally concerned any of my selection of rifles from 6.5x55 to .375 (and 45-70) all work well. Know one fellow from Newfoundland who said he shot 20 moose with a .243

Mmmmmm... swamp donkey stew.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom