Moose hunting rifle recommendations

LarryG said:
30-30 will do fine. Range is 100 yards or a bit more. That's all they used to use. It was cutting edge stuff. Nowadays the bullets have only gotten better. After that 7-08, 308 30-06 will do too.

I never shot a moose mind you, but have read thousands of these threads ;).
Just learn how to shoot and where/when to shoot and don't get a hard kicking gun that gets you flinching. You don't need a big magnum to do the job, that's for sure.
For my whitetail deer and bear kills out to 250 yards, the 7-08 has been flawless . And I've never flinched a shot with it. Generally one shot in the lungs and wait a few seconds for it to fall over. Oh, and get some practice on small game like gophers. If you can one shot kill a gopher at 75 yards, killing a moose at any sane distance is a much easier shot.

I suggest you find a detachable box mag rifle that fits you and has a nice recoil pad, and weighs 8 lb max scoped.
Go to you local gun store and try them for fit.everyone has their favorite. I like the old browning abolt, preferably the micro. And the remington 7600 carbine. But there are lots of other choices just as good.
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I would say that the 30-30 is somewhat underpowered for moose, and certainly far from ideal. That being said, 338 Win Mag has very stout recoil, to say the least. A 30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag. with a proper bullet, such as a Nosler Partition, will do the job on moose.
 
It doesn't really matter. Any big game rifle bigger than 243 winchester will down a moose with appropriate bullets. 338wm is more than capable, but really it all comes down to what you shoot good. I'd rather a 270 I can shoot good than a big magnum I can't.
 
Looks for the rifle that you like first, then sort out the cartridge. If you don't reload I'd suggest 270, 7mm Rem Mag, or 30-06.
 
When I lived in Southern AB I had a .338 for elk hunting. I live in Northern BC now and I just bought a 270 for moose and elk. Honestly I haven't gotten a moose yet so take this for what it's worth. While hunting here I have actually never encountered a moose further than 30 yards that wasn't in a spotting scope, a small sample size for sure though. I suppose depending on the part of BC you live in this could vary.

Judging by the ranges in August in the peace region 300wm, 30-06, .308 7mm and 303 seem popular.
 
30-06 will do it all, of course it will. But they are like belly buttons, everybody has one.
If you are more of a hunter than a shooter get a 30-06 or a 308.
If you are like me, then you will show up in moose camp with a 35 Newton or some other rare beast.
 
Most any caliber will kill a moose but if you hunt swamps like i do in northern Ontario you want them to drop on the spot or you get wet . A 250 grain in a 338 or any 35 caliber excels at this with a shoulder shot . But as stated if recoil is a consideration a 30-06 is the best choice in my books if you cant handle the mags.
 
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Agree with all of the above. Been moose hunting 26 years in northern Ontario. taken critters with a .303 and a .30-06. My dad took one with a 30-30 (at 20 yards). Others have used a 35 Whelen, a 45-70, even a 270 got the job done. I almost got a nice cow last year with a 12g at 35 yards, but to much brush in the way for confident shot placement.

I agree with Warzaw, try to drop it where it stands, Chasing a wounded moose sucks, they can cover ALOT of ground in a hurry, even with a poorly placed hole in them.
 
snoopycda said:
30-06 will do it all, of course it will. But they are like belly buttons, everybody has one.
If you are more of a hunter than a shooter get a 30-06 or a 308.
If you are like me, then you will show up in moose camp with a 35 Newton or some other rare beast.
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Ahhh yes, but the .35 Newton must have a crescent steel buttplate and a razor thin comb with lots of drop if you are going to maximize the nostalgia factor. That would be fun. Is yours original?
 
Go to several dealers and handle has many brands as you can. Fit is so important. One will speak to you. Try the old standby calibers- boring but just plain work and have tolerable recoil.
.308, 30.06 or .270.
Practice with at least 100 rounds.
 
At the risk of being repetitive , you won't go wrong with a 30/06 . I've used more than a few calibers on Moose over the years , from 303 Brit to 458WM . They aren't particularly hard to kill with a well placed shot , which is what your choice of caliber should reflect . A well placed 180 gr from an 06 is far better than a marginal shot with a heavier caliber . The 338WM is a great round , but it is a handful . As pointed out in the above threads , try out a few rifles if possible and see what you're comfortable with . Any of the above calibers , in a properly fitting rifle , are more than capable of cleanly taking Moose or Elk . Good luck .
 
Up North people tend to use the old 30/30 or a 308.... even once heard of someone using a boat. A fellow nurse working on a reserve that I work with went out fishing with a fellow when two Bull moose started swimming across the lake they were on. The fellow who owned the boat had my buddy take the motor and drive up beside on and he threw a rope around its antler and he had my buddy gun the motor and poor moose drowned but fed the guys family and all of the elders in town for weeks.......

I'd recommend something in 308cal+ rifle or a boat...... I hunt haven't had a tag for anything but Calf yet in my area so have never taken a moose yet but would use a 8mm as my most powerful caliber (with real bullets not those underpowered Winchester or PPU rounds that shoot low)
 
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Boomer said:
Ahhh yes, but the .35 Newton must have a crescent steel buttplate and a razor thin comb with lots of drop if you are going to maximize the nostalgia factor. That would be fun. Is yours original?
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I don't have a 35 Newton, but would love one. I have showed up with 25-06 Rem, 307 Win, 338 Win Mag, 375 H&H. Some of the guys I have hunted with think the 7mm Rem Mag is exotic!
The weirdest cartridge i had was a 25-35 Ackley Improved in a 1907 Model 94. Great conversation piece in a camp that was littered with 30-06s'.
 
So many good choices that will do the job. I would want to know if your going to hunt deer also with the same gun. But everyone so far has made all the right suggestions - and for purposes of giving your mind something to reel on... Get a reloaders magazine or book and study the ballistic tables for powder loads and bullet weights of different calibers. It`s easy to favor one caliber one week and then a week or two later favor another caliber. All that really means is that one is getting the gist of the possibilities. So It provides a useful back-gound that the load tests will clearly show.
 
Whatever you can shoot the best. Many moose have toppled with the likes of a 30-30, 303, and the venerable 30-06. That said if I was in the market it would be a 35 Whelen. Accurate, tolerable, and hits with authority. Good luck.
 
Hi:

I would recommend a 30-06 caliber Hornady cartridge my preference for a rifle is a Sako as I have hound them to be a well make rifle.
 
First priority.... pick a calibre and rifle that you will be willing to practice with!!! Anything you choose requires you to make the effort to shoot it accurately and reliably. Use different positions.. not just from a bench at the range... Test your ability with Standing, Kneeling and Prone shooting positions.

I would suggest a minimum of 270 Win. with premium bullets to whatever Shutzen-Boomer magnum you can shoot well

KNOW YOUR LIMITS -- The practical range depends on YOU... not so much the calibre of rifle.

Otherwise enjoy the hunt.
 
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