Moose/Wolf rifle suggestions plz

Gargoyle

Gargoyle

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"South"western Ontario
I just booked my 2014 moose/wolf hunt. This will be my first time hunting for either so I'm starting to shop early for a new rifle. I'm hoping to be able to use one rifle for both game. I've heard of people using the venerable .308 for both. Would this be a wise choice? I'm also not a big fan of semiauto rifles. I'm either going single or bolt. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Trying to keep the budget as low as possible as I have a bunch of other big expenses for this trip.
 
Where you going? What time of year are you going? How are you going to be hunting? What ranges can you expect to shoot?
 
sheephunter said:
Where you going? What time of year are you going? How are you going to be hunting? What ranges can you expect to shoot?
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Near White River, Ontario. This time next year (second week of November) still not sure what ranges but I will be asking my brother in law that runs the hunt lodge today. I've never been up that way so I really have no clue to that part of it yet.
 
Gargoyle said:
Near White River, Ontario. This time next year (second week of November) still not sure what ranges but I will be asking my brother in law that runs the hunt lodge today. I've never been up that way so I really have no clue to that part of it yet.
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Those variables will play greatly into your decision but it's always hard to go wrong with a good bolt action in 30-06 or 308 in moose country.
 
tribal said:
what price range are you wanting to be in for Rifle and Optics? for something in the middle i agree with the Remington 700 CDL SF
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I'd like to keep things below the 1K mark for rifle and scope.. I do have a nice 3-9x 42 bushnell trophy xlt with BC flip up caps still in the box sitting here if that would do the trick.
 
The Trophy will be fine... Don't "dumb down" your moose gun for wolves... Just buy a gun specifically for moose and then blast the crap outta any wolves with the same load. A Win M70 or Ruger 77 in .308 or .30/06 would be a good choice.
 
If it were me I'd dump the Trophy and plan on a new scope for the new rifle. Some great scopes in the $400 range and you should be able to find a good rifle for $600-$700 to stay within budget.
 
For under 1K I'd suggest a Savage 16/116 FCSS (about 700.00 plus tax) in what ever caliber you choose and put your trophy on it for now. Later you can upgrade the scope if you feel its neccesary. Have fun!!!
PS, a 270 win or 7mm-08 will work great on moose out to 300 yards or more, and they don't have a lot of recoil. If recoil is not a problem step up in caliber and or case capacity. Hope you get a moose and a few wolves!
 
I'd buy a rifle you'll be proud to own in 20 years and hand down, you're making memories with it. My pick would be a Winchester Model 70 Stainless Featherweight (walnut stock, and don't let featherweight cool you it's not too light) in .270, .30-06, or .308. All three you can feed from the cabinet of a hardware store in a small town, and I favour .308 due to it's load selection and ubiquity among different kinds of rifles.
 
270 WIN or 270WSM (WSM gets my vote of the 2), 7mm-08, maybe stick with the old trusty 30-06. There 7mmRM, 300WM or 300WSM. Choose what you can shoot comfortably and accurately. I would stay away from single shot for what you are going for.

Savage makes an accurate rifle for low price...just a %*&(#$ sloppy action IMO. Mid range Remington or the Weatherby, Tikka. Maybe look for a used rifle here on CGN.
 
The Weatherby Vanguard would be my pick for a 'budget' type rifle. Get the blued version and give it a coat of G96 to protect it from the wet. Your Bushnell Trophy will likely get the job done, but I put an Elite on mine for around $250. The glass is just a little nicer and the low light performance is pretty good. A Leupold or Nikon around that $250 mark would be good to go as well. As for calibre, 308 works well my uncle put down over a dozen moose with his. 30 06, 270 or even 7mm mag would be good picks as well. Ammo is readily available for all of them. Good luck!
 
I can honestly say, I've never noticed the difference in the smoothness of any action while shooting at game...recoil also seem to disappear when I have the x-hairs on hair. Just my observation! Maybe I get worked up more than the average person when I have game in the sights, I don't notice this stuff even after many years of hunting (40+) and many animals taken.
Shooting off a bench is a different story.
 
The Trophy will be fine... Don't "dumb down" your moose gun for wolves... Just buy a gun specifically for moose and then blast the crap outta any wolves with the same load. A Win M70 or Ruger 77 in .308 or .30/06 would be a good choice.

^^ well said
 
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