Mossberg Patriot in .30-06 (Any advice, thoughts or tips)?

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Drewhall19841

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Hey Guys,

I was told that I would never go wrong carrying a .30-06 into Moose country and that it would do the trick without question (as long as I practice shooting obviously). So I just bought a nearly new Mossberg Patriot Rifle in .30-06 from a fellow CGN'r . After reading reviews which were mostly very positive.

I'm sure anyone who owns one may have a piece of advice, or a tip or a comment for me. I was hoping someone may be able to tell me what type of ammo I could purchase to be able to put up a decent shot group, as well as reducing the recoil as much as possible, without sacrificing Punch Power on a moose.

Any help?

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Andy
 
As Nomad said you'll have to see what ammo it likes. Personally I like heavy for caliber bullets and I shoot the 30-06. Sometimes I use 180's but I also like 190gr Accubond Long Range, 200gr Accubond or a 220gr Partition. At shorter ranges it will flatten anything. Depends on the type of hunting you do and the anticipated ranges you are going to shoot. I handload but sometimes I like to get a couple boxes of Core Lokt or Federal blue box to break in the barrel and just see if there is a weight the gun seems to shoot well.
 
Why buy a 30 06 if you want something that kicks less? Sell it and get a 308 instead. Buy 150 gr. or 165 gr. quality ammunition and practice as much as you can afford.

Try the Fusion brand ammo, if you can find some. It's bonded and it as proven accurate in a few rifles for my friends and I.
 
Agree - a 308 would do the job and kick "a little" less than an .06 - you also have identical bullet choices right from the factory loads - whatever they load for .06 they also load for 308.

I have been hunting moose for somewhat over 40 years (Eastern Moose in Northern Ontario, so a "little" smaller than the Yukon strain out west, but still "big" animals). I used to hunt with a 30.06 - older now and shoulder buggered a bit so I "moved down" to a 7.08 (shooting 140 grain Partitions currently) - easier on the shoulder and every bit as lethal for moose. And when I shot the .06 it was loaded (initially) with 180 grain Partitions until the mid 1980's and then Swift A-Frames (likewise 180 grain) until I retired the rifle.

Moose are not that hard to kill and they will let you get close. In most areas an adult moose doesn't have any predators (unless they are sick/lame or real old), so they are not as skiddish as other members of the deer family. So when you can routinely get within 100 yards, and often times 50 yards is doable, you don't need a "cannon" to take them down - a stout bullet, yes (their hide is the toughest of the deer family and if you hit a bone, the bullet better not evaporate), but they aren't made of kevlar and the vital area can be upwards of a 16" circle (on a mature bull) - so you don't even have to be a sub-moa shooter to take one down.

I do agree that a 30.06 gives the shooter a bit of "comfort" but you really don't need "that much gun" for a moose if you do your part.

As far as the Patriot goes - we sell a good number of them. They are right in there with the Axis, American and 783 as far as price/fit/finish goes (or lacks as some may point out). They are all "functional rifles" and all shoot very accurately. I won't get into a "buy something better used, or spend more money and get something else". For what they are I like the look and feel of the wood stocked Patriot's over the others that I mentioned. They look good for the price, have the fluted bolt/barrel (which is mostly cosmetic but I guess does shave a few ounces) and unlike the others, still are made by a family run company that doesn't have decisions made by some bean counter trying to keep share holders happy - that may mean something...
 
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Hey, I know it's a very long time after you wrote this. However i was just going back through my posts and wanted to if anything new had popped about my question.
it may not mean much but i wanted to say thank you very much for taking the time to write that all down, i'm very appreciative of the words of advice and encouragement.

I've actually copied and saved your comment for further reading come moose season this fall.

I still have the mossberg and i actually love it. Even if it is in 30.06 hahah!!!

Again thank you for your time and advice i'll be re reading it North of Thunderbay come October 2017


Drew
 
What type of stock does your Patriot have?...... if it's a laminate stock, your rifle will be fairly heavy and I highly doubt you will notice the nominal kick difference between .308 and .30-06.....
 
30'06 is my 2nd highest rifle accumulation, it's an excellent all around cartridge. My oldest ones are 100 years old this year and still shoot great.
 
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