Part 1: New to hunting, need advice please.

joe.grey

joe.grey

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South East Ontario
As mentioned in the tittle, I am new to hunting but not to firearms. Served in our military, with Tours overseas and now compete in precision shooting so marksmanship is not an issue (not saying I'm the best shooter, simply saying I got my marksmanship basics under control and with consistency). I've been doing much reading, talking and trying to educate myself as best I can before I actually go out and hunt. I plan on hunting deer and moose for the meat to put on my family's diner table. I've recently had the opportunity to taste wild meat and absolutely love it. My hunting will be done all within 200m (218 yards) and in an open area, no thick brush. I will be doing my own handloads for hunting as I already have all the tools, gear and knowledge for it.

1- I am reading a lot about today's hunting bullet technology and wanted to know what is everyone's opinion on "tipped vs round-nose" bullets for hunting deer and moose?
2- There seems to be much talk about lead free bullets, should I hop on the lead free train right from the start? Is there an advantage in terms of performance to using lead free bullets?
3- What bullet are you using for deer and which one for moose? (please name make, model and grain weight)

Thank you for
 
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Deer and moose hunting is not much of a challenge to a modern rifle.

Do you have a rifle? If you do, let us know the rifle and caliber, so our advice can be more focused.

Hunting success is divided into three parts. Part one is putting your self in a position to see a deer/moose at less than 200 yards. Good luck with that part.

Part two is taking the shot and hitting where you aimed. You are probably well enough skilled to do that.

Part 3 is what happens to the target. Some times you will have plenty of time to take a carefully aimed shot at a still target at 50 yards or less. You can take your chances at a "cute" shot in the head or neck. These shots often don't work. Your call.

The "money shot" is the boiler room. Just behind the front shoulder. This takes out the lungs, and if a bit low - the heart. Either way, it won't go far. Usually no more than 50 yards.

As for the bullet, I prefer going a bit heavy for caliber. This way I don't blow up a lot of meat on deer; I get adequate penetration on moose and I get to use the same ammo on either hunt. For 308 I use a 180 gr bullet. For 6.5 I use 140 to 160 gr and for 243 95 gr.

As for bullet performance, 98% of it comes from hitting the right place. Any suitable weight hunting bullet will do the job if you hit the boil room. No harm in using a premium bullet. Nosler Partitions have a terrific track record.
 
It sounds like you are able to make a good shot. To me that is the easy part. Trying to keep the wind in your favor, and stay still and quiet can be more of a challenge sometimes.
 
My hunting rifle is a Tikka T3X Varmint in 6.5x55 Swede, 1:8 twist, 23.75'' barrel.

Ganderite said:
Deer and moose hunting is not much of a challenge to a modern rifle.

Do you have a rifle? If you do, let us know the rifle and caliber, so our advice can be more focused.

Hunting success is divided into three parts. Part one is putting your self in a position to see a deer/moose at less than 200 yards. Good luck with that part.

Part two is taking the shot and hitting where you aimed. You are probably well enough skilled to do that.

Part 3 is what happens to the target. Some times you will have plenty of time to take a carefully aimed shot at a still target at 50 yards or less. You can take your chances at a "cute" shot in the head or neck. These shots often don't work. Your call.

The "money shot" is the boiler room. Just behind the front shoulder. This takes out the lungs, and if a bit low - the heart. Either way, it won't go far. Usually no more than 50 yards.

As for the bullet, I prefer going a bit heavy for caliber. This way I don't blow up a lot of meat on deer; I get adequate penetration on moose and I get to use the same ammo on either hunt. For 308 I use a 180 gr bullet. For 6.5 I use 140 to 160 gr and for 243 95 gr.

As for bullet performance, 98% of it comes from hitting the right place. Any suitable weight hunting bullet will do the job if you hit the boil room. No harm in using a premium bullet. Nosler Partitions have a terrific track record.
Click to expand...
 
Hello Joe,
I started hunting this year as well, been shooting for quite a while and competing in PRS.
I shoot the 6.5 Creedmoor with the 120gr TTSX barnes and 130gr TSX barnes they both seem to work well with deer. I wouldn't have any problems going after Elk/Moose with them either.
Mine was a bang flop, my buddy who also shoots the creedmoor his deer made it around 30m before expiring. Lead free does need a bit more tuning as you need speed but your 6.5x55 should have no problems with that. I use quite a bit of the organs to eat and make treats for the puppies so I prefer non lead bullets, just a personal choice. They both had small holes in and out but the hydrostatic shock was incredible. It shredded the lungs, liver, and part of the heart. My 120gr TTSX are flying at 2880fps from muzzle.
My other buddy uses partition and hasn't lost a deer, they shoot great out of his rifle.
So far I haven't seen any of my barnes fail and they are super accurate.

There is so much to learn about hunting its crazy, shooting is such a small part of it. I've been reading books, watching youtube, and listening to friends who have hunted to gather as much information as I could. But the best way to learn is just to get out there.
 
Well - if you are an accuracy bug, you will want to try different bullet weights, as your rifle will naturally tune to a particular weight. Otherwise, you cant go wrong with good ol' plain 140 grain flat base SP bullets, a la Hornady or Sierra.
Ohh! - And taking a shot at a deer when your heart rate is 150 is a different game all together...
 
Welcome to the obsession.....

IMOP, ignore the lead free BS...... but use a well constructed bullet capable of the task.... nosler accubonds and partitions are your friends...
 
Welcome Joe, any well constructed hunting quality bullet will knock down most critters. Just use some knowledge when selecting your bullets. Eg. Don't use a 55gr V-max .223 on a moose. But nothing wrong with using a 6mm 140 gr Remington core lock.
In the grand scheme bullet selection is small potatoes.....most ammunition manufacturers have figured it out for you, just match the bullet to the critter by the picture on the box.

From a big game hunting stand point...my best advice. Figure out how to keep the wind in your favour, it will play a larger roll in your success.

Good luck enjoy the obsession.
 
There is no deer or moose out there that needs anything fancier then the Nosler Partition that has been around since the 1940's.

If you figure that isn't tough enough then you will appreciate the Swift A-Frame that came out in the 1980's which is just a partition on steroids.

Anything else is only needed if you get mesmerized by the ad's in hunting magazines.
 
If you've never been big game hunting, get ready for buck fever. (Now, having said that..I realise you've served. And not trying to sound crass but hunting man has to be the biggest rush.)
I know the first time I went deer hunting and saw my first deer which was a buck, my heart rate went from 0 to 60 mph in a flash. Trying to hold on a walking deer over iron sights while sitting on my azz on a ledge with my breathing all ragged and heart pounding...I was lucky enough to get a killing shot. After the first, it gets easier.
 
Nova, great info, thank you. Yes, I agree that there is so much to learn about hunting and I love that part. I've read and heard much positive about both the Nosler bullets and Barnes TTSX. I've also read some great stuff about the 143 ELDX by Hornady for deer. The more I read though, the more I lean towards owning a magnum bullet for an all purpose caliber, from deer to moose and elk, obviously leaning towards lighter bullets for deer and heavier for moose and elk. Still debating...

Nova316 said:
Hello Joe,
I started hunting this year as well, been shooting for quite a while and competing in PRS.
I shoot the 6.5 Creedmoor with the 120gr TTSX barnes and 130gr TSX barnes they both seem to work well with deer. I wouldn't have any problems going after Elk/Moose with them either.
Mine was a bang flop, my buddy who also shoots the creedmoor his deer made it around 30m before expiring. Lead free does need a bit more tuning as you need speed but your 6.5x55 should have no problems with that. I use quite a bit of the organs to eat and make treats for the puppies so I prefer non lead bullets, just a personal choice. They both had small holes in and out but the hydrostatic shock was incredible. It shredded the lungs, liver, and part of the heart. My 120gr TTSX are flying at 2880fps from muzzle.
My other buddy uses partition and hasn't lost a deer, they shoot great out of his rifle.
So far I haven't seen any of my barnes fail and they are super accurate.

There is so much to learn about hunting its crazy, shooting is such a small part of it. I've been reading books, watching youtube, and listening to friends who have hunted to gather as much information as I could. But the best way to learn is just to get out there.
Click to expand...
 
I agree that I will experiment with different bullets, powders and casings but I want to remain within premium choices in bullet choices as I want maximum effect for a quick humane kill.

Taking shots with your heart racing is what I've been doing for the majority of my military career but, having said that, I've never shot an animal with the intent of harvesting it. I am looking forward to it as I am hunting strictly for food!

cosmic said:
Well - if you are an accuracy bug, you will want to try different bullet weights, as your rifle will naturally tune to a particular weight. Otherwise, you cant go wrong with good ol' plain 140 grain flat base SP bullets, a la Hornady or Sierra.
Ohh! - And taking a shot at a deer when your heart rate is 150 is a different game all together...
Click to expand...
 
Superbrad said:
Welcome to the obsession.....

IMOP, ignore the lead free BS...... but use a well constructed bullet capable of the task.... nosler accubonds and partitions are your friends...
Click to expand...

Superbrad, thank you. Nosler is coming up a lot in my research, conversations and watching videos.

silverfoxdj said:
BTW Thanks for your service Joe..
Click to expand...

Silverfox, thank you for the kind words.

freire said:
Hi Joe
For the 6.5x55 i would use 120gr Nosler ballistic for deer and 140gr Nosler partitions for Moose.
Click to expand...

Freire: Noslers seem to be a favorit premium bullet.

cdn1canhunt said:
Welcome Joe, any well constructed hunting quality bullet will knock down most critters. Just use some knowledge when selecting your bullets. Eg. Don't use a 55gr V-max .223 on a moose. But nothing wrong with using a 6mm 140 gr Remington core lock.
In the grand scheme bullet selection is small potatoes.....most ammunition manufacturers have figured it out for you, just match the bullet to the critter by the picture on the box.

From a big game hunting stand point...my best advice. Figure out how to keep the wind in your favour, it will play a larger roll in your success.

Good luck enjoy the obsession.
Click to expand...

Cdn1canhunt: thx for the advice.

galamb said:
There is no deer or moose out there that needs anything fancier then the Nosler Partition that has been around since the 1940's.

If you figure that isn't tough enough then you will appreciate the Swift A-Frame that came out in the 1980's which is just a partition on steroids.

Anything else is only needed if you get mesmerized by the ad's in hunting magazines.
Click to expand...

Galamb thx for the advice, Nosler is another favorit here1

Rick65Cat said:
If you've never been big game hunting, get ready for buck fever. (Now, having said that..I realise you've served. And not trying to sound crass but hunting man has to be the biggest rush.)
I know the first time I went deer hunting and saw my first deer which was a buck, my heart rate went from 0 to 60 mph in a flash. Trying to hold on a walking deer over iron sights while sitting on my azz on a ledge with my breathing all ragged and heart pounding...I was lucky enough to get a killing shot. After the first, it gets easier.
Click to expand...

Rick65Cat: I am looking forward to that buck fever. I can't comment on how I will feel or react, but I think having served overseas will help in staying calm when about to shoot the game.

As for war: very different physical feeling I am sure since war has you against another person who wants to kill or injure you in a very violent way. Survival instinct takes over, whole new game. I don't look at hunting the same way even though it involves a firearm. I have tremendous respect for the animal I will be hunting as it will be harvested for food on the table, which I am certain you can relate.
 
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