What Cartridge for both Moose and Deer ??

[blueflash]

What would be the best size cartridge for a rifle if it purpose was to shoot Whitetail Deer, Moose, and maybe even Black Bear occasionally??

I ask this question because I have recently ordered a Savage Weather Warrior in .300Win Mag, and it is on back order, and it may not arrive in time for hunting season, so I may have to either choose a different sized caliber, or pick a different gun (if I want it in time for this years season). I do have a Marlin in 30-30 that will work, or a 12 gauge and slugs, but I was looking foward to a new rifle.

 

[burnsy56]

.30-06

 

[pharaoh2]

What do ya got? Use that.

 

[Tazzy]

30-06 is all you need. I've shot moose with a .270 and 30-06. The end result was the same.

 

[broncoo]

all of the above

 

[mikeyb]

I'd use an '06. Bang, flop. Get out the knife.

 

[Aniest]

300WSM -> moose, bears, elk... large stuff to 300 yards -> deer and small stuff to 600yards +

Best option: a .30 cal rifle that is available to you, has recoil you can manage, and a price you can handle.

 

[DVXDUDE]

30.06 or .308 are the best choices hands down.

 

[Gatehouse]

Start with the 7-08 and work up

Some of the larger caliber "lever" cartridges like the 45/70 might not be a versatile and/or recoil more than the bottleneck cartridges, so that may be a consideration.

 

[Ormachek]

Anything on your list will do the job. Keep your range reasonable with the old tirty-tirty though.

 

[wayne37]

Odd six, can't go wrong

 

[shredder]

The good 'ol Ought-Six or .308 with heavy (180 gr) bullets will do quite nicely on both deer and moose.

 

[Dorian Gray]

30-06 one more time! Or .308. Ammo is available everywhere and they'll kill anything you shoot them at. Can't go wrong IMHO.

Dorian

 

[dirt dog]

it may not be the "best" but wheres the 303 brit its taken both for the last 100 years???

 

[blueflash]

Ya, I know that the .303 used to be very popular, but at my annual hunt trip, we usually talk to around 30 different hunters that are up for the week, at the cabins that are for rent. I can't remember hearing a single one of the guys I talk too, say that they use a .303. Im sure quite a few of the guys that go hunting have them back at home in there gun safe, but its pretty rare to see them out. Atleast from my experience, even the older grizzled veterans are shooting a 30-06 or something else.

 

[stubblejumper]

Pretty much any cartridge from the 7mm-08 on up will work just fine,You certainly don't need a 180gr bullet to kill moose.

 

[Papaclaude]

'06 or 308 are both great choice. My druthers go for the 308, cuz it's almost the same ballistics as the '06 with a shorter action, and they are usually a little lighter.

 

[tactical870]

270 win will take both deer and moose with ease. It's a little flatter shooting than the '06too....

 

[tuffteddyb]

like mentioned before 7/08 and up
personally i like my 280 rem, for everything,
but relly enjoy my 338 win mag too,for the big fuzzies

 

[gunsmith1951]

All calibers noted work well. Just pic the one you like best or wait for the .300 win mag. I think your heart is set on the win mag, you will be happier if you wait for it.