Which rifle for my first moose hunt ?

Remember OP, a hunt like should be considered a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Why spoil it on not having a proper moose rifle.
Them thar big beasts can slip out of your eyesight in a flash and not make too much noise.

They'll have you scratch'in Huey, Luey and Duey wondering how they fit through that dense chit.

Reward yerself and check out the EE. Seen a kupple terdie awt sixes in there.
Winchester 670 or that bit high priced Ruger.

Tradex should have something reasonable as well.

Nuff said.
 
Member "Kenner" has a Ruger M77. 30/06 listed on the EE that is a very nice rifle at a good price... do a search.
 
Boomer said:
Of the choices presented, the M-14 is the only real option. I'll add my voice to those of the internet heros who recommend purchasing a sporting rifle that is suitable for big game hunting. You appear to have some nice equipment and don't seem to be averse to spending money on your gear, so why not just buy a good hunting rifle to fill that role?
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good point Boomer !

it's not about money, it's more about the wife :) I spent a lot of money on my favorite sport (precision shooting) in the last few years and I had promised her I would not buy anything new for a while. The deal was that if I wanted something new I would have to trade something I already owned for it.

Having said that and after reading all your comments. (thx to everyone) I think I have no choice but to get a new rifle for my hunting needs even though I am pretty sure I could do well with my M14.

Out of curiosity, what do you guy think about the 45-70. I owned a 1895 for a few years and I always wanted to get another one. It would be perfect for 200 yards and less on pretty much all medium to large games, no ?
 
Buying a used rifle ain't buying a new rifle...............me thinks.

Trade?

Oh, the thoughts.

45-70?
Bit overkill fer dah mewsies............ ?
 
While I have a few fantastic moose rifles in my collection... I think I'm gonna spend my entire season hunting mulies, big horns, moose and elk with my m14...once again.... Just to prove the point LOL
Lots of good advice on both sides of the op's question.

My only other suggestion, soley based on OP's first post would be to lighten up that .338WM with a lighter hunting stock and an optic more suited to hunting. Shave some weight off that rifle and it would be more than suitable.
 
That it's an adequate hunting rifle for moose.... Just like any other .308.

Look, my comments have all been based on the OP's requests to NOT suggest other rifles/calibers. That's it.
Outside the scope of the OP's original parameters, we all know there are better choices as hunting rifles.... But if yer stuck and don't have the abilty to buy a new rifle... Be it the wife or the budget... That M14/M305 the OP has will indeed get the job done.

The comments that I felt were "asinine" are those that suggested buying a proper rifle to "fit in" in hunt camp, and how "classy" you would be with said rifle and a "spiffy" leupold scope LOL

But ya, let's all schit on Thomas for actually reading the OP's first post and actually answering his question.
Geebus this place is so full of special people who seriously need to get over themselves LOL
Flame away.
 
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S1nnerman said:
Out of curiosity, what do you guy think about the 45-70. I owned a 1895 for a few years and I always wanted to get another one. It would be perfect for 200 yards and less on pretty much all medium to large games, no ?
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A 45-70 can work so long as it is what you enjoy practicing with from field positions out to 200 yards. If you are purchasing for a hunt, there are better options though. You will probably find something like 3006, or 308 much easier to practice with. One of the biggest points is to get something you will enjoy shooting enough to shoot often.
 
45ACPKING said:
That it's an adequate hunting rifle for moose.... Just like any other .308.

Look, my comments have all been based on the OP's requests to NOT suggest other rifles/calibers. That's it.
Outside the scope of the OP's original parameters, we all know there are better choices as hunting rifles.... But if yer stuck and don't have the abilty to buy a new rifle... Be it the wife or the budget... That M14/M305 the OP has will indeed get the job done.

The comments that I felt were "asinine" are those that suggested buying a proper rifle to "fit in" in hunt camp, and how "classy" you would be with said rifle and a "spiffy" leupold scope LOL

But ya, let's all schit on Thomas for actually reading the OP's first post and actually answering his question.
Geebus this place is so full of special people who seriously need to get over themselves LOL
Flame away.
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Throughout my life I have found that some of the best advice I've been given wasn't what I wanted to hear. At other times it wasn't even the question that I asked, but the one I should have asked. What's funny is the OP is taking it better than you are. If that makes me asinine so be it.
 
LOL , do you picture me fuming at my keyboard or something?
How ridiculous would that be?

I called hoyt's remarks in that one post asinine (by definition) and everyone goes and takes it all personal and such LOL

You all need to get out and go hunt sumthin ;)
OP, good luck on your hunt whatever rifle you choose. I'm sure your question has been more than answered.
 
hoytcanon said:
Buy a hunting rifle in .308 or .30/06... they are so commong place (vanilla) that the prices are low for what you get. A used M70, M77 (even an M700 if you just gotta), blued in good solid walnut, are inexpensive, even on the EE... and you will look like a spiffy, experienced hunter in camp with the other fellas... top it with a good 2-7 or 3-9 (Leupold perhaps) and you have a classy and functional hunting rig.
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45ACPKING said:
I called hoyt's remarks in that one post asinine (by definition) and everyone goes and takes it all personal...
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Guess I'm assinine then... I stand by my original post exactly as written.
 
It's okay, I've prolly been accused of worse, don't take it too personally. LOL it really wasn't "you" I was referring to but your comment... There is a difference.

Still waiting for Ardent to post up his ol huntin pics with the m14 platform....
Or the many others on this site that have done the same without worrying about what our resident superhunters are gonna think or say.
 
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Yes, if you have the factory stock for the M-14, that woulnd't suck either. But if you are going to buy a new hunting rifle anyway, you can go any way you want with $$$$

If you want $ price tag, we have never before had so many ready to hunt, accurate options with a small price tag, like Ruger American or Savage Axis. And if you want $$ or $$$ or $$$$ well, the world is your oyster. :)

You already have a Bushnell 3-9 scope that you can drop on top of any rifle for this year.
 
Grouse Man said:
How many people have said to get a sporterized .303Br Enfield for $100?
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I don't think they exist anymore. Out here they're selling for $300.00. AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEM!!
OP, I hauled around a C-6 daily for weeks at a time. It never got lighter. At the end of a day, the 12lbs of gun and 20 lbs of ammo weighed about 200lbs. Now, I know you aren't doing a 10km fighting withdrawal with any of your rifles, but, I promise you, I was ALWAYS happy when all they issued me was a C-7 and a front load.
If you can swing the purchase of a used rifle, one can be found. If not, perhaps you could borrow one. If you were closer I'd even loan you one. A nicely sported #4, or even a sported P-14. Classy for moose.
 
so I don't start a new thread, what's the best ammo in 308 for mooose hunt? Would Hornady 165 gr be enough?
 
I'm gonna let the superhunters answer that one. I haven't shot enough babboons and zebras and elephants to qualify as a seasoned hunter around here so best not give anymore advice LOL
 
rkr said:
so I don't start a new thread, what's the best ammo in 308 for mooose hunt? Would Hornady 165 gr be enough?
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I always used 180gr in my 308's for moose. Once I started reloading I moved to 165 Hornady interbonds in the one 308 I have left but haven't used it on moose yet, but I have confidence it will get the job done. What Hornady bullet is being used in the ammo you are looking at?
 
I'd hunt with either the Norinco with a standard stock or the .338 wm with the bi-pod removed.

Personally, I also hunt with things like a scout-scoped Garand and a scoped CG-63, so I'm not real shy around heavier or bulkier rifles.

The suggestions of getting a dedicated "hunting rifle" are not wrong, however. You do seem to like your kit, so I think it is fair to invest in a quality 30-06 setup that specifically suits your hunting needs. You can tell you wife you are not getting "more" target gear, but hunting gear to put food on the table...
 
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