160 AccuBond are what I have developed for it now and have those loaded.
Best Calibers For Moose Hunting
- Thread starter gerry
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
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8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
- 56
- 303
Any all around cartridge starting from 6.5mm with a good quality bullet would work with ease. Can you do it with smaller cartridges? For sure, but you'll be waiting for perfect broadside behind the shoulder shots. I'd rather have the extra HP/weight to get penetration in quartering shots situations if i'm only presented with that.
In saying that I've shot moose with the following:
7x64 with 175gr Hornady Interlocks at 2740 fps
8x57 with various bullets 170-200gr bullets- my favorite cartridge and choice for most of my hunting.
8mm-06 w/200gr at 2790 fps
9.3x62 with 285gr at 2400 fps.
If i started all over again a 30-06 with 165gr-200gr.
In saying that I've shot moose with the following:
7x64 with 175gr Hornady Interlocks at 2740 fps
8x57 with various bullets 170-200gr bullets- my favorite cartridge and choice for most of my hunting.
8mm-06 w/200gr at 2790 fps
9.3x62 with 285gr at 2400 fps.
If i started all over again a 30-06 with 165gr-200gr.
- Thread starter
- #44
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,865
- 1,663
You're set, I wouldn't change a thing. Sure other cartridges or bullets will work but not any better than what you have now.
Growing up my father told me of a debate he had with an Alaska native who was a good friend. Alex stated he was headed up north to hunt a polar bear. Dad asked Alex what he would be using and Alex said 243. This concerned dad very much and he offered Alex his choice of larger caliber. Alex insisted he was good and to look at how much better armed he was than his father had been. The father had used a spear to hunt with! Knowing how to shoot and being very brave works.................right up to when it don't.
Thebear_78
Handloader
- Sep 30, 2004
- 3,091
- 837
I know a guy who has killed 3 polar bear with 22-250 running Remington green and yellow 50gr SP. his seal rifle. Poking a bear in the ribs a few times and following in a snow machine is a little different than how most of us hunt
badaxeriverman
Beginner
- Sep 29, 2024
- 137
- 118
I watched Jim’s video. I’m sure he got paid quite well for that advertisement. I’ll stick with my 300 RUM.
I just watched some outdoor life writer shoot a moose with a 22 ARC. Three shots of it stood there for about a half a minute and then fell over. So apparently you can shoot them with 22 cal legally now. Thought it was the most unethical thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’m alone in my thinking with the comments that I read underneath the video either.
I just watched some outdoor life writer shoot a moose with a 22 ARC. Three shots of it stood there for about a half a minute and then fell over. So apparently you can shoot them with 22 cal legally now. Thought it was the most unethical thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’m alone in my thinking with the comments that I read underneath the video either.
badaxeriverman
Beginner
- Sep 29, 2024
- 137
- 118
I don't even know what would possess somebody to shoot a moose with a 22 caliber rifle other than a poacher practicing their craft.
- Thread starter
- #50
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,865
- 1,663
I like your style with all the cool metric cartridges.
I've shot 3 moose, 2 in ID and 1 in AK. My bull in Idaho was 450yds with a 358STA using 250gr Hornady bullets. I popped it in the lungs and it turned slightly, blocking another shot. It stood there for 15-20 seconds and then started swaying side to side before tipping over. My Idaho cow I shot at 200yds with my 416 Rem using 300gr X bullets at 2960. I hit her in the lungs and she took a few steps backwards, stood there for a few seconds and then tipped over. My AK bull was shot with a 300wm using 215 Bergers at 3000fps. The shot was through the back of the front shoulder at 350yds. It hit the dirt at the shot.
cloverleaf
Handloader
- Sep 10, 2006
- 4,382
- 1,017
Wonder how many Moose have fallen to a .303 or a 30-40 Krag? There was a time those rifles were behind many a kitchen door.... CL
- Thread starter
- #53
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,865
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In Canada lots with the 303 British, I bet that round has taken as many species of game around the world as the 30-06 has. I would imagine you're right about the 30/40 Krag especially in the US.
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,642
- 2,305
Larry Koller's book Shots at Whitetails tells of him using a 30-40 Krag back in the day. Worked with an old former Marine who hunted with one. They certainly got used for sure. Dan.
If you ever seen one of the older Eastman hunting videos, you would have seen the eskimos shoot polar bears being hunted with sled dogs with a 222. As they mostly hunted seals with these rifles, they used what they had for other hunting too, as opportunities arose. They would shoot the bear in the spine when the right shot presentation would be offered as the dogs worked the bear, from a short distance, killing it instantly with one shot, preserving the hide, and meat, and ensuring the safety of the hunting team and their dogs.
My own native grandfather shot many a moose on the (winter) trapline with his 22LR through the 1940-70's, because that was what he had in hand at the time when an opportunity was presented. As he told it, he "tickled" them in the ribs, well behind the shoulder, at a very close distance, and when the moose ran off from the sting and pop of the small caliber, he would sit down, roll a smoke, and finish his cigarette before taking up the track. He said the moose never went far before the lung damage made them bed down, and they were usually dead by the time he got to them. Otherwise he had his 30-30 when out hunting big game for meat, and rarely shot animals beyond 100 yards with his open sighted Marlin.These were the rifles he owned, and they were tools that brought sustenance and income to him and his family.
I am glad that I am better equipped with rifles in calibers/cartridges that I am more confident that are capable of quickly and cleanly killing large game when I am out hunting for them...although the 6.5 may get pressed into service for moose or elk, when I was originally out deer hunting, or vice-versa, so do not need to use a 22LR for larger game (of which is not legal here now; min. is larger than .224 cal). To date I have used 6.5 -9.3 calibers for moose.
I would say 99% plus of all hunting in this country today is done from want and not need. And for this reason for me kills need to be both clean and swift. And I believe most hunters feel the same. As for the other less than one percent who kill for true need the rules are different. If killing an animal really makes the difference between eating and starving no rules apply. They use what they have to do the job. One thing that always bothered me is people saying they had to have an animal to eat when they have a good paying job and are using six figures of gear to take some animal.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,296
- 3,044
My set minimum is 30-06....
I used a 338-378 for my moose.
I used a 338-378 for my moose.
KinleyWater
Handloader
- Jun 15, 2019
- 1,074
- 1,431
Then you'll like my.. ahem 9.1x63 Whelen.
I've never shot a moose, but I have known two people nearly killed by moose in separate car accidents. In both cases the moose survived and the car didn't. Tough critters. Sorry, '86 Volkswagen isn't a caliber recommendation as the OP requested, nor is '73 Midget (waste of a fantastic little car). IF I were to go moose hunting - let me rephrase, IF I could afford to go moose hunting, I would feel completely fine with my Whelen, but I would probably take my 375 Ruger, just because I can't think of what else I would hunt with it.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,328
- 6,019
Yeah, and either rifle would work quite well for moose.
- Thread starter
- #60
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,865
- 1,663
Big fan of the 9.1x63 Whelen! I'll carry mine more next year, love that gun since it's lightweight, accurate and is the best handling gun I own. Your 375 would be good too, I would use something like a 250 gr TTSX.
Moose and cars are a bad mix doesn't go well for anyone involved.
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