Moose Opened With a Bang

[DrMike]

Took an RCMP sergeant out to collect a moose. My family dentist, and wife's boss, joined us. The dentist is a new shooter and wanted the experience of witnessing a hunt. The sergeant had shot a calf many years ago, but had never shot a moose. We set up overlooking a valley and glassed for about 45 minutes when I saw a moose coming out about 150 yards from him. I was wondering whether he had seen the beast when I heard a shot from his 7 mm RM at which the moose turned and fled. I heard a second shot, but I couldn't tell if it connected or not. As it turned out, the first shot was a high shoulder shot that took the moose down. Since neither of them had ever cleaned a moose, the old man was privileged to tackle the job. The younger fellows were invited to tote the critter out of the field and to my truck, however. Out of the field and home before lunch. Now, that is the way to hunt. I'll go out for my own hunt on Tuesday. I'll try to remember to take a camera.

It was funny to witness the dentist covered in blood. I told him that I wanted a picture to hang in his operatory, but he declined the invitation. The sergeant told quite a different story in church this morning. Shame on him. His wife noted, however, that he only needed to go with someone who knew what they were doing. :lol: :lol:

 

[JD338]

Good job Mike, you are the Master Guide.
Good luck on your upcoming moose hunt. Post some pictures.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Very nice Mike.
The only way it could of been any better is if you could of back up to it with the truck! :grin:

 

[DrMike]

The embarrassing thing is that the sergeant walked 1.5 km out of the bush to get my truck. He tried to drive up to the moose without telling me, and managed to sink it up to the hubs in a muskeg. It was so thoroughly sunk in the mud is that we finally had to call my hunting partner to come winch us out. He is a Dodge fan and after taking pictures of the Dodge winching my Ford out of the mud, promised that I'll hear about this for years to come. He wouldn't let me take pictures of a 13 year old Chevrolet hauling his Dodge out of the bush two years ago. Oh, well, if the stiffness works itself out, I'll be sitting over a cut block tomorrow morning waiting for a swamp donkey to come home for dinner.

 

[JD338]

Good Luck buddy! :grin:

What gun and load are you going to use?

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I have five rifles that are unblooded. I am carrying them this fall and winter. On Saturday, I carried a 673 chambered in 350 RM. My chosen load is 59 grains of TAC with F210M primers and a 200 grain TSX. I have had a tough time getting a consistent group with this rifle. It is now pillar bedded and a stiffer spring installed in the bolt to give quicker lock-up. This particular load is giving me consistent MOA at a velocity approaching 2800 fps. I have 225 grain Nosler partitions worked up, but have yet to test them at the range.

I am also prone to carry a Ruger Hawkeye in 35 Whelan. It was also a problem shooter. I finally have a load that is giving me consistent 0.4 inch groups with 225 TSX, 56 grains of A2520 and CCI250 primers at 2560 fps.

I previously blooded my .358 in a BLR, but since then, I bought a Ruger Hawkeye chambered in .358. I have a couple of loads that are giving me reasonable groups. One is a 200 grain Hornady FTX with 47 grains of IMR3031 and CCI250 at 2470 fps. The other is 49 grains of H335 and F210 primers with 200 grain TSX at 2520 fps. The loads shoot to the same POI. They should work as well.

My 30-06 in a Winchester Featherweight gives me consistent MOA groups with a variety of loads, but F210 primers and 49 grains of IMR4831 igniting Hornady 165 grain IB gives me the right combination of velocity and accuracy to permit carrying the load afield. I have just started working with the 180 grain E-Tip, so I don't have the data back from that. The loads are worked up, but hunting is interfering with range time. I just received 165 grain and 150 grain Hornady GMX bullets this past week, and plan to work up some loads with them also.

Finally, I have a 270 WSM in one of the new Featherweights. My experience with the WSMs is that the 270 is the most finicky of the lot. Nevertheless, I have an excellent load consisting of 130 grain E-Tip, 59.5 grains of RL17 and WLR primers. It gives me 3250 fps and excellent accuracy.

Elk opens on September 1. Black bear is now open, though I would like to wait until later to take a couple of bears off the oat fields to get some good pelts. I have grown somewhat particular in recent years. If the bear is not at least six feet, I'll probably pass. However, the meat on these animals that have been grazing oats is surely fine. Mule deer and Whitetail open on November 1. So, I should be able to use all these rifles at one point or another this fall. I'll try to make a point of remembering to take my camera.

JD, that is a long answer to a short question; but what else would you expect from a preacher?

 

[HunterJim]

DrMike,

Good going on the moose!

Have you tried any heavier bullets in your Win M70 FW .270 WSM?

thanks...jim

 

[JD338]

Your list of rifles and loads would all work well on moose.
IMHO, I would lean towards the 350 Rem Mag or the 35 Whelen.

Good luck tomorrow.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I have never shot the 150s out of either of the 270 WSMs I have owned. Neither have I loaded 150s for any of the loads developed for others. I have worked up several loads with 140s for others, though I have not used them for myself. I just started working up some loads with the 140 grain AB, though I have not been to the range with them yet. I did have one good sub-MOA load with the 140 grain Swift A-frame and Supreme 780, and I may need to look at that again. I have also had promising results with H100V and RL25 and the 140 grain A-frame. I also had a promising result with the Sierra 140 grain HPBT and RL19. Across the spectrum of charge weights, it produced a consistent MOA group. Any of these loads would work well for hunting in northern BC, but I settled on the 130 grain E-Tip because of the bullet, and because it gave me the best accuracy and velocity. I worked with the 130 grain AB, and it was very good, giving slightly better velocity, though the accuracy was not quite as good as the E-Tip. I like the idea of the monolithic bullet for moose and elk, plus it gives an extra measure of confidence should I meet a grizzly in the bush.

 

[DrMike]

IMHO, I would lean towards the 350 Rem Mag or the 35 Whelen.

I tend to agree with you on this choice, and I did carry the 350 RM afield on Saturday. I likely will tend to grab one of these two when going for moose, though I really don't feel undergunned with the other cartridges at appropriate ranges. Most elk can be enticed just a little closer (my average distance is less than 100 yards), as can deer. This area has a lot of forests which makes for close hunting. The 35s just plain work at close ranges, however.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Congrats on the hunt and the story. As I write this you're probably up to you elbows in a moose. What a labor of love :grin:
Let us know all the the details because most of us still have a while till any big game opens so we need a vicarious fix. :wink:
Thank
Greg

 

[JD338]

I agree, the 35 calibers are close range hammers!
I love my M700 Classic 35 Whelen and have shot it out to 300 yds.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Mike, that's for the pick-up story. I about fell out of my chair laughing. :grin: :grin: :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Mike, congrats on the early season Moose! I am pretty envious of you getting to hunt so early in probably the most awesome game country in NA (my opinion). Anytime you would like to escort a young Marine afield, I will shoot you a number!!! Anyhow, you sound like me with all of your rifles and wanting to get them blooded. I have my 358 that needs a real kill, my new WBY 7mm, and my 338 that I haven't hunted with in a long time.

I just moved up to Northern Va, so I am anxious to get my bench set up and start shooting and loading again. I have alot of 225gr Accubonds to try out in my 338. Ultimately, I would like to take it to Idaho this fall for Elk/Deer. Good luck with the hunts, and please take some pictures. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Well, it's up at 3 tomorrow morning. My hunting partner insists on taking his Dodge. I'm certain that no self-respecting moose will come home with me if he has to ride in a Dodge! Now what will I do? There is nothing for it but to make the best of a bad situation.

Anytime you would like to escort a young Marine afield

.

Scotty, I would be privileged to escort you afield. I'll have to ask some of the guide outfitters in the area for a favour.

Sniper, there is constant warfare between me and my "trusty native guide" over our respective choice of pick-ups. I'm buying a Toyota next time just to make him really upset.

Greg, I'm not up to my elbows in moose just yet. Man I ache for two days afterward. This ageing isn't all that it's cracked up to be. If the alternative were so dismal, I'd give up on growing old.

There is a very good chance for a fine black bear tomorrow. I'll make certain to take my camera.

I spent the afternoon designing a television program with a couple of people and teaching an RCMP dog handler how to handload. Now, for some bush time. Man, I love hunting season.

 

[SJB358]

Mike, don't be surprised when I end up on your door step, of course, I will have to drive my Dodge, but hopefully you don't hold it against me too much! Good luck in the morning. Wish you a clear day and some luck.

Always a good day when you can teach somebody to handload! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Thanks, Scotty. You'd find a warm welcome here.

 

[SJB358]

I am sure it would be a trip of a lifetime. Scotty

 

[nodak7mm]

Dr. Mike,

Man thanks for sharing. Growing up in NW MN when mooses were plentiful and a pain in the arse for us farmers. Your story of the one guy getting your truck buried brings back the memory of my brother doing the same thing but with a tractor. 1/2 hr moose hunting, a 1/2 hr of gutting, then rest of the day getting the tractor out...

No, my Dad shot the moose.. I had to help my brother get the tractor out..

Now, WHERE ARE SOME PIX!!!

Rod

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Yea, where are the pic??

I want to see the pic of the buried pick-up!! :grin: :grin: