Moose Rifle Choice

[Idahotrophyhunter]

Found out I drew a shiras cow moose tag here in Idaho (southeast) - pretty excited. I figured without question I would take my .375 ruger, but down deep I am really feeling nostalgic to my .270 because of all the animals it has killed...Which One would you guys pick?

1. Ruger 77 Hawkeye African, Swarovski z3 3-9x36, 260 Nosler Accubonds at 2800 FPS, Approximately 3/4" 3 shot group at 100 yards.

OR

2. Custom English Walnut stocked Weatherby Vanguard .270 winchester, Burris Signature Select 3-10x40, 130 Nosler Partitions at 3100 FPS, 3 shots in practically the same hole at 100 yards (Also has killed 4 elk with 5 shots)

Decisions, Decisions?????/

 

[DrMike]

Either will serve you well for Shiras moose. Flip a coin and let the decisions be a surprise for each of us. :grin:

 

[sask boy]

ITH, you could go with either one as I have killed Moose with the 375 Hurt & Hurt but have killed most of them with exactly what you mentioned last the 270 win with the 130 Partition.
The 270 win still my all time favourite :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[gerry]

Both will work well but I would go with the 270 Win myself, much easier to shoot well in the field and plenty of power for moose if you put a bullet in the right place.

 

[hubcap]

.270 with 160 PT,s at 2825. The vanguard with the 24 inch barrel will do that easy.

 

[FOTIS]

1. Ruger 77 Hawkeye African, Swarovski z3 3-9x36, 260 Nosler Accubonds at 2800 FPS, Approximately 3/4" 3 shot group at 100 yards.

 

[big rifle man]

Having shot a moose at 150 yards with an 06 shooting 180 grain partitions and have him stand there looking at me saying "what do you think your'e doing" and then firing a second shot in the same spot (behind the left front leg right where it's supposed to be) and then have him walk around in circles for a minute or two before he decided to go down I would say as Elmer Keith would, use enough gun. I was lucky in that he fell in a clearing. If he had decided to walk a distance, getting him out of the area I was hunting would have been a nightmare.

 

[gerry]

That is normal for a lung shot moose no matter what round you use. They normally don't go very far after being hit well, the 270 Win will do fine.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say you can't go wrong.

Moose are relatively soft despite their great bulk. A good bullet through the lungs broadside and they succumb nicely. It doesn't do to rush the follow up because a wounded moose can cover a lot of ground or head for water fast. Moose are also pretty hard to impress- I've never seen one took of his feet, even with large cartridges. Most commonly they just wander off a few yards and lay down to die if you don't run after them. Make a good shot and wait a few minutes- the old Native guides used to take a shot and then make a pot of tea before the follow up.

I'd probably take the .375...for no reason other than I like it, but I'd not pass on one with a .270 either.

 

[Razorbacker]

Having shot a moose at 150 yards with an 06 shooting 180 grain partitions and have him stand there looking at me saying "what do you think your'e doing" and then firing a second shot in the same spot (behind the left front leg right where it's supposed to be) and then have him walk around in circles for a minute or two before he decided to go down I would say as Elmer Keith would, use enough gun. I was lucky in that he fell in a clearing. If he had decided to walk a distance, getting him out of the area I was hunting would have been a nightmare.

Sorry, but I must disagree with you. The best place to shoot a moose is 10 feet from the truck. :grin:

 

[PJGunner]

Having shot a moose at 150 yards with an 06 shooting 180 grain partitions and have him stand there looking at me saying "what do you think your'e doing" and then firing a second shot in the same spot (behind the left front leg right where it's supposed to be) and then have him walk around in circles for a minute or two before he decided to go down I would say as Elmer Keith would, use enough gun. I was lucky in that he fell in a clearing. If he had decided to walk a distance, getting him out of the area I was hunting would have been a nightmare.

Sorry, but I must disagree with you. The best place to shoot a moose is 10 feet from the truck. :grin:

Never shot a moose but I'll second that motion anyway. :lol:
Me? I'm a believer in in big bullets for big animals. I'd go with the .375. Regardless of which one you take, good luck on the hunt.
Paul B.

 

[DrMike]

I've shot a few moose, discovering in the process that moose are phlegmatic when shot. A dead moose, will look around to determine where the most inaccessible location to expire might be. He will make a beeline for that spot, usually the middle of a beaver pond, river or other inhospitable site. Standing there in the midst of such moose luxury, he will look at you with a note of satisfaction before dropping into his eternal repose. They are easy to kill and hard to get out of their final resting place.

 

[Anonymous]

They are easy to kill and hard to get out of their final resting place.

Yeah- after being involved with a few moose the more appropriate commentary shouldn't focus on rifles to kill moose... it should be "What model come-along should I use to retrieve moose?" :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Yeah- after being involved with a few moose the more appropriate commentary shouldn't focus on rifles to kill moose... it should be "What model come-along should I use to retrieve moose?" :lol:

Ain't that the truth!

 

[wildgene]

...visualize a moose as a 55gal. drum on it's side w/ a basketball in the bottom of it...

...taking out the pump will put them down a lot faster than punching a hole thru the center where it's a whole bunch of "airspace" & having to wait for the drum to fill up from the leaks. Remember to shoot @ the heart (lower third) instead of the moose & it will make life a lot easier, regardless of which rifle you choose...

 

[JD338]

Congratulations on the moose tag! I would go with the 375 Ruger just because.....

I have 10 pp for WY moose and will apply next year. When I draw, pretty sure the 338 RUM will get the nod.

JD338

 

[IdahoCTD]

Congratulations on the moose tag! I would go with the 375 Ruger just because.....

I have 10 pp for WY moose and will apply next year. When I draw, pretty sure the 338 RUM will get the nod.

JD338

Whatever. You better pop the cherry on that .416.

 

[Razorbacker]

...visualize a moose as a 55gal. drum on it's side w/ a basketball in the bottom of it...

...taking out the pump will put them down a lot faster than punching a hole thru the center where it's a whole bunch of "airspace" & having to wait for the drum to fill up from the leaks. Remember to shoot @ the heart (lower third) instead of the moose & it will make life a lot easier, regardless of which rifle you choose...

I think that's an excellent analogy gene. On WTs i use the high lung shot as I believe the bullet, it's fragments, rib shrapnel and hydrostatic wave turn the lungs into a soupy mess immediately, but the high shot also sends a shock to the spine that puts them down. I've never killed a moose but i have killed Elk, on them i do as you suggest go low.
But i must say my preferred shot is the heart, whether with archery, magnum or something in between they always do the same thing. Buck, kick those hind legs out and run like hell. for a short distance.
But to the OP's point, and I think he wants to carry his .270, so he should. But with that .375 he could anchor it with a shoulder shot.

 

[big rifle man]

Don't want to ruffle any feathers but again I'll say use enough gun. I have met people Elk hunting in Colorado with a .243 and their comment is "I'm going to shoot him in the neck." We all know how many perfect shots animals provide. The idea is to have a caliber that works when things aren't perfect. Over 52 years I've seen enough animals hit with both small and large calibers and I'll always opt for the larger caliber. I like to avoid using a come-along if possible.

 

[Richracer1]

I drew an antlered moose tag in 2011 and got my moose, spread measured by ID F&G at 39". I used my 338RUM and 250ABs. The shot was about 175yds and he was standing slightly quartering away. The shot was spot on, he stood there for a second or two then walked about 12' then fell over. The heart had been turned to mush. In the direction head started walking was into timber and I was by myself. So IMO use the 375. As it turned out, I was 110yds from camp and about 25yds from the path we use to drive in on.

I was able to back the truck right to him. LUCKY ME!!!!!!!


This pic is from camp and you can see the stuff he was wanting to get into - nasty retrieval if had made it in there.