Moose ?

[Vince]

Guy,

I don't see why the 180 grain load you have worked up wouldn't work.
Of course the .375 would be cool too but either rifle should work. Go git ' em!

Vince

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[Oldtrader3]

I figure the .338 Federal or the .35 Whelen are just about tops for Moose. Or any caliber in that power range. Stubby little cartridge with over 3000 fps of energy.

 

[gerry]

I have never shot a moose over 100 yards or so, most have been under 50 yards because of thick bush here. Your 220's will do the job at the ranges where moose are commonly taken. If you are worried about it then by all means load a good spitzer bullet and go hunting. A good pack that can handle over 100 lbs of weight is a must along with a good knife, a small hand saw and some rope to tie everything to your pack frame. Not too much more than that is needed other than some extra food and water since packing one out is hard work

Several experienced moose hunters here. Info/advice please?

I know the Big Moose are way up north in Alaska and the Yukon, but frankly I'm quite impressed with the Shiras here in Washington, Idaho and BC.

Ranges I should be prepared for ?

220 gr Nosler Partition & .30-06 ?

270 gr Nosler Partition & .375 ?

Any other pointers, other than having Scotty along to pack the antlers & meat out for me? :wink:

Guy

 

[Osprey78]

A good pack that can handle over 100 lbs of weight is a must along with a good knife, a small hand saw and some rope to tie everything to your pack frame. Not too much more than that is needed other than some extra food and water since packing one out is hard work

Or...just bring a fork and a knife, you'll just have the antlers to contend with, then. :lol:

 

[DrMike]

A good pack that can handle over 100 lbs of weight is a must along with a good knife, a small hand saw and some rope to tie everything to your pack frame. Not too much more than that is needed other than some extra food and water since packing one out is hard work

Or...just bring a fork and a knife, you'll just have the antlers to contend with, then. :lol:

Allow a few months, or invite a gang to accompany you. :shock:

 

[JD338]

Guy,

Good luck on the draw. I have 12 points for WY. I am buying a point this year and going to apply starting nest year. Pretty sure I'll bring the big 338 RUM since that is what I bought it for. 250 gr PT at 3000 fps should do the job near or far.
Either your 30-06 or 375 H&H will work well. The 220 gr PT should get you out to 250-300 yds if necessary.

JD338

 

[sask boy]

Guy, again either one of your rifles the -06 or the 375 H&H will be more than adequate to do the job. I would personally use the 375 Hurt & Hurt but that is just me!!
PS. I went on my first Moose hunt when I was 15 years old and I am now 60. I have not missed too many years in those 45 years but one thing I can say is I still have never shot a bull moose. I have shot numerous cows but always seem to help get the bulls out but have not hit one. I hope that if it works out & I go with DrMike & gerry that I don't jinx them as I have only seen three during a open season in all those years and had one shot which I missed :evil:!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[maverick2]

Guy -- I've been in on a lot of moose hunts (all in Idaho) and Bear's comment about shooting ranges varying on habitat really rings true. In Idaho, the two biggest concentrations of moose are in SE Idaho and in the Panhandle. The terrain in SE Idaho (quaken asp pockets spread out among sage brush covered ridges and slopes) contributed to spotting from a long ways away, and doing the classic spot and stalk. The majority of the bulls I saw were fairly easy to get within 2-300 yards and would allow plenty of time to set up for a shot (though there was one monster bull that I could never get within 1000 yds of.) In the Panhandle, it's hard to see more than 100 yards, and you're very likely to be shooting among/thru trees and brush. I carried my 25-06 when hunting for moose in SE Idaho (because I was confident in my expertise with that rifle and knew I'd likely have plenty of time to set up for a head/neck shot) and carried my .375 H&H when hunting for moose in the Panhandle because I was likely shooting into the body mass. I do know that those things can absorb an enormous amount of energy w/o showing much -- saw a buddy shoot a nice bull in the chest with a .300 mag, and the bull barely flinched. Only caution I'll throw out there is that if you see one break into a trot, you'd better decide if you want him and take action fast, because they will cover ground fast and aren't likely to stop once they decide to boogie.

 

[SJB358]

I took my one and only moose with a 160 Barnes from my old 7mm Rem Mag. Took two shots, but seemed to work just fine. Really would like to hunt moose somewhere again in the future.

I'd be happy with anything I shot decently above my 264 Win Mag..

 

[super-7]

I'm a lucky hunter cause we can ussually draw a cow tag every 2-3 years depending on the zone chosen. I went on my first moose hunt at 15 in 1990, and in 1994 our local zones opened up for draw. So over 25 years give or take if I haven't pulled a tag either Dad , a BIL , Nephew, or just a buddy has pulled a tag. And some years been in on more then one hunt. Ya I'd say we have thinned the population a little over the years but in these prairie zones with no natural predators the moose do very well .
If I were you Guy I'd pack the '06 and the 220 PT's ( since you have them loaded up) and go hunting.
Nothing wrong with the 375 and the NO. 1 but I like to be able to reload and put another one in an animal as quick as possible when needed. Mind you likley not needed with that combo very often. Lol.
From most of pics over the years I'd assume you would be a mountain/ foothills type if hunt ? You should still be able to keep your shots to below the 300 yrd mark. We have only ever taken one in all those years at over 200 yrds . The rest have been under a 100, with some the distance could be given in feet instead of yards.
Good luck on drawing a tag and look forward to a picture show like ussual.

Oh the best way to ruin a good moose hunt is to shoot a moose!

 

[6mm Remington]

A good pack that can handle over 100 lbs of weight is a must along with a good knife, a small hand saw and some rope to tie everything to your pack frame. Not too much more than that is needed other than some extra food and water since packing one out is hard work

Or...just bring a fork and a knife, you'll just have the antlers to contend with, then. :lol:

Allow a few months, or invite a gang to accompany you. :shock:

Or invite a few like me with strong backs and weak minds! :lol: People who would want to be there just for the experience.

 

[maverick2]

Only caution I'll throw out there is that if you see one break into a trot, you'd better decide if you want him and take action fast, because they will cover ground fast and aren't likely to stop once they decide to boogie.

By the way, when they break into that "very determined" trot, I'm not sure if it's worse when they are running away from you, or towards you. If the former, you know they are going to be out of sight and range pretty quickly (I've seen this a lot), and if the latter, be prepared for an awe-inspiring display of power and destruction (I've incurred this once). Very cool animals to be in and amongst.

 

[Osprey78]

Only caution I'll throw out there is that if you see one break into a trot, you'd better decide if you want him and take action fast, because they will cover ground fast and aren't likely to stop once they decide to boogie.

Hahaha. Notice how I mentioned my wife's moose...it got away from me because of this exact reason- the day before...

 

[wildgene]

...my rather limited experience shooting moose learned me a couple of things...

...they're big...

...& they're mostly hollow...

...you've got a heart the size of a basketball laying in the bottom of a 55gal. drum, you want to kill the basketball, not the 55gal. drum so you aim @ the bottom third, in the neck the spinal cord, major blood vessels are down in the lower part of the neck, everything in the top 1/2 is cords, muscles, tendons, hide & hair...

 

[Guy Miner]

Good to know... Helps with shot placement...

 

[Thebear_78]

Gene is right you can nearly miss a moose shooting low and hit the heart. Their chest rapidly tapers between their massive front legs. Probably less than a foot across where the heart sits. Their lungs are HUGE! The hunp makes their body appear deeper than it really is. A lot of people shoot them higher than they should, the spine dips pretty low near the shoulder.


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[DrMike]

A lot of people shoot them higher than they should, the spine dips pretty low near the shoulder.

True, dat. I've spined more than one moose when I meant to puncture the lungs. They were designed by a committee; and while someone made a good choice on the quality of the muscle (for gustatory satisfaction), they sure put them together funny. :?

 

[SJB358]

A lot of people shoot them higher than they should, the spine dips pretty low near the shoulder.

True, dat. I've spined more than one moose when I meant to puncture the lungs. They were designed by a committee; and while someone made a good choice on the quality of the muscle (for gustatory satisfaction), they sure put them together funny. :?

I'm telling ya, I'd love to have the opportunity to moose hunt once every couple of years. Those big steaks sure are good. I'd even cull the ugly ones for you fellas that like big, even horns. I'll take the young ones!

 

[DrMike]

A lot of people shoot them higher than they should, the spine dips pretty low near the shoulder.

True, dat. I've spined more than one moose when I meant to puncture the lungs. They were designed by a committee; and while someone made a good choice on the quality of the muscle (for gustatory satisfaction), they sure put them together funny. :?

I'm telling ya, I'd love to have the opportunity to moose hunt once every couple of years. Those big steaks sure are good. I'd even cull the ugly ones for you fellas that like big, even horns. I'll take the young ones!

That's what Mama orders each year. "Get a two-year-old, honey." And like the obedient husband that I am... Well, I try. :grin:

 

[SJB358]

I know you do buddy. Sounds like mama has her priorities right!