Point 1.... get closer.

Point 2.... the shooter is more important than what is being shot. Use the largest thing you feel comfortable with. FACT: A hit with a .270 is better than a miss with the latest super-mag.
That being said I'll conclude by suggesting you stalk as close as you can. As for guns I'd think any of the Magnum 30's, 338's, and 375's should work with proper bullets and shot placement. Then again, I've never hunted moose...

Todd E... I understand where you are comming from on the reloading part, perhaps I missunderstood you and didnt explain myself, I generialy dont reload a cartridge to a higher pressure because I enjoy them for what they are/were, and not out of fear I am going to have a case rupture. I am sure my 9.3X74R would scream if I ever leaned on it.
Yes I am in college, but dont own any doubles unfortunatly. I do however own a number of custom rifles, and starve as a result from them. Perhaps one day ill get my priorties strait... not
take care

You know, it's late and I'm tired and I should probably keep my big yap shut but... this thread (and the mentality I believe it represents) has got me a bit aggravated... 400 yards... on a Moose? C'mon, you're a poor-hunter if you can't get yourself closer than that on a logging slash. I hunt slashes frequently as they're a good place to get elk here in Montana. Three years ago I got onto a herd on a slash at 500 yards... I figured out where they were going to bed and busted a bull at less than fifty yards. I'm not saying there aren't situations where you can't get any closer than 400 yards, but I'd bet a molty prune they're darn few!

Okay, I've got that off my chest.

BA

Dr J- I don't own a Weatherby in a 340.

Mine have all been off M70 a Pre-64 and a Post 64 and I also use a M700.

All barreled by Dan Dowling of Palisades Co. 970-434-0525

All 4.5 weight Schneider tubes cut between 23" and 25".

All have shot extremely well, all cut without free-bore.

Get yourself a action (M70 or M700 I don't care long mags obviously)

Mail it off to Dan, have him wrap a good piece of African walnut around it and you'll have a shooter. He'll hang whatever you like on it for a tube but I'd go Schneider and a 4.5 weight this will be just a bit under .7 at the muzzle. It'll hang great, shoot great, and carry very nicely!

Just my thoughts, I don't think it'll cost you much different than a new Wby. Perhaps a bit, but it would be worth it in my opinion.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Brad,
I knew, like with any post, someone with a "tunnel vision" mentality would show up and criticize me on something....distance, cartridge seleciton, whatever.
as for your comment on shortening the range. possible....but moose season in Maine only lasts about 1 week. moose hunting is not in my local area (300 miles away) so pre-season scouting to determine a particular moose's lifestyle is not practical. so you have to take a shot when it is made available. with the right equipment and practice, a 400 yard shot on an animal the size of a small car is not unrealistic and unsportsmanlike. what are we going to do in lets say 50 years and new,better, weapons are developed......give up hunting all together because it is not very sportmanlike? if that is the case...let's go back to throwing stones or tangling one-on-one with our quarry using only our bare hands....there....even the playing field. so....common...lets get on the same bandwagon and help each other out rather than judge each other with our lack of understanding each others ideas.

there, got that off my chest.

Dr. John... my last post was definately a bit "testy!" I actually am trying to help, even though, I agree.. the way my last post read, it wasn't particularly helpful!

We also don't know each other, so that's always bit of a problem! Let me explain myself...

Do you practice in the field regularly, and throughout the summer, at ranges of up to and over 400 yards? Have you used a 340 Wby laying prone to snipe small stuff at distance? Will you be able to put in the time before Moose season with the exact rifle you'll be using so as to become thoroughly comfortable and familiar with it? If you put the time in, learn to dope wind and know when you're having a "bad day" and shouldn't be shooting at range (distance shooting can be very mental), then I'd say to you "go for it!"

Just because you have a rifle capable of 400 yard shots doesn't mean you, me or anyone else has any business taking the shot unless we've payed the price to make that shot, are in the right frame of mind, and the conditions are spot-on-decent for that type of shot.

Certainly moose are big critters... I stalked to within 25 yards of a nice, big bull on the Kenai in 95'... however, their vital zone can easily be missed if the shot gets boggled in any way... a merry-chase and pointless suffering WILL ensue if that's the case.

I'm certain you know everything I'm saying here as you obviously have a lot of experience, so I'm probably being redundant in your case. However, there are a of inexperienced folks who can't handle the latest Ultra-Mag, but who never-the-less own one complete with the 4.5-16X mil-dot scope and bipod... yet they can't hit squat at 150 yards let alone 400. What they've done is convince themselves technology will automatically triumph over nature. As I said, you're obviously not that type of guy...

You're very fortunate to have drawn a Maine Moose tag... congratulations!

Brad Amundson

I would go with a LAzzeroni Titan(.338) or a .338 Laupa Mag, but I would rather shoot him from closer. Save your 400m shots for varminting.

Brad,
well I got a little testy too. I guess I just get frustrated when I post a question and people don't answer the question posted and try to see it their way. just one time I wish that posts could make it completely through without some type of bashing. oh well, done and over with.

as for what I do. well today I went to the range to test out loads for my 458 win mag using 300gr barnes X, 440gr Cast performance, 500gr RN Hornady, and 500 Barnes X. my custom built rifle (26" floated barrel, glassbedded, 1917 action) was previously shooting very poorly (8-12" @100yds). figured it was the scope mount. I was right. now grouping 1" @100 with the 300grainers and about 1/4" @50yds with the 500 gr RN. works great so I am now happy. was worried for a while there. no I am not recoil sensitive accuracy wise. but my shoulder IS sore. that is the name of the game with these high power big bores. this will end up being my moose gun with the 300gr X bullet @2700f/s. shoots flat out to about 300 yards with a 220yd zero. this will also be my deer round.

I have to clear up a statement. I do not have a permint yet. drawing is first week of June. just getting ready in case.

I shoot quite a bit. summer time about every other week at the range. we had a 400 yard range which is getting extended to 600 yards.

sorry about the Short fuse.
I will not be getting the 340 alaskan....24" barrel.....may as well get a 338 win.

Hey Doc, that's great news about the 458 Win! Sounds like you're up to the shot if it presents itself!

Where are you in school?

My retired dad is a Maine resident... Winter Harbor. I Spent a good part of my youth in Maine... wonderful state!

Best Regards,

Brad

Not all moose hunting(or elk hunting for that matter) occurs in heavy timber.I hunt my moose in farmland where there are many open fields and getting closer is not always possible due to lack of cover.I myself use my 300 ultramag and have had to take moose at longer distances with very good results.

The best 400 yard moose rifle? A 30 30 and 300 yards of imagination.

Cant wait to try out my ne 376 steyr on these critters! Actually Ive found a 300 WM to be more than adequate in the past. I figure the short barrel will make it easy in the thick stuff. I dont know about the 400 yard thing. Most of the drainages we hunt 200 yards is probably the max visibility for a clear shot. Most are a hell of a lot closer than that.

------------------
Happiness is a warm gun

Dr. John: Listen to the posts from Ray Alaska, Rockhead, and Brad. At the rifle range 400 yards is fine, but in the field while moose hunting, there a too many variables at 400 yards to ensure a well placed shot and a humane kill.
Opinions vary, but, I think you should be planning and practicing on sub 200 yard shots, and take only those. Moose are tough, and a wounded /lost moose is a hell of a sad waste. Just an opinion...
CDW

[This message has been edited by Woodrow (edited 04-22-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Woodrow (edited 04-22-2002).]

a 400 yard moose isn't all that hard to hit..about like a 200 yd deer..the only two problems are KNOWING that he's 400 yards..not 300..or 450....and getting a good rest..i'm assuming you can hit what you're shooting at of course..you can assume the same about me..*S*...personally..i think a 340 is a waste of powder..i love my .338

My choice would be my 375 Rem Ultra Mag with 270 grain barnes bullets coming out of my Rem 700 LSS topped off with a Leupold 3-10x40. I have however shot moose at 250 yards with my 270 and at 60 yards with my bow. Shot placement is key!

But to answer your question, the 340 Weatherby be an excellent choice.

[This message has been edited by Lobstick River (edited 04-23-2002).]

400 yards is not a long shot for the .340 nor the .338! either of those cartridge will deliver a over ton of energy with a 225 gr. partition. sighted with a 200 hundred yard zero you will be 22' low at 400.get a solid rest, put the horizontal crosshair on the top of his back and Boom!
you will be eating bullwinkle for months!
I own a couple of weatherby rifles and the quality is excellent but... the increase in velocity is mostly due to the 26" barrel on the .340 compared to the 24" on the .338
you don't get a whole lot of added performance for the expense of a weatherby cartridge. the good news is weatherby now makes the mark 5 in standard calibers as well. buy the .338 and practice the long shots. and go get a moose. good luck

Dr. John,

I have seen a few large bulls dumped at long range.(300-450yards). IMO,I think that a 300Win.Mag or a 300 Wby would be the best choice using 200 gr. bullets. They will kill a moose just as dead as any .338 and are easier to shoot.
If you got a bull and he is aways off, he should not be a problem to beam with the range finder and have time to get a good rest or set up shooting sticks.
What ever you decide to use, if you get a shot and it is going to be long, don't hesitate to pump a round or two more into him even if the first one looked good.

Daryl

I shot Fred Bouwman's Ruger .338 this weekend. Beautiful rifle, very accurate even with commercial ammo. the rifle will be perfect for the hunt in quebec which is very similar terrain to Maine (I've been to the maine bush)

If the Quebec moose sticks his nose out in front of Fred it will be down. (and I will be carrying..)

If I had to shoot a moose at 400 paces, I would want a 340, or maybe more, IMHO.

Good luck and good shooting