I drew a cow moose tag this year ,My question is all my hunting buddies want me to use my pistol(Ruger 454) but i'm not shure what to use. My rifles are 270win.(actually the wifes,260rem.(again the wifes),375ultra.(with weaver 3-10 grandslam scope),My 338 win. is not scoped now so that's out, what would you guy personally take out of that list? Offhand with iron sights i shoot around 5inch group at 25 yards with the 454 is the main reason i'm not shure if i should try it. I've been to this hunting area and would more likely than not be able to get a close shot. Took the 375 to the range the other day and its dead on at 200 and i really doubt i'll even have to shoot half that far. Anyway what are your thoughts?

Mate, you've got all the gear you might need.

It's your choice.

Concidering how hard it is to draw the tag, Take the .375, even a .270 w/ 160grNP is going to give you a shot out to 250yds or so, a bit farther than your .454.

Since I've never drawn a moose tag in the lower 48, I'd definitely want to enjoy it. I'd take the Ruger for a couple of days, and if I couldn't get a shot of 25 yards or less then go to the 375.

Personally, I'd take the .270 Win. Load it with 150 gr. Nosler Partitions to somewhere between 2900 & 3000 fps., zero for 200 yds., and you've got it made. Moose aren't that hard to kill. Place your bullet right behind the shoulder, through the lungs, and the show will be over. It's as simple as all that..........

AD

I would take the 375 and the 454 together. If you get close enough to use the 454 then use it.

I have this same combo and will be doing the same myself for moose. When I am not bowhunting for moose.

Billy,

I don't know how often you have the opportunity to hunt moose, but if it's not often, I'd use a rifle. The handgun will limit your effective range to shoot. I'd take a scoped rifle and have no worries. If a moose steps out at 200 yards, you can take her with the rifle, the handgun you'll have to sneak closer and may loose your only chance. Good luck to you this season.

Sevens

Can't you move a scope to the .338????
You're gonna cry great big tears if you pack the pistol and the only moose you see is 150 yards away.

RMiller has the right idea. Take the 375 ultra and the 454. I have been close enough to several moose in Montana [no tag ] th hit them with a revolver. However in Alaska the shots at moose would have required a rifle. Just carry both, that way you have a choice.
A lot of the game I have shot with a pistol has been under the same circumstances IE I had a rifle with me as well.

I agree with Allen- take the 270 with the 150PT
and holster the 454 if you get a 50yd or less shot
The 375 is total overkill for a cow moose

The .270 is plenty, but use heavy .270 bullets, not the lightweight ones. A heart/lungs shot will work fast, specially if you stay outside of a 75-yard safety zone around the animal. I prefer to shoot at least from a little over 100 yards away to avoid scaring moose.



The .338 is my favorite, but I prefer a Leupold Vary-X III 2.5-8x. On the .375 I would prefer a 2x7, or maybe a 1.75-6x.

Of what you have available I'd try put a scope on the .338! That you said it's out, and the .375 is zero'd then having a gun that will work isn't really the issue.
How well do you shoot the .375 & or the .270? If you shoot the .270 the best then pick a good 150 gr. bullet and use it. If you are proficient with the .375 why not use it? Yes it's bigger than needed but then again I prefer to use more than whats needed for most of my hunting I guess.

I am facing an interesting problem myself that's similar. I chose to use my .338WM for an elk hunt this fall. When I took it out to check zero it was at least 6" off to the right. When I started adjusting the windage it seemed to have little effect. The good thing is that I have some other rifles that will work.

.270 with "heavy" premiums, or move a scope to the .338.

Mike

I have to agree with the .338 recommendations (put a scope on it). If not the .338, then use the .375. A bigger hole in the lungs will work faster than a smaller hole, and the .375 with good bullets will break the animal down quicker if that is needed, even if shot from diffecult angles. Any of your options would work, but the .375 will break more stuff faster than your other options. (I am a person who does not understand the concept of overkill...no such thing exists.) It sounds like you are going to have fun...!

Take anything you have mentioned unless you think there is a possibility of a Bear encounter, then the .375 if there is. The one Moose I have taken was with a .340 Wby, the outfitter seemed to think stopping him in his tracks was important in the middle of the Farewell Burn of Alaska. He didn't want the possibility of cutting up the animal in the water. Good luck and good shooting.

270...

First choice is pistol or rifle? I'm not a big fan of carrying both. To me that is just extra weight to carry. To me hunting with a handgun or a bow involves a whole different mindset on how you hunt. That is the fun of it and the satisfaction if you are successful is partly based on the risk you take of having to limit your shots. Carrying a rifle as well sort of cheapens that IMO. If your choice is to hunt with a rifle then I would agree with Brad and Allen. Load your .270 with good, heavy for caliber bullets and have a blast.

Jeff

The 375 or 270, it makes no difference as they are both capable moose cartridges.Shoot what you shoot best. I have taken 2 moose with my 270 and was not disappointed.

If you care to test the amazing flexibility of the 375 Ulta on this hunt, load 59 grs of XMP5744 behind Hornady 225 gr PSPs for 2650 fps. This is a tack driver in mine and the 225 is very tough with good expansion and penetration. recoil is much less than the 338, and it will perform like a hot 35 Whelen load...perfect for moose.

billy375:
Even though moose in the Lower 48 tend to be smaller than the Alaska/Yukon variety, I'd opt for putting a scope on the .338 and use that in conjunction with a quality bullet. Yes, you could go with the .375 with no problem as well. Your .270 would be my 3rd choice with a heavy, quality bullet as well. In any case, I'd recommend "chucking" the handgun. Too much weight & it'll only get in the way. On top of that, I get the impression that it's quite difficult to draw moose tags in most of the Lower 48. Why take any chances?
Those are my opinions for whatever they're worth. The .338 as a 1st option. Later, bear in Fairbanks

I've decided to just take my 375 rum and leave the pistol at home. Good power,range,very hard to get a tag, are some of the reasons. At the range the other day i shot my 454 and it just reminded me how much better off i would be with the rifle. After season i will post some pictures for all to see