Please humor me;
Givin the choice for a moose hunt, A 338 Win. mag, or a 416 taylor. witch would you take?
I have gun to hunt deer and antelope, bou & bear (blackies) but need to build some thing bigger (on A mauser action) . What do you guys like???
Both will fit on the chosen action.

Thanks
DLH

A .416 for moose? Is this a trick question?

.338 for Moose is the typical caliber. Alot use a .300 but I really like the .338 for moose. Just use a good bullet and it's perfect. No need for the Taylor.

Two of my favorites. I always want both and can't get rid of either. If I was leaning towards a big bore, I'd pick the Taylor. If I was leaning towards a medium bore, I'd pick the 338. Practically speaking, the 338 is a versitile cartridge w/ broad application, maybe even more so than the '06. The Taylor throws a 400gr projectile w/ great efficiency and less powder than the Remington or Rigby, so you get a lot of power out of a smaller package w/ less recoil.

Gary

If one can't do it with the .338 Mag I suspect it won't be done with the .416 either.

Shove some 250 grainers in the .338 and go hunting.

With .416 xxxx a pilgrim is leaving amateur and entering into professional hunter category.

If it was me it would be the .416 hands down for no other reason than I like big bores.

My choice would be NEITHER! I would pick a 375 H&H and have the best of both worlds. The 375 H&H will do everythng the other two will do, ammo is available everywhere and if you ever decide to go to Africa it is the mimium caliber in mst areas for DG. Try finding 416 Taylor ammo in the middle of nowhere!

Lack of readily available ammo doesn't seem to slow down anyone on this board.
Locally the RUM and Winnie short crap is always available while the .375H&H fodder was sold out on more than one occasion.

Given that it would be aSTD length 98, I presume,you cannot knock the versatile .338! but I would also consider the9.3x64. Both would be a quicker handling rig than the .416T

416, it'll do the job and since you asked, you're probably leaning in that direction anyway.

Both will do a great job. I would take my taylor just because I haven't shot anything that big yet with it.

Mauser Rifle As worrying about finding ammo out in no where. I found that once I left the trail head got of the bush plane there was never any ammo to be found anyway.

416 taylor...
if a 338 is good, and a 50% expansion is good, then starting 70% of the way there must be a good start...

besides,.. show me a 400 or 450gr .338 bullet..

jeffe

Show me a 9000lb moose (no monuments please) and I will show you 450gr .338.

Do we dare compare this to the 270 for moose? thread on the Medium Bore forum?

I have never hunted moose, so I'll stay out of this.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
Do we dare compare this to the 270 for moose? thread on the Medium Bore forum?

I have never hunted moose, so I'll stay out of this.

Nope, it'll be like starting the O'Connor/Keith wars all over again.

the 338 has been done many times it is the ideal round for whatever the plural of multiple moose is but i like the idea of the taylor because you will at least be doing some HUNTING with needing to be inside 200 yards to do it right. try to get within 75 yards if you can so you can hear the two thumps the first when it hits and you know the rest.

A 416 Taylor with 350 grain North Forks would be absolutely perfect for moose! And for grizz too.

500 Grains,

Very sensible choice. The 458 case necked down to .416 caliber is brilliant. Combined with any controlled expansion bullet (CEB) it makes for a very fine choice. As far as CEB's are concerned, I would say depending on availability and the country that you are in you will do well with Stewarts, Rhinos, Swifts, TBBCs, Northforks, Woodleighs, etc.

Furthermore, the modest striking velocity that the cartridge provides, makes that the bullet even performs much better - minimal weight loss, no shattering, no over-expansion, intact petals ... yes, and even low jam-pressure.

Quite a few people that I know of here in SA have opted for the caliber - both the cases are readily available as well as an array of bullet choices in .416 caliber.

Take care
Chris Bekker

In 1991 a friend of mine used a 338 with a modest handload behind a 250 Speer Grand Slam
to take a 43" Cape buff in the Zambezi Valley.
I have no doubt a 338 will slay any moose that has ever walked-and you will shoot it more accurately than any 416.

250gr Nosler Partition in .338 plus a big canister of pepper spray as backup.

Moose where? Shiras moose on dry ground? Alaska or Newfie Muskeg?

A 8 pound 338 (complete with scope) is a better gun for moose where the goings tough than any 10 pound 416.

I would do it with a 338 or if you really want a great moose cartridge 9.3x64!

quote:

Originally posted by Paolo9,5x73:
Show me a 9000lb moose (no monuments please) and I will show you 450gr .338.

Paolo,
that's about a perfect comparision... meese don't get that big!!!

but, if i can find some old picks, i can show you an8.5# taylor, or and 8,25# 458 winmag!!

jeffe

Probably the best cartridge for Moose is the ordinary .30-06 with a decent bullet; these are very large animals, but, not very difficult to kill with one well-placed shot. I do carry one of my .338s for most hunting, but, that is due to prefering it, slightly, in Grizzly country where all of my hunting is done. I think that ANY .416 round is over-kill for Moose and too heavy to carry all day in mountain country.

I think that I have probably seen more Moose killed with .303 British, .308 Win. and .30-06 rifles and consider a 180 gr. bullet about ideal for this work. I would not hesitate to hunt anything here in B.C. with an '.06-180 NP and think that most guys would be better off shooting such a combo as bigger rifles kick too hard for most shooters....although I do love my .375H&H and .338 Win. rifles!

I think kutenay is on the money except for the weight of the rifle. Why I like the 416Taylor is that it need weigh no more than the .338WM. You can build a Taylor w/ a #3 contour finished no longer than 22" and it will end up lighter than a 338. If you go one contour heavier than the 338 the 416T will still be no heavier. I can shoot the Taylor even when built light for easy carry whereas the 416Rem, Rigby and 458Win needs a bit more weight to tame their heavier recoil. But as many have posted, the Taylor is way more than needed.

Gary

I can't a taylor that weighs less then my 338wm I tried that after the first few I glass bedded it with .5lbs of lead shot added. It weighs rt at 10bs scope sling and loaded Just right for a rifle that throws a 350gr bullet at 2450fps.

I have shot moose with the 338 WM and find it the perfect moose caliber with enough range and penetration for most any shot that might present itself. The 416 has the power but not the trajectory and you would need a heavier rifle to accomodate the recoil.
bigbull

Well the way that I count; 9 for the .416 vs 9 for the .338!!!

I think I'll watch this thread some more!!


Thanks

DLH

After reading this thread I am sticking with my .416 for elephant. This is silly. A .338 with a 250 gr. bullet for Moose??? Good lord. Do you like overkill and recoil for the hell of it?

A lot of cailbers well kill moose with out a thought.

Yes some of us like overkill last fall I shot to smaller whitetails with my 416.

Some even like recoil for the hell of it not me that is why my 416 weighs 10lbs.

I use a lot of differant calibers on a lot of differant game because I can.

My 30-06 would work just fine on it all. But then I wouldn't have to have many differant rifles or cailbers.

What is silly is thinking one only has to use one perfect rifle or caliber..

quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
After reading this thread I am sticking with my .416 for elephant. This is silly. A .338 with a 250 gr. bullet for Moose??? Good lord. Do you like overkill and recoil for the hell of it?

Overkill? I haven't shot the overkill (600 OK) yet, but I expect there'll be some of those in a hunt later this year.. and recoil? Come on, a 416 taylor kicks like a pissed off 12 ga in a light action ... it's a sweet shooting lovable round with a slow recoil velocity.. in short, it's FUN




550express, 376 steyr and 458 winmag.

http://www.weaponsmith.com/550-exp.html

Then again, I think a taylor is a fine deer and pig gun, might make it for moose and eland....

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by truvelloshooter:
500 Grains,

Very sensible choice.

Thank you. That is very nice to hear after learning that some feel my posts are senseless.

I am not saying the post are senseless. I appreciate everything that was said and all the advice and experiences that have been relayed.

I personally would have never thougt of a .416 as a necessary moose cartride. I know you can use anything.

As I relates to my comment, I was very shocked to see so many tell a new member that at .416 would be there choice. I am trying to make a decision for myself between my .416 for elephant and a bigger cartridge. I am trying to make a decision so that I personally would have a cartridge that 1) It could bail my out of a bind. 2) I would have a cartridge that would be best for a heart and lung shot on an elephant. 3) The best cartridge for a followup shot as the elephant takes off after the heart and lung shot.

When I buy a new gun, I can't buy just some factory gun. I will spend anywhere from $3500 up getting the gun Africa ready. Or I might buy a double rifle that will cost over ten. After spending northward of $30,000 for a Elephant and Leopard combo, I just don't want to spend the extra money if I have the right gun already. But I will if I don't.

As this relates to this thread I would never feel this way about Moose hunting with a .338. I am not into shooting big guns for the hell of it. I am into hunting. I don't want to own a big gun for the hell of it. I love, I mean love to hunt. I will not go without the right equipment or without being prepared.

500, I always think all of your comments have been very valuable and insightful. Now that I slept on it. I think a .458 or .470 double still might to the best gun for my situation. I just was shocked last night, and thought alot of the experiences I heard are coming from guys that just love to shoot big guns for the hell of it. That is just not me. But I need everyones help, so I am sorry If I came off unappreciating. I really do appreciate everyones insight and experiences.

We can get back on topic now. Sorry.

Lightning,

quote:

am not into shooting big guns for the hell of it. I am into hunting. I don't want to own a big gun for the hell of it. I love, I mean love to hunt. I will not go without the right equipment or without being prepared.

IMHO, you must shoot your guns, "for the hell of it" for trigger time, training, and acclimation... I feel that if you don't shoot them you just have them... and if you shoot them, you should hunt them...

I fall into a curious crowd, that will "casually" hunt with stopping rifles... the 416 t AINT a stopping round, but a darn near perfect all around big bore, matching the 404 jeffery (factory loading) in every way.


I also advocate shooting the BIGGEST gun you can handle, for the situation... That is, no point in hunting meese with a 577 nitro, though I might just do it one day.

Just wondering if the "for the hell of it" comment was aimed at me... no real matter, just that I wanted to let you know i probably have more invested in tools to build guns that most people have in their cars, and more $$ and time in bigbores than, well, most...

and I shoot the hell out of them

not in the least upset, just clearing the air

No, nothing at all meant on the "for the hell of it comment". Was just saying I don't have a passion for the big bores that some might. I really like guns. I really love hunting. I agree with you wholeheartly about shooting your guns. I shoot as much as I can. I really see that as part of being prepared for a hunt. That is why I shoot the amount I do.

I don't have a tenth of the experience with big bores that you, 500, or many others in this forum have. That is why I am trying to gain from others personal experiences. Next year will be my first African dangerous game hunt. Grizzly is the only dangerous game I have personal experience with so far.

I have been to alot of research on this subject and thought about it alot. I am just trying to make the best decision weighing all the factors. I really respect and appreciate everyones experiences and opinions. I just want to spend my money based on a need that is really going to make a difference in the field. Again thanks for all the info. I need all the help I can get.

I honed my .375H&H snap shooting on rabbits and hares. NOT I am eternally grateful for them sprinting pilgrims.
From "deer rifle" to a .416 eh, that makes sense.
In Griz country 250gr "Premium" .338 makes some sense, no?

quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
After reading this thread I am sticking with my .416 for elephant. This is silly. A .338 with a 250 gr. bullet for Moose??? Good lord. Do you like overkill and recoil for the hell of it?

BTW, despite this comment that was based more out of amazment, I am going to use a .458 or .470 on elephant. I think it is worth the money for the difference in energy that I will see.

quote:

Originally posted by Paolo9,5x73:
In Griz country 250gr "Premium" .338 makes some sense, no?

I think it makes complete sense. It really makes sense when you are talking about building a gun for moose hunting. A .338 is just so much more flexible for North American hunting.

Add one more vote for the .416 Taylor as ideal moose cartridge, or anything else cartridge. Mine is a stainless Ruger M77 Mark II with a Shilen N0.4 sporter.

With a 22" barrel it will get 2300 fps easily with 400 grainers and 2600 fps with 300 grainers. Mine has a 26" barrel and adds over 100 fps to that.

The best North Fork bullet for moose would be the .416/370gr SPS at over 2400 fps MV.

North Fork softs are the best soft points in the universe.

I found the .458 Win Mag with 500 grainers to be perfectly adequate for moose in Alaska. I used a 500 grain Hornady and it disintegrated inside the moose but killed it instantly.

Alaska-Yukon Moose bulls can weigh a full ton on the hoof.

Why handicap yourself with anything less than the .416 Taylor?

Just use the same marksmanship with the Taylor and you will need only one North Fork bullet.

I love the 300 gr. Woodleigh in my .338 Win for Moose and Elk..It really lays them low...I couldn't ask for a better caliber in the USA and Canada....

I have no doubt the 416 will work as well or better, its simply more powerful any way you cut it.....