would like to hear from folks who actually shot a moose with the 30-06 cartridge, distance of the shot, presentation of the moose, ie, broadside, face on, quartering, etc. Interested in whether it was a factory or handload cartridge and what the bullet weight and construction was.
I have a moose hunt in Alberta scheduled for next fall

If you are concerned about adequacy of your cartridge choice, Don't be concerned. the .30-06 is considered a fully adequate moose cartridge in Canada, and was the cartridge of choice in my father's generation as the "big gun" compared to the .303 British or .30-30 or .300 savage.

I've shot most of my moose with a .308 winchester, which is the exact same bullet as your .30-06 with a very slightly less velocity. 100 fps, or 50 yards worth.

If you use a .30-06, (or a .308) with any decent cup and core bullet of 180 grains, or any bonded, partition or all copper bullet of 165 grains, you need not fret. I've killed several moose with 180 gr. Nosler partitions at 250 yds or so with my .308 rifles. Double lung penetration, ( a couple of exit wounds) quick kills, short death dash. Similar results with closer shots from Remington Cor-lokt 165 gr, even when big tough humerus bones were hit on the way to the vitals.
I wouldn't recommend .308" 150 grain bullets for moose, unless perhaps the all-copper HP versions like Barnes TSX.
My last moose was killed with a .450-400 3" Nitro Express double rifle. Not because I needed to use such a big bore, but because I wanted to. 90 yds, double lung shot. 400 gr. bonded bullet. It fell over with about the same 20 yard death dash as any others that I've shot with the .308.

I've used the 06 some and the Barnes tax is fantastic!
I'd use the 180g on moose and the 165g on the smaller stuff. No I can't defend that opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
would like to hear from folks who actually shot a moose with the 30-06 cartridge, distance of the shot, presentation of the moose, ie, broadside, face on, quartering, etc. Interested in whether it was a factory or handload cartridge and what the bullet weight and construction was.
I have a moose hunt in Alberta scheduled for next fall

ELK son think ELK! if you have ever killed a panhandle Elk your 06 with same load will be fine. If you can shoot it will work.

Moose are easy to kill, they just have to decide themselves when they are dead.
I've shot them with a whole range of cartridges, never had a problem.
I have guided maybe 8 women, who used the 7-08 with 150 corlok bullets. All were one shot kills. They hit them in the lungs, I tell them good hit. The moose may stand a moment until it dies, or walk a few yards and lay down and die.
Then, plenty of idiots take a wild shot with a big magnum, then chase and shoot, chase and shoot more. They tell how tough a moose is. One shot and let them realize they are dead on their feet, is way better. You will not find a drop on the spot consistently moose cartridge with anything but a CNS hit.

It takes a while for that big chest cavity to fill. Moose are rather phlegmatic in nature and rarely react like more "nervous" ungulates. Unless you hit the CNS, close to it, or break them down, you usually don't get a dramatic reaction. Several times over the years I have seen moose actually try to go back to feeding after a solid lung hit.

I have personally taken many moose over the years, 50+, and guided for them for more than 4 decades...the .30-06 will get the job done just fine. Put a good bullet in the right spot and that will do it. No big surprise there...other than you may need to wait a little longer, from time to time, before they do a slow pirouette and tip over.

Howdy,

When I hunted in Newfoundland for moose I asked the outfitter what caliber he saw his hunters bring most often. Of course there were many different calibers but the '06 was by far the most commonly used rifle for moose. In fact all the guide's rifles were 30-06.

In my experience I think you'd find a 200 NP at 2650-2700 FPS to be very good moose medicine. Ain't no flies on the 180 TSX either. I shot TSX bullet from an '06 stem to stern on a big bull elk. He just fell over dead at the shot.

Mark

Yes the, 30-06 is the most common choice.
I suggest that if you are not hunting with an outfitter and have to recover the moose yourself, that you use a cartridge bigger the 30-06. With a 30-06 type of cartridge the moose may be able to find a hole, gulley or swamp to die it.

I have shot a few moose but none with the 30-06 and neither have any of my buddies but in my opinion it is suitable with good 180gr bullets and a well placed lung shot out to 250yds or so. We al hunt with more powerful cartridges because the ranges can sometimes be long in the cutovers and speed and trajectory are your friends, 7mm's up to the 338's are all good.
BB

Shot a moose with Barnes tsx bullets out of a 30.06. worked just fine. I shot it brought side and then 2 mire times when it turned and wanted to run away. Died within 30yards.

The only issue might be the quality of the bullets. You should choose a harder bullet, just to get some penetration, in my opinion.

Best regards
Dennis

Moose have been shot with a 243 up to a 458 Lott with one shot kills