The one moose I shot was with a .330 Dakota.

One shot and done.

I have to get back up there after them again.

Here's a meatbull just behind the house. 358 Norma Magnum, pre-64 action, 60+ grains of H-4895 behind a 280 rain Swift A-Frame.

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:


Here's a meatbull just behind the house. 358 Norma Magnum, pre-64 action, 60+ grains of H-4895 behind a 280 rain Swift A-Frame.

Everything in and about that picture is neat

Neat gun too !

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
Interesting thread.

I wonder if the cartridge choice would change if any/all of you were given a once in a lifetime chance to spend several days flying from your home on the other side of the world, have spent several months organizing paperwork for licences etc and have spent $18 - $22k on a fully guided hunt with one of the better operators in a really good area for your once in a lifetime moose hunt with little or no chance of returning.

Not at all. My .325wsm with 200 grain TSX is perfect moose medicine.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Paul, you're right (did I just say that???), hunting Moose in your backyard is different than spending $20K on an outfitted hunt half-way around the world. Maybe a 375?

Biebs,

I take every hunt I do 100% serious. That's even if it is up here and DIY. If I use a gun on one of my hunts here I'm doing it because I feel that it is the best tool for the job. If I didn't think it was the best tool I'd have the one that was. That's just me though.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
I have both a 9.3x62 Sako Black bear and a semi custom 9.3x64 that I am happily using to knock down deer with here in Aus that I would feel more comfortable in using on a hunt for moose.

Assuming you shoot them well they would either be fine choices for moose when paired with an appropriate bullet.

Brett

Custom Brown Precision 375H&H. 1.7 X 10 Swarovski.
One gun one planet.

Ok, I've killed more with my little light weight 35 year old Brown Precision 300 WM. Then any other Rifle.

Ok Ok 2 guns one planet.

Paul,

If a guy asks me about a rifle for a guided AK/Yukon moose hunt and the biggest rifle he's every shot was an '06 I'd say bring that with 180-200 gr premium bullets. on the other hand if the hunter is familiar with heavier calibers I'd tell him to bring something like a 338 of some ilk or 375. Occasionally a moose will give you that raking shot as he's going away and you'll need the big bullet. I've shot them with 300 WM, 338 WM, 375 H&H and WBY, 416 and 458. They all worked fine but the one (actually Mr. Huffaker shot it) did run off 50 yards before he whacked it again dumping it in a good spot. Where a moose goes down is very important as that is where you're going to have to work on him and you don't want to be doing that in a hole somewhere or in the water. The moose shot with the heavier calibers only went a matter of feet if any distance at all. To me the 338's and 375's with the right bullets are about ideal as you can make a fairly long shot with them as well having plenty of anchoring power. Your 9.3x64 would work nicely also. maybe with the 250 TSX.

Mark

If one expends big bucks on a guided hunt of any kind I would expect it to be smart to take the biggest gun he can shoot to take advantage of long shots and close shots..I would recommend a .338 Win if one can shoot it, if not then at least a 30-06

As to the 7x57, Ive shot enough elk with it to be comfortable with using it on Moose..but I know my .338 is better than my 7x57 or my 30-06.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Paul,

If a guy asks me about a rifle for a guided AK/Yukon moose hunt and the biggest rifle he's every shot was an '06 I'd say bring that with 180-200 gr premium bullets. on the other hand if the hunter is familiar with heavier calibers I'd tell him to bring something like a 338 of some ilk or 375. Occasionally a moose will give you that raking shot as he's going away and you'll need the big bullet. I've shot them with 300 WM, 338 WM, 375 H&H and WBY, 416 and 458. They all worked fine but the one (actually Mr. Huffaker shot it) did run off 50 yards before he whacked it again dumping it in a good spot. Where a moose goes down is very important as that is where you're going to have to work on him and you don't want to be doing that in a hole somewhere or in the water. The moose shot with the heavier calibers only went a matter of feet if any distance at all. To me the 338's and 375's with the right bullets are about ideal as you can make a fairly long shot with them as well having plenty of anchoring power. Your 9.3x64 would work nicely also. maybe with the 250 TSX.

Mark

Mark, and all others a sincere thank-you for the constructive contributions.

I have been on "the other side of the fence".
When I was guiding on buffalo prospective clients would ask about "adequate" calibers for our Asiatics. Conscious of the debate surrounding "adequate" calibers I would advise clients almost identically as Mark has posted.

I would much rather be guiding a hunter on buff with a guy who can shoot bug-eyes with his .375 (loaded with an appropriate projectile) than someone carrying a .416 that they are scared of.

I am fortunate that many years of exposure to heavy caliber rifles has rendered me virtually free of concern of recoil from anything under the .577 which is my limit.

As previously mentioned I am quite comfortable, and relatively capable with either of my 9.3's.

Recently, after retiring from guiding on buffalo I sold off excess rifles and others I had little use for and others that were over-lapping application. As a result, for the first time in over 25 years, I do not have a .375 or a .338 in my cabinet therefore the 9.3's.

Thanks to all again for a constructive and educational (for me) discussion

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:


Here's a meatbull just behind the house. 358 Norma Magnum, pre-64 action, 60+ grains of H-4895 behind a 280 rain Swift A-Frame.

really like the rifle and the synthetic stock. really match where you hunt.

9.3X62


9.3X62


9.3X74R (last Sept)


Either of your 9.3s will be just fine.

Antlers, those are great pictures of some very impressive bulls.

You seem to be getting pass-throughs in your 9.3's.
What projectiles are you using, if you don't mind me asking ?

That's an impressive blood trail in the final pic of the bull shot with your 9.3x74.

Thanks for posting.

I've used .30-30ai, .270, .308, .30-06, .30-338, .300wm, .338-06, .338wm, 9,3x62, .375RUM an 45-70. Everyone of them calibers was providing meat. Can't say one is better than the other or worse cept the.....RUM. @374yds with the 270xlc was massively a blow out, exit wasted large amounts of meat with 1 shot. Can't eat bloodshot. Rifle wasn't intended for moose hunting but the size of that bull made me do it. Think the 45-70 was the best meat gun shooting hard cast then the .30-30ai with hard cast....actually moose hit right with a good bullet go down generally on first shot.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
Antlers, those are great pictures of some very impressive bulls.

You seem to be getting pass-throughs in your 9.3's.
What projectiles are you using, if you don't mind me asking ?

That's an impressive blood trail in the final pic of the bull shot with your 9.3x74.

Thanks for posting.

I use 286gr Nosler Partitions in both.

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:


Here's a meatbull just behind the house. 358 Norma Magnum, pre-64 action, 60+ grains of H-4895 behind a 280 rain Swift A-Frame.

Waterrat, I got a chuckle when I saw this post - I misread it - thought you said, "meatball"! Very nice - love mannlicher stocked rifles.

Moose is a big bucket list thing with me also--I must admit, I love my 416 that has done elle and buff. Unless i knew i was going to be shooting over 250 yds I would tend to go with it. My elk rifle is my grandfathers M-70 338 alaskan, that would be second choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
Moose is a big bucket list thing with me also--I must admit, I love my 416 that has done elle and buff. Unless i knew i was going to be shooting over 250 yds I would tend to go with it. My elk rifle is my grandfathers M-70 338 alaskan, that would be second choice.

Moose country can be tough country; I would not want to lug my .416 around. On the other hand, if I did, I would feel good out to at least 300 with it.

The other thing to consider is the stock/metal finish. Alaska can be tough on both.

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
Moose is a big bucket list thing with me also--I must admit, I love my 416 that has done elle and buff. Unless i knew i was going to be shooting over 250 yds I would tend to go with it. My elk rifle is my grandfathers M-70 338 alaskan, that would be second choice.

Almost anything would be fine. Theres quite a few moose killed around here with the 270. A friend last year lugged around a 30/40 krag.

I think the common thread running thru many of these topics is to bring and use a rifle/ cartridge you know and use well. Generally, NO! you do not need to go get a bigger rifle than you usually carry for deer or elk. Sure, theres cartriges like a 243 that are a wee bit small, but the 7mm Rem Mag? great moose gun.

Whitworth Express chambered in .375 H&H and scoped with a Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42. Replaced the walnut stock with a McMillan synthetic and had metal parts coated with Cerakote. Used Federal Premium 250 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws during both moose hunts.

Cajun; perfect rifle/ cartridge / bullet / optic set up.

I use "The Alaskan," a .338WM topped with a matte Leupold Vary-X III 2.5x8. Lately I have settled with the 225-Grain TTSX bullet. This year I will try a Ruger safari version in .338WM that is "dressed" with a McMillan stock (I put the walnut stock away). The scope is a little too long for my taste, since the rifle has a 22" barrel, but quite nice (Leupold 3x9x40 that has an #4 reticle and illuminated dot in the middle).

Best advice I read here was shoot what you shoot well. I loved the story about the man with the 7 x 57.
My preference is 375 H&H or 300 Win Mag

There's a pretty awesome article in the latest Sports Afield by John Barnsness on lethality of various cartridges and bullets for hunting. Lot's of relevance to this discussion.

Brett

Antlers, you my friend are loosing some weight!! Scared to see next years moose pictures! Great bulls!

quote:

Originally posted by Fourtyonesix:
Antlers, you my friend are loosing some weight!! Scared to see next years moose pictures! Great bulls!

Ha! For some context, those pics cover a period of 8yrs (there are 5yrs between the first and second pics) and I have been working very hard at getting fit for about 7yrs.

Started hunting Alaska with my Ruger 77 stainless ,338 win mag but wanted more long range
I BOUGHT one of the first 338-378 weatherby accurate rifles.I.used 250 grain nosler partitions 109 grains of reloader 25 .I.loaned my.338 win mag stainless Winchester to my.friend Loyd he shot seven moose with seven.shots in seven years with my.338 win mag .I.can't wait to get back.to.Alaska love it was There 12 years!

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
Moose is a big bucket list thing with me also--I must admit, I love my 416 that has done elle and buff. Unless i knew i was going to be shooting over 250 yds I would tend to go with it. My elk rifle is my grandfathers M-70 338 alaskan, that would be second choice.

Moose country can be tough country; I would not want to lug my .416 around. On the other hand, if I did, I would feel good out to at least 300 with it.

The other thing to consider is the stock/metal finish. Alaska can be tough on both.

My 416 is a 416 B&M and weighs less than the factory .338. also have factory plastic stock for it. 1x4 trijicon with green post-with leopold QDW mounts.

Antlers,

I recognize the family genetics in those moose. I know you stole them from my old backyard

Mark

I have taken a few moose with a 300 wby. 180 grain partition bullets. Reloads not sure what powder.
Took one at 100 yards another at 350 yards.
Have taken numerous animals with it best medium to large game animal gun.

Same old story, everyone has a favorite, they all work if you can shoot..I have a couple of favorites, the 30-06 and the .338 and the more Ive used them on large animals the more I lean towards the .338 but I shoot both of them equally as well so why not opt for the larger caliber. Same with elk or Afrian PG..plus Im better armed if a mad bear shows up..but like I said its just opinion..If my .338 broke, Id get by just fine with my 30-06 or 30-30 for that matter.

My experience with Moose is they have no nervous system, shoot them with whatever and eat your lunch, they won't die until they decide to, they just keep grazing. Or walk out into the deepest water they can fine and drown themselves!!

I guess everyone has to do it differently. I've only shot one moose, this little one on the Yukon Delta in 2015.

45-70-480 paper patched.

Beautiful photo and rifle Brent, neat way to get it done.

My father has killed 7 of them. 5 in Alaska in the 1960's and 2 in Wyoming. 6 bulls and 1 cow I believe.

He used a 243 once, the 308 WCF twice, the 300 Winchester 2 or 3 times and a 30-40 Krag for the rest of them. His last bull was with a 308, and my Sauer 202.

My goal is to hunt moose in 2018 either at Krasny Bor in Belarus or in Estonia.

Tell us about your rifle!

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:
I guess everyone has to do it differently. I've only shot one moose, this little one on the Yukon Delta in 2015.

45-70-480 paper patched.

quote:

Originally posted by Fury01:
Tell us about your rifle!

Sure. It is a Ballard Number 5, also called the Ballard Pacific. It was a buffalo rifle back in the day, although whether this particular rifle was ever out on the plains back then is unknown. To be sure, if it was, it was at the very end of the era as it a late Pacific rather than a very early one.

Everything on this rifle is original except the wiping rod is a replacement and the lace on leather sling is modern of course. The rear sight, is a midrange tang sight that works with the hooded front post and bead front sight.

I have killed a bunch of antelope with it but not much else. I take it elk hunting from time to time, but those are just long hikes in the high country

Absolutely wonderful pics and rifle Brent, thank you for sharing. Love seeing a classic at work.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus Morrison:
Absolutely wonderful pics and rifle Brent, thank you for sharing. Love seeing a classic at work.

I couldn't agree more. Your pictures have captured the essence of what a hunt should be.

Thanks for the compliments. I wrote a bit more about that hunt and added a lot more pictures to the story. There were some other firsts for me too. Flying in a Beaver float plane was one of them. Anyway, you can read more about it here.
http://bpcr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7311

Mark and I are hoping to reprise that trip with another in 2018 or 2019. I posted a thread about looking for suggestions for another Alaskan location and outfitter at
http://forums.accuratereloadin...8521043/m/9091032132

And ideas or comments are always welcome.