bullet for moose response

Thank you, to all who replied to my message. For deer & elk, I shoot 165 gr Honady light magnums though my .30-06. I've borrowed a .338 from a friend for the moose hunt. A .338 cal., 225 gr bullet is about 400 ft p/second faster, and delivers about 1.100 more foot pounds of energy, than a 220 gr. .30-06. I've got 2 & 1/2 months to get familiar with the rifle & make sure it hits where I aim. When I get to camp, I'll follow the advice of my guide. And I sure do hope I will not have to leave any meat North of the border, for fear my moose has mad cow disease.

Even after most of the Canadians moose hunters (successful ones) told you you didn't need one you are still going to borrow a cannon when your perfectly good '06 and the ammo you fire at deer is more than enough!!

I just can't understand the thinking on this one.

Maybe that .338 will pound some sense into your shoulder, head and collar bone. Perhaps you won't develop a flinch that will spoil you for shooting anything. Maybe the scope won't cut your eyebrow but if it does you have only one person to blame and it isn't your buddy for lending you his gun.

Best of luck, post your pictures so we can all admire your moose.

I personally intend on getting one with a 30' 5575 Gold Tip with a Muzzy 100 gr. on it in about a month and a half. If that doesn't pan out the old 30-06 with 165 Hornady Interlocs will have to work their magic yet again.

A J Taylor

I'll have to put my two cents in on the side of A.J. I have used a wide array of mag rifles on elk deer and pig for the last thirty years. I really think the usefulness of most mags is in long range shooting. Longer ranges, in fact, than most of us can shoot reliably. Also, I think they have an application on launching heavy bullets at truly dangerous game like brown bear, grizz and polars. I have used a .300 ICL as my primary elk rifle for about twenty years, only because I like to be able to reach out to about 400 yards or so on occasion for my elk. Most of my buddies use a .270, or a 30'06 with quality loads. I took my first elk with my 30-30 model 94. A moose is large and bony, but I'll bet a '06 will steam right through it at 300 yds or less. ( I once shot a Remington Core-lokt from an '06 nearly through two elk at about 150 yards.) I think anything over a .308 or so will knock a moose down if it's hit properly inside of it's effective range. A quality bullet is a good bet on a large animal when penetration is essential. Having said that; I have been backing away from the Nosler bullets on elk and deer. I have used Remington Core-Lokt on my last few hunts for elk and deer and have found them to be quite accurate, plus, I dont need something with 2000 FPS left over on the far side of an animal. 120 grain Core-Lokt in my .264 Mag have been absolutely perfect for mule deer and blacktails at long range. 180 grains out of the .300 have been great for elk. I highly recommend the Core-Lokt for the hunter who wants maximum value for their reloading components. Anyhow, as we all know, bullet placement is the thing, and getting in range. In other words: Can you stalk an animal, and then hit it?

To all who responded to my original post, & told me the .30-06 was plenty of rifle, I'm taking the .30-06, instead of the .338 after all. It turns out the .338 had a saftey problem. The rifle would still fire when the saftey was on. So, I'm taking the BAR, & I'll be shooting .220 gr. bullets.

Hey Dave,

Makes perfect sense to me that you use a rifle that you're familiar with and most importantly, one that is safe to operate!!!

Put the bullet in the right place, be ready for a follow-up shot and you'll do fine.

Now you are talking. Naturally we want a full report on your incredible success. If you do get to poke one a bullet performance note would also be interesting to other readers I'm sure.

I've read far to many threads, stories and heard to many stories about needing the Bismarck to sink one of these beasts. George has a right to his thinking about wanting a .338 but I've been killing moose for over 30 years, not just hunting them. I only got a .300 Win Mag 3 years ago in a hell of a deal I couldn't pass up. I've never shot a moose with it.

My hunting partner's father-in-law is a native and puts down anywhere from 4 to 6 moose every year. He is now 73 years old. His gun???? A .303 British in what I would consider pretty rough shape.

Best of luck on the hunt.

A J