What caliber for a youth moose gun?

[lokidog]

My daughter is finally showing a spark of interest in hunting, moose, of all things.  Any ideas for  her (13 and 5'2)?  I actually have a Moisin Nagent (7.62X54) that, though a little heavy, is a good shooter and doesn't kick too much.  Thanks.

[bobcat]

Where are taking her for a moose hunt? Not that it matters, just curious. I think if it were me I would get her a 308 and shoot 150 grain Barnes bullets. Although that 7.62x54 ought to work good for moose too. Do you handload for it?

[Axle]

Moose are wimps. Just about any caliber will work.

Shot placement is the focus.

[cohoho]

Moose are wimps. Just about any caliber will work.

Shot placement is the focus.

Really Whimps? 

[Axle]

Quote from: Axle on Today at 10:34:47 PM
Moose are wimps. Just about any caliber will work.

Shot placement is the focus.


Really Whimps? 

Yes, really. Very big, but whimps. They are not stout like elk. Having hunted (and harvested) them a few times and having talked to guides that have hunted them for decades, I can say they are whimpy. I could go on with stories but I've said enough. The only other thing I would add is how good they taste. It is excellent.

[andrew_12gauge]

ive always heard that anything you would use for elk is a good route to go for moose, so i would say there have been a good number of elk that have fallen to kids shooting any caliber from .243 on up so just about any cartridge will do but bobcat may have hit the nail on the head with the .308, or maybe the 7mm-08 i would say that making sure you use a good bonded core bullet or as bobcat said the barnes x-bullet would be more important, its all about penetration on those bigger animal

[GoldTip]

My mother in law has harvested 2 cow moose with a 243 and 100gr bullets.  But she takes only head shots, never misses and has been doing it since before I was born.  She ends up not getting a shot at a lot of critters she see's cuz everything is not "perfect", but when she pulls the trigger, an animal hits the dirt for good.

That being said I would NOT get a 243 for a kid to use on Moose, they don't have the experience,(JMHO) when the adrenaline gets flowing to make precise shot placement, when using a gun that is marginal for the application.  I would agree with the 308win as being a very good Moose gun, but I would probably get the 165gr bullets just for the added penetration.  Not gonna be as flat shooting as the 150's, but your daughter probably shouldn't be stretching the range on her first big game animal anyway, especially something as large as a Moose.

Also, I would disagree with the statement that Moose are wimps, I've hunted them every year for the last three years, and they seem to be not much different than any other big game animal, elk, deer or bear.  Make a marginal shot and the chase will be on, hit'em right and they go nowhere, just like any of the others.

[Dipsnort]

Also, I would disagree with the statement that Moose are wimps, I've hunted them every year for the last three years, and they seem to be not much different than any other big game animal, elk, deer or bear.  Make a marginal shot and the chase will be on, hit'em right and they go nowhere, just like any of the others.

True that a marginal shot could mean trailing a moose for a long ways but Axle is right, a good shot on a moose will drop it like a sack of rocks in short order.  I wouldn't hesitate to use a lighter caliber on moose than elk.  They are nowhere near as tough as elk.  Not even close.

[lokidog]

Thanks for the advice, and yes Bobcat, I have reloading dies for it though have not as of yet.  I have a box of original Barnes X bullets in 165 grain that would probably work well.  I bought two boxes of 180 BTSP to try for deer a few years ago and still have a bunch as well.

It is a ways to go yet as she has to get through Hunter Safety (not sure where we'll find a class that is anything close to convenient), then get on the tag wagon.

[longrange7mm]

i would suggest the howa 2 in 1 chambered in the 308 or 7mm 08 both would be and excellent caliber for a youth/woman and there nikko sterling scope is a great scope for its price range. that is included in the combo check them out they're surprisingly affordable

[BLKBEARKLR]

Quote from: Axle on Today at 10:34:47 PM
Moose are wimps. Just about any caliber will work.

Shot placement is the focus.


Really Whimps? 

Yes, really. Very big, but whimps. They are not stout like elk. Having hunted (and harvested) them a few times and having talked to guides that have hunted them for decades, I can say they are whimpy. I could go on with stories but I've said enough. The only other thing I would add is how good they taste. It is excellent.

Wow, have hunted well over a dozen moose, kind of have to disagree with that statement as I am sure we all have stories. I know of one that was hit 4 times with a 300 win mag 200 grains, all in the boiler room and nver found that animal. It was shot from about 50 yards. I have shot them with everything from a bow, pistol, ML and rifle. So kind of unconvinced about them being wimps.

[longrange7mm]

Also, I would disagree with the statement that Moose are wimps, I've hunted them every year for the last three years, and they seem to be not much different than any other big game animal, elk, deer or bear.  Make a marginal shot and the chase will be on, hit'em right and they go nowhere, just like any of the others.

True that a marginal shot could mean trailing a moose for a long ways but Axle is right, a good shot on a moose will drop it like a sack of rocks in short order.  I wouldn't hesitate to use a lighter caliber on moose than elk.  They are nowhere near as tough as elk.  Not even close.

moose are whimps/ they are in the aspect that they offer a vital shot the size of a 5 gallon bucket. with a small bullet like these calibers offer better make sure of every thing down to were his near side leg is placed!!!! you will never blow through a major bone on a moose with these rifles. and also consider there low heart rate!!  a bad shot will take alot longer for the animal to expire. lokidog if you are going to take her on an alaska hunt were you have a better opportunity i dont think alot of guides will allow anything less than a magnum cartridge in that case i would get her a 300 win mag with a muzzle break it will kick less than the 308

[rasbo]

I wouldnt have a problem using a hundred grain core lokt 243..

[Intruder]

260 or 7mm-08... shootin a high quality bullet.

[Machias]

At her age it's not sooo much about which type of bullet it's about shot placement with whatever caliber you end up deciding.  My vote would be for a .308 min, just my opinion.  However at her size the hardest part for kids, boys or girls is the front end of the gun.  That's why the single shot H&R with a synthetic stock is perfect for young kids, safe and very easy for them to hold steady and shoot.