Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: finnman on July 15, 2008, 08:32:43 AM

Title: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: finnman on July 15, 2008, 08:32:43 AM: I may just be looking for an excuse!!!! The wife has a 7MM-08 and a .308 WIN. Are either of these capable of downing a Toyota sized Bull? Please say NO, I can then have the leverage to get a new rifle!!!! :chuckle:
Jason
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: archery288 on July 15, 2008, 08:35:51 AM: Oh man you gotta have at least a 470 Nitro Express!!!! :tup: :chuckle:

See if that one works for the other half!?! :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: bucklucky on July 15, 2008, 08:38:18 AM: Definately WAY undergunned . Trust me , go buy a NEW gun! At least a 338. You dont want those things getting any further from the road than they already are :chuckle: Does that help the cause :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Gutpile on July 15, 2008, 08:39:15 AM: ~~I'd opt for the 308~~ OOPS! No, you need to upgrade. :rolleyes:

Quote
You dont want those things getting any further from the road than they already are

You got that right!!
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: bucklucky on July 15, 2008, 08:43:19 AM: Make sure you let us know what rifle you buy for the moose hunt. ;)
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Sagedawg on July 15, 2008, 08:43:47 AM: Well the Swedes use the 6.5 x 55 with great effect, and so I think both of your rifles would do the job. With that being said, use heavy for caliber well constructed bullets and you wont have a problem. But if you wanting a new gun, I cant say enough good things about the 338 win mag, its one of my favs, and its smacks them flat. So tell her you both need one..... :chuckle:

Sage
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: finnman on July 15, 2008, 08:56:48 AM: I just LOVE what I am hearing so far! :chuckle:

Any more fine suggestions? :twocents:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Sagedawg on July 15, 2008, 08:58:25 AM: Dont forget your gonna need a new scope for that as well........... :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on July 15, 2008, 09:00:41 AM: Have your wife watch this then ask if she wants a bigger gun....

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHu8KNRZ0bg[/youtube]
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Curly on July 15, 2008, 09:07:40 AM: I bet that guy had to go wipe after that encounter. :yike:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Curly on July 15, 2008, 09:12:03 AM: Do either of her rifles shoot TSX bullets well? The 7-08 with 140gr TSX or the .308 with a 150gr TSX should do the job.

That said, I like the .338 Win mag suggestion above. A moose permit is a good excuse to get a 338WM.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: tlbradford on July 15, 2008, 09:28:11 AM: I would get a nice heavy sidearm for all the Grizzly bear encounters you may have in addition to a larger rifle. MAybe a .480 Ruger. You can never be too careful, especially when it comes to your wife's safety. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: GoldTip on July 15, 2008, 09:34:28 AM: Either of those guns should work fine for Moose, with heavy for caliber bullets. My mother in law has drawn two cow moose permits back home in Montana and has shot them both with her 243 win. Both went down in short order and were loaded whole in the truck! That being said, this is a very good excuse to get a gun BETTER suited for Moose, such as a 300winny or the 338win. My personal Moose slayer is a 325wsm, which I'll be shooting 200gr XP3 loads through when I go to Alberta this fall.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: finnman on July 15, 2008, 10:31:34 AM: Thanks for all the advice guys! I just looked on line and so far I like the Browning Composite Stalker A-Bolt in either .338 Win Mag. or the .325 WSM. both of which will double for her Moose hunt and my Elk hunt. I had a .338 Win Mag. at one time in a Ruger M77, but the laminated stock broke and I sold the action to a friend, so I am leaning toward replacing that caliber.
Right now her .308 is sighted in with 180 gr. Noslers, but due to the Moose and Elk permits I think I will sell her .308, and keep the scope from it and put it on a nice new rifle!!

FOR SALE- Browning A-bolt Micro Medallion, .308 Win., 20 inch Barrel, wood stock in great shape! :) $450 OBO!!!!
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 10:32:31 AM: I plan on using a 380gr. Beman ICS tipped with a 85gr. Thunderhead :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 10:35:37 AM: Quote from: GoldTip on July 15, 2008, 09:34:28 AM
My mother in law has drawn two cow moose permits back home in Montana and has shot them both with her 243 win. Both went down in short order and were loaded whole in the truck!

My grandma dropped two moose in Montana years ago with a 243 as well. :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: GoldTip on July 15, 2008, 11:17:30 AM: Finnman, I have the 325wsm in the Browning stainless stalker and I love the gun. Replaced the factory recoil pad with a Sims pad, and it shoots lights out. Have killed a couple elk and deer with it. Bit over kill for the deer, but hey, they only get so dead right? Only drawback I see is the .323 bullet and only Winchester is factory loading for the gun. But once I have enough brass, I will only reload anyway. You can't go wrong with the 338 winny either.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Wea300mag on July 15, 2008, 11:40:19 AM: With proper shot placement it is enough gun, but any chance you have to buy a new gun or upgrade, just do it.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: popeshawnpaul on July 15, 2008, 12:15:12 PM: After seeing their huge tough leg bones and the destruction of the 225 grain bullet I was using, I wouldn't use anything less than a 200 grain bullet on a moose. I used a .358 Win and it is nice for kick so a kid or woman could shoot it well. It is a Browning BLR. I would not hunt moose with a 7mm. It can be done but I would not do it if I had the choice. I would say .30 caliber at least, 200 grains minimum, and a quality bullet. You only get one chance at this, do it right...
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 15, 2008, 12:21:31 PM: Yea it's the shot placement. I took my Alaska-Yukon moose down with 1 shot from my 7mm mag. As they say alot of the time the moose will stand there dead on their feet. My nephew shot a 48" alaska bull before the 50" requirement. He hit it 4 out of 5 shots with those 4 being fatal areas before it fell over with his 300 win mag.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Ray on July 15, 2008, 12:24:58 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 10:35:37 AM

My grandma dropped two moose in Montana years ago with a 243 as well. :chuckle:

That's one cool granny :rockin:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Slider on July 15, 2008, 01:00:01 PM: Phool I would be using a 100gr Silver Flame!!! Good Luck
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: billythekidrock on July 15, 2008, 04:21:31 PM: Quote from: tlbradford on July 15, 2008, 09:28:11 AM
I would get a nice heavy sidearm for all the Grizzly bear encounters you may have in addition to a larger rifle. MAybe a .480 Ruger. You can never be too careful, especially when it comes to your wife's safety. :rolleyes:

+1 :rockin:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Antlershed on July 15, 2008, 05:06:26 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 10:35:37 AM
Quote from: GoldTip on July 15, 2008, 09:34:28 AM
My mother in law has drawn two cow moose permits back home in Montana and has shot them both with her 243 win. Both went down in short order and were loaded whole in the truck!

My grandma dropped two moose in Montana years ago with a 243 as well. :chuckle:
What the flip is grandma doing hunting Moose? :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 05:12:57 PM: She lived in Montana for a long time and her and my gramps hunted everything, of course this was years ago though.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Antlershed on July 15, 2008, 05:17:47 PM: Sorry, that was my poor attempt at humor. :(
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: mkcj on July 15, 2008, 05:31:00 PM: I would have to say no one on here has shot more moose than my dad and when I was able to go the first of mine was shot with a 270 the last was shot with a 300 win mag all with 150 gr partions. Moose are not like elk if you hit them right they go down my son shot his cow last year with a 280 and she never took a step but if you can get a new gun out of it go for it. Now I should dig out all of dad's horns and get a pic on here he booked hunts for Tommy our guide for 35 years he never missed a season the last week of which was our hunt we were lucky always came home with 4 and got to shoot the guides moose also dad stopped counting at 40. Good luck I know last year with my 2 sons hunting MT Spokane is a hunt I will never forget ENJOY
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 05:38:19 PM: 40 moose :o holy sheeeet!!!! I'll tell you what, if I can find one like Popes I will be doing back flips.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: mkcj on July 15, 2008, 06:14:25 PM: Yeah we hunted west of Williams lake BC Tommy was a native so there winter meat was moose unlike here they lived off what they shot and having us there they were more than happy to let us get it for them and help with all the work skinning and loading the horses. Last year we seen 1 big boy while looking for my sons cow he was in full rut and was grunting and didn't care we were there was great we watched him for almost an hour
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: jdb on July 15, 2008, 06:15:07 PM: I'd take a long look at the new .338 federal you could have cliff labounty re bore that browning . 308 and she'd have a fine moose gun and it would be one she is familiar with. just my :twocents:JB
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: jdb on July 15, 2008, 06:16:29 PM: I read some damned fine books that were all true tales and took place in the williams lake country
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: MountainWalk on July 15, 2008, 10:05:58 PM: between the 338 win mag and the 325, id take the long cartridge over the new non belted one anyday. the 325 doesnt have very heavy bullets for it and the whole reason of an over 30 cal gun is bullets heavier than 225 grains. 30's loaded with 200 and heavier bullets are lots better than 325's and 338's with 180 and 200 grain bullets.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Jackjr on July 15, 2008, 10:09:31 PM: You could also buy a new bow. That would be cool to get one with a bow :yike:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: ICEMAN on July 15, 2008, 10:23:25 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on July 15, 2008, 10:35:37 AM
Quote from: GoldTip on July 15, 2008, 09:34:28 AM
My mother in law has drawn two cow moose permits back home in Montana and has shot them both with her 243 win. Both went down in short order and were loaded whole in the truck!

My grandma dropped two moose in Montana years ago with a 243 as well. :chuckle:

Hey, maybe you guys are related!? :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Ellensburg on July 16, 2008, 08:58:04 AM: downed mine in one shot with a .247.... Wouldn't reccomend it but i had no other option. I'd use a .300 or .308
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: GoldTip on July 16, 2008, 09:08:13 AM: Mountainwalk338, not sure where you've gotten your info, but the ballistic coefficient for a .323cal with a 200gr TSX is.421, for a .308 TSX its .423. If you can get an animal to notice the difference between those two, I'd be damn surprised. You'd also have a rather difficult time getting a 200gr bullet out of a 300 win mag to achieve the same velocities you'll get with the 325wsm and a 200gr bullet. But hey, we all know your quite partial to the 338 win mag, as I am to the 325wsm.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: archery288 on July 16, 2008, 09:09:18 AM: Quote from: Jackjr on July 15, 2008, 10:09:31 PM
You could also buy a new bow. That would be cool to get one with a bow :yike:

That's exactly what I was thinkin! I wouldn't do it any other way than with a bow!!
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: robodad on July 16, 2008, 09:42:24 AM: Both bulls I shot were with a .308 and they both fell flat on their face, both head shots 40-50 yards !
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Idabooner on July 16, 2008, 06:41:48 PM: My first moose, a 51 inch Canadian dropped like a ton of brick to a 130 gr. nozler partition from a 270 Rem., 100 + yards. A year later my friend took a cow with a 25-06, 117 gr.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: MountainWalk on July 16, 2008, 10:01:02 PM: goldtip, not all of my thoughts are borne out of the measurement of B-C. sectional density, to me, is of far more importance.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: cohoho on July 16, 2008, 11:01:44 PM: Since your in the mood to be persuaded to buy a new gun, if you ever have any thoughts going elsewhere, like AK or Africa buy the .375...... I used a .338 for years, yea they threw a whopping down range with 250 grains, but the .375 drops them with all legs neatly tucked under neath, making the photo positioning pretty easy.... Believe it or not, it kicks about 1/3 what the .338 did.... Of course I state all of this while my son (11-13) used his .243 and his two moose died just as easily with proper bullet placement... But, he did have a backup shooter just in case.... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Head-shot on July 17, 2008, 06:27:48 AM: Quote from: robodad on July 16, 2008, 09:42:24 AM
Both bulls I shot were with a .308 and they both fell flat on their face, both head shots 40-50 yards !

Ding Ding Ding !!!!!!!! you said the magic words... :whoo: .308 and head shots... :whoo:

That's exactly what I was thinking reading this, but I'm partial to both. :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: jdb on July 17, 2008, 06:29:41 AM: I knew your have something to say about that :hello:JB
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Ridgerunner on July 17, 2008, 06:51:19 AM: Hmm, now I'm really thinking about what I should use,

270 with Barnes TSX 130 grain, or switch to my 30-06 with a heavier bullet, I also have a 300 mag that I have access to use, which I was going to carry as back up. I shoot the 270 the best but really hadn't considered using that gun. Hmmmmm.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Intruder on July 17, 2008, 09:37:16 AM: Quote from: Ridgerunner on July 17, 2008, 06:51:19 AM
Hmm, now I'm really thinking about what I should use,

270 with Barnes TSX 130 grain, or switch to my 30-06 with a heavier bullet, I also have a 300 mag that I have access to use, which I was going to carry as back up. I shoot the 270 the best but really hadn't considered using that gun. Hmmmmm.

If you shoot the 270 the best, use it. You can't go wrong with any of the guns you mentioned... especially if you using high quality bullets, they'll all do the job just fine.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: PA BEN on July 23, 2008, 06:18:34 PM: Drew my tag for 49 degrees north. I have a 7mm-o8 and a 308. I'm selling the 7mm-08 to pay for my new Ruger M77 Rem. Mag. I picked up a new in the box scope that sells now adays for 550. for 75. bucks. It was purchased back in the 80's by a fella who died and the guy I bough it from got it from his wife. It's a Bausch & Lomb 6x24x40. Sighted it in lat night in 3 shots.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 23, 2008, 06:22:13 PM: so are you planning on using the 308 or the new M77? What caliber is the new Ruger?
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: PA BEN on July 23, 2008, 06:33:22 PM: Sorry I got the M77 and didn't put 7mm rem. mag. With 175 gr. Core Lock
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on July 23, 2008, 06:42:24 PM: Quote from: PA BEN on July 23, 2008, 06:33:22 PM
Sorry I got the M77 and didn't put 7mm rem. mag. With 175 gr. Core Lock

So you're using the 7mm with the 175gr.?
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: PA BEN on July 24, 2008, 05:43:12 AM: I might try my bow first. But this was a good reason to buy a new gun, and yes the gun I'll use is my new M77 Ruger 7mm rem. mag. W/Rem. 175 gr core locks.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: finnman on July 24, 2008, 10:27:33 AM: After looking at a few different rifles I am going to go with the Tikka T3 Lite synthetic in .338 win mag.
It will have a little shoulder jolt, but in my condition I need to know that when that trigger is pulled her moose or my bull elk is going down now! It will be wearing the scope off her .308, a Burris Signature series 2x8x36mm, one of my favorite scopes! Back when Burris made top notch stuff.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: rainshadow1 on July 24, 2008, 11:23:59 AM: 338WM is an excellent choice, very popular in AK for Moose and Grizz.

I have one in a M77 Ruger, and a Weatherby in 300WM. The 300 kicks harder, even in a better balanced gun. The recoil with a 338 is not punishing, especially considering the 250 grain boat tail spitzer I'm sending downrange at very respectable velocity. I'm happy with the trade off for more thick cover and <250yd shots. (For shots to 400 on elk or smaller I'll use the 300.)
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: rasbo on August 27, 2008, 04:45:30 AM: my dad dumped one with the 308,but I would,nt tell mama that!any reason to buy your wife a new gun is a good one.Heck you ought to see what my wife needs. LOL
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: huntnphool on August 27, 2008, 07:34:16 PM: Quote from: rasbo on August 27, 2008, 04:45:30 AM
I would,nt tell mama that!any reason to buy your wife a new gun is a good one.Heck you ought to see what my wife needs. LOL

My wife doesn't hunt and she needs a few new guns :chuckle:
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: flyguide on September 04, 2008, 08:48:08 PM: It just depends on how many times you like to shoot 'em and if you .308 is Semi-auto.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: chester on September 05, 2008, 09:46:53 PM: ive never hunted moose myself but i went along with my dad when i was younger in alaska and watched him drop bulls on 2 seperate occasions using a 270 with partition bullets. neither went more then ten yards before they fell.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: cohoho on September 06, 2008, 12:55:01 AM: Jack O'Connor, famous Alaskan hunter in the fifties and sixties, shot everything with a .270.... From Sheep to Grizzlies... I think it's all about what you like and how accurate you are. A study was done in AK on the Fish and Game shooting range south of Anchorage. They had target set up for guys with big guns, i.e. .338, .375, had them shoot then again shoot 30-06, 308 etc... Guess what the more comfortable and accurate you are, that's the gun that works best for you. By the way the guys shooting the .338 and .375 missed by several inches and sometimes feet their prospective targets at the same range as the 06 and others..... Myself I like big guns and use .338 and .375 and never had a Moose travel too far... :chuckle: :chuckle: My kid used a .243 for his first couple moose.... They died just as quick with nicely place rounds as the big guns did. Well without the effects anyhow.....
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 14, 2008, 11:43:31 PM: :iamwithstupid:

If a moose tag fell out of the sky and into my lap tomorrow I wouldn't trade my .30-06 even if I had several months before the hunt. I"d probably get into some 200/220 grain Nosler Partitions and call it good at that.
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: dasbear on September 16, 2008, 09:32:19 PM: Believe me WIPE is not the word I would have chosen maybe carwash
Title: Re: ENOUGH GUN FOR MOOSE?
Post by: wrangler on September 16, 2008, 09:44:09 PM: Quote from: PA BEN on July 23, 2008, 06:18:34 PM
Drew my tag for 49 degrees north. I have a 7mm-o8 and a 308. I'm selling the 7mm-08 to pay for my new Ruger M77 Rem. Mag. I picked up a new in the box scope that sells now adays for 550. for 75. bucks. It was purchased back in the 80's by a fella who died and the guy I bough it from got it from his wife. It's a Bausch & Lomb 6x24x40. Sighted it in lat night in 3 shots.

hope you don't get in to an angry rutting bull at close range with that 6 power scope... could be trouble! most of the bulls iv seen in the selkirks are in thick stuff and fairly close. id be nervous with anything more than a 1.5x4 set on anything but 1.5x.....