Moose Rifle?

[vandeman17]

I am headed to Canada this fall for my first moose hunt and not sure what rifle to bring. I am not a guy that owns a bunch of rifles so unless I borrow one, I was planning on taking my .270 and 150g ammo. Thoughts?

[high_hunter]

I'm sure it would work with a well-placed shot but don't think it's an ideal setup for a heavy-boned animal nor would be my first choice.

Are you going with a guide up there and if so, what do they recommend?  I believe some guides will have a minimum caliber requirement for large/dangerous game animals they want their clients to use.

Have a good trip and time planning!

HH

[Karl Blanchard]

I wouldn't hesitate to take your .270 for a single second. The 6.5 swede has probably killed more moose than any other clambering on the planet with far inferior bullets than we have now. A 130-150gr bullet going even moderate speeds is adequately penetrating through anything you point it at. 

With that said, new rifles are ALWAYS the right choice 

[Fishmaker57]

Killed my moose, in Alberta, with a 6.5PRC shooting a 143 gr. ELDX. The guide was amazed at how much damage it did. Speed kills....

[wadu1]

A well-placed shot will work well. I know of one old timer that harvested a dozen + with a WIN 1895 in 30-40 Krag.

[vandeman17]

I am totally comfortable and confident with this rifle since its really the only one I hunt with. That is why I feel like it will be plenty because it hits what I am aiming at but we will see how I do if there is a swamp donkey down range. 

[jrebel]

It will be fine.  We have killed 11 moose (our hunting party, 4 of which were me and my son) and all shots were sub 300 yards.  9 of the 11 were sub 150 yards with the majority of those being under 100 yards.  Point being.....your shots will likely be close range and a .270 win with a good 150 grain bullet will crush a moose with a well placed shot.  Moose typically don't take off running when hit, allowing for a follow up shot if needed.  Calibers used for the above moose have been:  .270 win, .270 WSSM, 300 WSM, 7mm mag and 300 wm.   

Hope you have a great hunt and look forward to hearing success stories!! 

[vandeman17]

It will be fine.  We have killed 11 moose (our hunting party, 4 of which were me and my son) and all shots were sub 300 yards.  9 of the 11 were sub 150 yards with the majority of those being under 100 yards.  Point being.....your shots will likely be close range and a .270 win with a good 150 grain bullet will crush a moose with a well placed shot.  Moose typically don't take off running when hit, allowing for a follow up shot if needed.  Calibers used for the above moose have been:  .270 win, .270 WSSM, 300 WSM, 7mm mag and 300 wm.   

Hope you have a great hunt and look forward to hearing success stories!!

Appreciate it. We will for sure post some stories and pics when we get back. Hunt is first week of October.

[Karl Blanchard]

Where in Canada Adam?

[vandeman17]

Where in Canada Adam?

Alberta with an outfitter. It will be my first moose hunt with a rifle in my hand so I am pretty excited. I won't be holding out for anything massive and it will actually be hard to pass on any bulls unless it's super tiny and first morning.

[Karl Blanchard]

Where in Canada Adam?

Alberta with an outfitter. It will be my first moose hunt with a rifle in my hand so I am pretty excited. I won't be holding out for anything massive and it will actually be hard to pass on any bulls unless it's super tiny and first morning.

pumped for you! Your dad going too?

[steeleywhopper]

Moose don't like bullets at all, a .270 will work. If you are hunting in Grizz country I might go a bit more stout, but what the heck that is what the guide is for. Let him post up and shoot at the grizz while you high tail it out of there!

[vandeman17]

Where in Canada Adam?

Alberta with an outfitter. It will be my first moose hunt with a rifle in my hand so I am pretty excited. I won't be holding out for anything massive and it will actually be hard to pass on any bulls unless it's super tiny and first morning.

pumped for you! Your dad going too?

He is but as a non hunter. He is reaching the age where he is more interested in being along for the hunt and enjoying that aspect than being the actual hunter. I surprised him in Feb on his 70th b-day with the news that he was coming along with 92xj and myself. It was a dream of his and my grandpa to go on a moose hunt together and they didn't get to before my grandpa passed away. I wasn't going to let that happen for us so this will have a little extra special meaning.

[jrebel]

It will be fine.  We have killed 11 moose (our hunting party, 4 of which were me and my son) and all shots were sub 300 yards.  9 of the 11 were sub 150 yards with the majority of those being under 100 yards.  Point being.....your shots will likely be close range and a .270 win with a good 150 grain bullet will crush a moose with a well placed shot.  Moose typically don't take off running when hit, allowing for a follow up shot if needed.  Calibers used for the above moose have been:  .270 win, .270 WSSM, 300 WSM, 7mm mag and 300 wm.   

Hope you have a great hunt and look forward to hearing success stories!!

Appreciate it. We will for sure post some stories and pics when we get back. Hunt is first week of October.

Should be right in the middle of the prime rut.  We hunt northern Alberta the same week and the rut is a pretty amazing time in the moose woods.  Hopefully your guide will allow you to hunt and shoot black bears as an option.  The tags are cheap and well worth the gamble on weather.  The berries are usually thick and Alberta has some big bears.  The bear hunting can be variable depending on the year and weather.  We have hunted that same week with highs in the low 30 and snow on the ground....or in the upper 70's. 

[CamoDup]

Killed my moose, in Alberta, with a 6.5PRC shooting a 143 gr. ELDX. The guide was amazed at how much damage it did. Speed kills....

Same set up I killed my WA moose with. Your .270 is plenty with a well placed shot.