Choice of bullet for Moose hunt

memtb said:

Not to sound like a "smart @$$", but .5 moa groups are not necessary for moose. I'd never think twice about using a much superior bullet that shoots 1.5 moa groups, for big bodied game with the possibility of a steeply angled shot! But that's just me!

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memtb said:

Not trying to be argumentative here….I'm actually (believe it or not) attempting to be serious. This question is posed to those advocating highly accurate, relatively thin jacketed, cup and core bullets for a moose or any other large bodied, big game animal.

The OP is obviously a non resident, likely paying very big money on a guided…..perhaps "once in a lifetime" moose hunt!

With those qualifications understood…… this is the scenario. The "hunter" has only one brief opportunity to make a shot, and that one shot is a very steeply angled shot from the rear of the animal.

This shot would necessitate placing the bullet just forward of the hindquarter…..requiring the bullet to penetrate a long way through lots of tissue/organs that very likely will not cause immediate or nearly so, death! The bullet path may encounter a paunch full of wet, densely packed foliage.

So….. are you sufficiently confident it the ability of some of the aforementioned, super accurate, fast expanding cup and core bullets to reach the vitals ( diaphragm, lungs, possibly the heart, and continue on to break the off shoulder), on this "once in a lifetime", very expensive hunt?

Or, do you pass on that shot, go home empty handed, suspecting that you will "never" get to make another moose hunt?

I truly believe that this is a valid question that should be addressed! JMO. memtb

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quandary said:

These are wise words to consider. I have only used Bergers hunting once. A 156 out of a 6.5PRC very nice broad side presentation on a large whitetail buck at about 200 yards. One shot, devasting damage to the lungs and body cavity. I was quite pleased with the performance. Fast forward to last month when I was in Alaska hunting. The outfitter told me he would prefer I not use a load with cup and core bullets particularly with a Grizzly tag. Then talking guns, ammo, hunting etc around camp after dinners every guide in camp went on and on how they hate Bergers. Every one said that Bergers far and away were the leader in wounded unrecovered animals. I know a lot of folks here love them and the 215 is revered at Longrange Only but it does give you pause when such unanimous hate is voiced by people who make a living killing game.......

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topcat265 said:

Memtb

You are right on most of that. Unfortunately, it is my second reasonably expensive guided moose hunt to Newfoundland. On the first hunt, I organized a group of four of us and the three of them all came back with nice bulls, and I did not even see a bull moose. That outfitter was near civilization, as one of my friends needed to maintain cell service.
So this trip is with another friend. It is a helicopter in, to the middle of nowhere camp, where, hopefully, Moose will be plentiful.

The hammer bullets will be delivered on Tuesday. I will work up 20 of those and see how they shoot. I will also work up the Barnes further off the lands. Departure date is October 4, so I have a little bit of time.

My preferences, a monometal bullet.

I thank everyone for their assistance. Great educational forum…

T

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MagnumManiac said:

It is my firm belief that most important when hunting is that the first cold bore shot goes EXACTLY where aimed…
I have never shot a group on an animal, never will.
Have seen too many hunters solely focused on where their shot is going to go rather than what is right in front of them. Admiring the shot is what it is called in Africa, I was taught to keep shooting, whether needed or not, if the animal is still standing or mobile. We call this snap shooting from off-hand and it is normal here..I had a difficult time in Africa adjusting to shooting off of sticks, it was totally foreign to me, still is, I was told they don't trust off-hand shots. Funny thing, all the PH's and trackers shot off-hand…

Cheers.

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topcat265 said:

Memtb

You are right on most of that. Unfortunately, it is my second reasonably expensive guided moose hunt to Newfoundland. On the first hunt, I organized a group of four of us and the three of them all came back with nice bulls, and I did not even see a bull moose. That outfitter was near civilization, as one of my friends needed to maintain cell service.
So this trip is with another friend. It is a helicopter in, to the middle of nowhere camp, where, hopefully, Moose will be plentiful.

The hammer bullets will be delivered on Tuesday. I will work up 20 of those and see how they shoot. I will also work up the Barnes further off the lands. Departure date is October 4, so I have a little bit of time.

My preferences, a monometal bullet.

I thank everyone for their assistance. Great educational forum…

T

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topcat265 said:

Since there's no thread for a Moose hunt (unless I missed it), I posted this in the Elk hunt section.

Next month, I'll be headed to Newfoundland for a moose hunt. I have chosen two bullets to work with. The first is the Barnes 190 grain LRX BT. The second is the Berger 245 grain Elite Hunter. The caliber rifle is a 300 PRC.
The rifle seems to like the Berger better as it is a bit more accurate.
What I find surprising is that the Barnes has over 200 ft-lbs more energy than the Berger.
I know the Barnes will break through bone as it is a monometal bullet.
Most likely all shots within 500 yards, so I am not concerned about the tighter spread of the Berger.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
T

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Laguna Freak said:

Nosler Partition and Swift A Frame are very strong, high weight retention, bone crushing, deep penetrating, controlled expansion, monster slayers that will be all you need inside 500 yds. I've never hunted New Foundland but all moose I've encountered from Maine to Montana were well under 300 yds and frequently in or near pretty heavy cover.

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topcat265 said:

Great information. Thank you. I head out on Friday. First day of hunt is Saturday. I can't wait.

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quandary said:

These are wise words to consider. I have only used Bergers hunting once. A 156 out of a 6.5PRC very nice broad side presentation on a large whitetail buck at about 200 yards. One shot, devasting damage to the lungs and body cavity. I was quite pleased with the performance. Fast forward to last month when I was in Alaska hunting. The outfitter told me he would prefer I not use a load with cup and core bullets particularly with a Grizzly tag. Then talking guns, ammo, hunting etc around camp after dinners every guide in camp went on and on how they hate Bergers. Every one said that Bergers far and away were the leader in wounded unrecovered animals. I know a lot of folks here love them and the 215 is revered at Longrange Only but it does give you pause when such unanimous hate is voiced by people who make a living killing game.......

Click to expand...