.270 For Moose?

[thomasbangs]

A couple years ago my DiL killed a mature Idaho bull moose with her. 270 Winchester with a 130 gr Winchester SP bullet that I loaded for her for deer. I have better 130 gr 270 bullets but since she had killed several deer with that load, that's what she used for her moose.

 

[Willys]

you can tell its an 11 year old thread when people ask about .270 and moose. Change title to 6.5 prc and continue - LOL
For the record we almost lost a monster that died in 5 ft high heather with only his hooves sticking up. He had bolted 60 yards after a barnes from a 338-378 thru the boiler room.

 

[tinker man]

Would you use a .270 for Moose in Canada or Alaska?

I have killed at least 7 moose in northern British Columbia over the years. SHOT PLACEMENT

 

[Willys]

Moose are easier to kill than elk. Lots killed by 6.5s in Finland and 30-30s even in Canada. However if you lose one you will kick yourself the rest of your life for any choice of caliber less than 30.

 

[Alibiiv]

From what I read this trip was to Canada or Alaska. It would be great to find out what actually worked out 11 (?) some years ago. For me this would be a trip of a lifetime, although at 77 years old maybe I ought not to be writing this. I have read all of the replies up to where I am writing this reply; number 77. I'm reading all about shot placement and the right bullet and all that stuff. I recently read an article where an Indian woman, while out on a trap line killed a grizzly bear with a .22 short out of a single shot, taped together, junk rifle. I have read replies in this thread about moose getting shot and dropped in their tracks with .243s and 25-06s. I am not arguing with these replies at all. It is just that I do not often read where someone hunted a game animal, was under gunned and that animal was wounded and never recovered!! And...I know that there are plenty of those stories out there as I am sure that there are plenty of readers who are following this thread who could say the same thing. For me hunting is not a sterile environment in my way of thinking. Also killing certainly is not recovering either. The right tool for the right job, the right cartridge for the game one is hunting. I have three rifles that I would consider to take on a moose trip if I were lucky enough to go on one. They are a .270AI, a 30-06 and a 35 Whelen. The Whelen would be my first choice to take on such a trip, the 30-06 running a close second, and the .270AI my last choice. I know that if I hit a moose with a Whelen it will be anchored down good (225gr Barnes/3400 foot pounds at the muzzle), will get a total pass through and a good blood trail with the monos that I hunt with. Most readers here would and could say the same for the 30-06. This is just my .02c worth.

 

[akdad]

In my experience Alaska moose are not hard to kill.
I've got limited experience with a 270 since the one time I used one it was a one shot event. Same with 243. There are other considerations depending on when your hunting I guess. I've shot a lot more moose then elk but elk seem to be tougher to me.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

From what I read this trip was to Canada or Alaska. It would be great to find out what actually worked out 11 (?) some years ago. For me this would be a trip of a lifetime, although at 77 years old maybe I ought not to be writing this. I have read all of the replies up to where I am writing this reply; number 77. I'm reading all about shot placement and the right bullet and all that stuff. I recently read an article where an Indian woman, while out on a trap line killed a grizzly bear with a .22 short out of a single shot, taped together, junk rifle. I have read replies in this thread about moose getting shot and dropped in their tracks with .243s and 25-06s. I am not arguing with these replies at all. It is just that I do not often read where someone hunted a game animal, was under gunned and that animal was wounded and never recovered!! And...I know that there are plenty of those stories out there as I am sure that there are plenty of readers who are following this thread who could say the same thing. For me hunting is not a sterile environment in my way of thinking. Also killing certainly is not recovering either. The right tool for the right job, the right cartridge for the game one is hunting. I have three rifles that I would consider to take on a moose trip if I were lucky enough to go on one. They are a .270AI, a 30-06 and a 35 Whelen. The Whelen would be my first choice to take on such a trip, the 30-06 running a close second, and the .270AI my last choice. I know that if I hit a moose with a Whelen it will be anchored down good (225gr Barnes/3400 foot pounds at the muzzle), will get a total pass through and a good blood trail with the monos that I hunt with. Most readers here would and could say the same for the 30-06. This is just my .02c worth.

Yes a Moose Hunt is on my Bucket List.
Never been on a Elk hunt And it's Not on my Bucket List. To each his own.

 

[skipglo]

Would you use a .270 for Moose in Canada or Alaska?

Absolutely....fine caliber! I've seen well over 50 moose taken with .270s here in Alberta. I was an outfitter and guide for 11 years hunting with Jet boats on the Athabasca River. You will have no trouble getting yours.

 

[nord-partizanen]

Despite its size moose is not a tough animal. Any expansive bullet starting from 6.5mm will work on it as long as you care of good shot placement. The only reason to get a heavier caliber would be if you hunt near nasty wetlands where 50...100 yds run of wounded moose can make big difference.
The down size of heavier calibers is larger haematoma and more wasted quality meat. My rule is to save and appreciate every bit of animals which I take. This is why I butcher them myself. This is also the reason why I use 6.5mm and .308.
The toughest animal which I ever hunted is black bear. We don't have grizzlies in the East of Canada. In 2022 I took a 350 LB black bear at 80 yds using 6.5mm 145grains Creedmoor. The bear was able to run off 250 yds in the taiga having both lungs completely destroyed and spitting the blood and tissue out of the exit wound which was about tangerine sized. It took me more than 1h to track him down. Here is the vid of the blood trailing (~17 mins ...sorry it is not in english, but subtitles are there):

 

[memtb]

As stated, Moose aren't particularly difficult to kill.

The 270 Win., is adequate, though not my first choice. However, with good bullet placement, and a good bullet……the fun part is over and the work begins! memtb

 

[Hammerdown]

You sure have yourself a beautiful bear.
Some of those bears make foe some good table fare.
Take care.

 

[Chranah]

Here's an anecdote about a moose kill from an old French-Canadien, bush pilot, trapper friend of mine in Yukon, Terr. Canada. I never found out if he was telling the truth or lying, but I have no reason to disbelieve him.
He was sitting over a hole in the ice waiting for beavers to come out so he could shoot them with his .22 rifle. About 10 feet to his left side a cow moose came out of the woods, chewing her freshly ripped willow branches. She stopped along the edge of the river ice, where he took the opportunity to shoot her behind her shoulder with the "beaver gun". He proceeded to show the rest of the story with his mustached mouth, mimicking her chew her willow branches for a moment, stopped chewing, stood a little longer, and then fell down dead.

There's also the story of Bella Twin https://www.ammoland.com/2014/11/wh...n-use-to-kill-a-world-record-grizzly-in-1953/

 

[Marky_mark]

Here's an anecdote about a moose kill from an old French-Canadien, bush pilot, trapper friend of mine in Yukon, Terr. Canada. I never found out if he was telling the truth or lying, but I have no reason to disbelieve him.
He was sitting over a hole in the ice waiting for beavers to come out so he could shoot them with his .22 rifle. About 10 feet to his left side a cow moose came out of the woods, chewing her freshly ripped willow branches. She stopped along the edge of the river ice, where he took the opportunity to shoot her behind her shoulder with the "beaver gun". He proceeded to show the rest of the story with his mustached mouth, mimicking her chew her willow branches for a moment, stopped chewing, stood a little longer, and then fell down dead.

There's also the story of Bella Twin https://www.ammoland.com/2014/11/wh...n-use-to-kill-a-world-record-grizzly-in-1953/

She shot that bear in Alberta
I wouldn't trust a guy who speaks French lol

 

[Chranah]

She shot that bear in Alberta
I wouldn't trust a guy who speaks French lol

Hunting Canada is truly a great thing. There's no way I'll ever get the wife to move though.