Are the .338s becoming pointless?

[6.5x300 WBY]

I assure you kind sir .... that moose was not acting ....

No i agree with you. I was just funning a bit that it was killed so fast with a 300 WSM and wasn't a 338 what did it. GREAT MOOSE BUT BETTER EATING. PROPPER CARTRIDGE AND BULLET COMBO DOING SOME WORK

 

[Capt RB]

After recovering a moose in chest deep water in October in snow flurries. I would want more than less gun. That was shot with a 300wby late 80's. Took out both shoulders and destroyed everything between them. ran 20 steps max.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I get the bigger is better on huge animals like Moose. It's alot of work even when you drop them where they stand. I've never killed a Moose. I've killed an 1000lb+ Brown bear and it dropped on the spot. No recovery but so much work as we were 1 mile from the boat. Still even 450 yards from the river shore after mooring the boat closer to the bear made for an evening of work. My rifle was a .375 H&H. The guide said many hunters do use the Big 30s successfully and he does not recommend anything smaller. His gun was a .375 as well. When I hunt Moose, and I will eventually, i cannot say what rifle I will use but I'm sure it will be up to the task for a quick kill. Bullets today are phenomenal and only getting better all the time. I'm building a 300PRC soon. I'll kill some big animals with it I'm sure but having a 338LM Improved makes the decision a no brainer. Luckily my shot at that bear was under 200 yards. Not sure on Moose. I've seen Moose shot at alot longer ranges than I'd feel comfortable shooting the .375 at. Either way being I have a bigger bore rifle, I'd opt for using it on Moose. Bears die pretty easy in my experience compared to big Hooved game animals, all things being equal.

 

[Snowboy]

I assure you kind sir .... that moose was not acting ....

Ok guys we all know that for years moose have been successfully taken with everything from .45 cal muzzle loaders countless 30-30 win. thousands of 30-06's even the Nato round the .308 is lethal and then along came the big magnums which have added a whole new game with the extended range we can ethically harvest moose at. Cardinal rule - whatever caliber you choose make sure you shoot it accurately 100% of the time.
Remember one thing no matter what gun you choose You are a hunter first this is not a target range respect your game.

 

[Calvin45]

Think I'm gonna wrap this thread up as it's run it's course and then some! Thanks for the feedback and the hunting stories everybody. I'm out as of tomorrow for a few days hunting elk and black bear here in Saskatchewan. Learned lots of interesting things here, heard lots of good stories. All the best.

 

[Hand Skills]

Good luck in your hunt Calvin,

To all the other guys;

If you need to drop a moose on the spot, just shoot it in the hump. I always go for vitals first, but if recovery could get sketchy a follow up to the hump will dump them. With a good bullet, we have found even a .270win is adequate.

 

[Swamplord]

This was last night, with my 300 RUM I can plug em under my treestand and at the farthest end of the swamp at around 550 yards, and I've done both over the years , and I've got a spot close by this one where you can shoot out to a mile if you wanted to

doubt the 45-70 or 30-30 would be of any use here, I would never set myself up for failure on a moose hunt before I even left the house.

my 100% moose hunting success rate over the last 30+ years is largely due to cartridge choice .... power dominates

 

[jimisbell]

Very nice.

 

[Snowboy]

Good luck in your hunt Calvin,

To all the other guys;

If you need to drop a moose on the spot, just shoot it in the hump. I always go for vitals first, but if recovery could get sketchy a follow up to the hump will dump them. With a good bullet, we have found even a .270win is adequate.

I have done this twice to prevent moose in swamp.

 

[Calvin45]

This was last night, with my 300 RUM I can plug em under my treestand and at the farthest end of the swamp at around 550 yards, and I've done both over the years , and I've got a spot close by this one where you can shoot out to a mile if you wanted to

doubt the 45-70 or 30-30 would be of any use here, I would never set myself up for failure on a moose hunt before I even left the house.

my 100% moose hunting success rate over the last 30+ years is largely due to cartridge choice .... power dominates
View attachment 214402View attachment 214403

even more impressive if you can shoot that rifle upside down like that!!!

 

[Swamplord]

even more impressive if you can shoot that rifle upside down like that!!!

It can be deployed properly when necessary

this guy just came by 5 min ago, grunted wassup !

I lure them with a bull magnet and canoe paddle out onto my atv trail and dump them right on it,

 

[Pdvdh]

Waiting for that hooves up photo!

 

[RH300UM]

I get the bigger is better on huge animals like Moose. It's alot of work even when you drop them where they stand. I've never killed a Moose. I've killed an 1000lb+ Brown bear and it dropped on the spot. No recovery but so much work as we were 1 mile from the boat. Still even 450 yards from the river shore after mooring the boat closer to the bear made for an evening of work. My rifle was a .375 H&H. The guide said many hunters do use the Big 30s successfully and he does not recommend anything smaller. His gun was a .375 as well. When I hunt Moose, and I will eventually, i cannot say what rifle I will use but I'm sure it will be up to the task for a quick kill. Bullets today are phenomenal and only getting better all the time. I'm building a 300PRC soon. I'll kill some big animals with it I'm sure but having a 338LM Improved makes the decision a no brainer. Luckily my shot at that bear was under 200 yards. Not sure on Moose. I've seen Moose shot at alot longer ranges than I'd feel comfortable shooting the .375 at. Either way being I have a bigger bore rifle, I'd opt for using it on Moose. Bears die pretty easy in my experience compared to big Hooved game animals, all things being equal.

Not my experiences with big bears but each had their own experiences. The big brownies have another level of tenacity unmatched by any hooved animal I've encountered. All thing being equal!

 

[VLD Pilot]

Not my experiences with big bears but each had their own experiences. The big brownies have another level of tenacity unmatched by any hooved animal I've encountered. All thing being equal!

I can only say that the different experiences do tell alot. Also that the Big bears when alert prior to being shot do have that super sized boost of adrenalin dump that pushes their will to survive. Then again so do most big game critters. Only difference is one will eat you. Black bears are the bears I'm mostly speaking of. There soft and die rapidly in most cases.