Is the 308 an effective moose round? Really?

[DMP25-06]

Nosler Partition
180 or 200 gr. in .308
250 gr. in .338

 

[Michael Eichele]

That was kind of the impression I was under. I was thinking someting more like the barnes or accubond maybe even something tougher but I don't know what that would be

My buddy hit a large bull a couple years ago with the 300 grain accubond. It flat unplugged that bull.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I would try the Berger 210 VLD's. Work up a load with Varget or RL17 using Lapua brass and Federal 210M primers. You should be able to get some really solid knock-down power and penetration.

I would also go lung-shot. I try not to ever shoot any game in the shoulder, as I always eat what I kill.

 

[65 GRENDEL]

Shoulder shots do damage a lot of meat, ive damaged my fair share. I tend to shoot the shoulders when I shoot in a hurry but i will say that typically they will pile up right where you shoot them when you pin the shoulders. At least the deer I've shot do, but this year I've refrained from any shoulder shots.

 

[CapDog]

I have shot my share of moose and have been in on a lot more that have been shot by friends. The number one round we have used was the .308. Although my .325WSM and 6.5's get carried a lot more now a days I wouldn't feel under gunned what so ever using a .308.

Lots have fallen to standard 165gr cup and cores with the Hornady Interlocks and Speer Hot-cor being used the most. We have also shot quite a few with the 165gr TBBC. One of my most successful moose hunting buddies uses the 180gr SST out of his old Win 100 and now Browning BAR. Nothing has walked away from him and If I remember only one took an extra shot and that was because it was still standing there after the first one.

 

[Brewer]

I think I heard not long ago on here that .22-250 was the cartridge of choice of local Alaskans (head shots of course)!!

hit um where it counts and you probably don't have to worry to much about what gun you are shooting.

 

[AKGuide]

Use a good bullet, put it where it needs to be and enjoy the moose backstraps cooked over spruce coals. Mmmmmm....

Couldn't agree more they are tasty critters and nothing beats fresh meat over open fire. My first moose fell to a 100 grain bullet out of a .243 Win when I was 8. They are generally not hard to kill and wobble a little and tip right over. They are pretty nerve dead and I found that a second shot normally causes them to run. 165 and 180 grainers under 300 yards in the Swift or Barnes variety and you will be packing meat.

Reuben

 

[WildRose]

Myself and another guy on here are planning to book an unguided moose hunt out of Bethel, AK for 2017. I have always been a fan of large caliber uber magnum guns. Proven by the 338 lapua Acley improved that I own as well as a 458 Lott that resides in my gun room. However, I had this crazy Idea about killing a moose with a smaller caliber rifle. I killed my elk this year with the 338 lapua and I have to say it was nothing short of impressive. I'm looking into getting another 308 though. I particularly like 20" rifles with the mcree folding chassis, they are reasonably light and very compact. have owned a couple in that configuration. SO, I decide to do some google research on it and it appears an overwhelming number of people think that the 308 with a 165-180gr well constructed bullet is a fine moose gun. As a matter of fact I don't think I found any negative reviews on it. If this is the case that may very well be my gun of choice for this hunt. I do enjoy the low recoil and the barrel life allows me Practially unlimited practice with the rifle I would actually be hunting with. I do understand that it will limit my effective range simply due to decreased energy at the target. I don't think 300yds would be unreasonable though. What is your thoughts on the matter? It wouldn't hurt my feelings to use a 300 win or even the old 338 but I kind of have a thing for the old 308 and unlike in wyoming where getting closer wasn't always an option, I believe the terrain on this hunt would allow me to close the gap to 300 or closer pretty easily. I could always put one in the brain housing group if I had to.

Where you hit'm is always far more important than what you hit'm with. This pretty much applies to all game.

 

[roninflag]

never hunted moose. with a .308 i would use fed factory TT4. with the bonded bullet and the high energyu loading. where to find it is harder than finding the moose though. enjoy. ron

 

[Speedo]

Is a 308 capable of killing a moose, no problem. It is what you're not hunting that I'd be more concerned with and a 308 is not my 1st choice for grizzlies. You're going on an unguided hunt out of Bethel so I'm guessing you'll be dropped off at a lake or remote strip. If that's the case you'll be packing meat if you're successful.
If you shoot a mature bull they present a daunting task just getting the meat back to your drop off point. A moose down is an attractant for bears and I have friends that hunt Sitka Blacktails with 375s for that reason. I've hunted moose in Alaska for nearly 50 years and killed a lot of them and my wife and I have both killed a few grizzlies without specifically going after them. While you aren't able to hunt grizzlies they have no such restrictions on you.

Gus