Moose calibre?

[Harry Knutz]

We shot a couple of moose this season. It was British Columbia moose, middle of the province. They're a bit smaller than Alaskan moose. Both animals were taken with ELD-X bullets.

One was at about 25 yards, was hit 3x with 6.5 PRC before it eventually went down. Not the most accurate shot placement but all in the chest cavity.

2nd moose was 330 yards. 1 round with the 6.5 PRC dumped it on the spot. Shot was taken from a tripod, no wind, and wasn't rushed by a competitive long-range shooter. All heart and lungs, the animal was forward facing.

Sounds like it was a good thing you didn't use the 6.5 creedmoor! Glad you got your prey!

 

[Oryx_Official]

Sounds like it was a good thing you didn't use the 6.5 creedmoor! Glad you got your prey!

I wouldn't hesitate to use a 6.5 Creedmoor with an ELD-X at 300 yards as long as you had favorable conditions. A bit more punch is nice but if all you had was the creedmoor, I would just spend money on some practice.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I spend a lot of money on most of my guided hunts. The last thing I'm inclined to do is use a marginal cartridge/bullet. When in doubt - size up.

I shot a Maine bull moose with a 402gr Hammer bullet ((45-70). I chose the 45-70 for that hunt because the terrain is heavily forested and I expected shot opportunities to be close. On a broadside shot @ 125yds, the bullet impacted in the center of his lungs. He just stood there for a second and took a couple of slow steps before the hammer dropped again. Two of those giant bullets and he went down. Both bullets exited.

Moose can absorb a lot of horsepower.

 

[Harry Knutz]

I wouldn't hesitate to use a 6.5 Creedmoor with an ELD-X at 300 yards as long as you had favorable conditions. A bit more punch is nice but if all you had was the creedmoor, I would just spend money on some practice.

The reason they use the 6.5x55 over in the Norse countries to take Moose, Is because that's what they have over there, And let me tell you, It's not the wimpy 6.5x55 ammo they serve you up over here! They don't go to Walmart and buy a Savage. Each rifle has to be proofed at a proof house, So they don't have the luxury of buying whatever they want like we do here. Use a cartridge and bullet that is suited to take the game humanely, A 6.5 Creedmoor is not that choice, Can you get a moose down with one, Well yeah but how many follow up shots and following blood trails? And what's the chance of a raging moose coming at you! You can practice all you want, Game doesn't always present you with a perfect broadside shot, And they have a tendency to move.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

7mag 162 Hornady Interlock muzzle velocity of 3000 fps over Labrador. ND moose at 220 yards. This bull probably weighed around 900 lbs so not like an Alaskan bull. 1 shot broadside dropped in his tracks like he was electrocuted. Found bullet on offside just under the hide. Bullet weighs 70 grains so 43% weight retention.

This seems to be pretty typical performance for the interlocks I recover.

Last pick is a .243 100 grain interlock on a 140" whitetail my daughter shot broadside at 130 yards this fall. This was a big bodied deer and bullet was found on offside hide. This one retained 39% weight. They seem to mushroom back to the interlock and lose all lead forward.

 

[su35-5]

Good to hear these reports

 

[su35-5]

I use a 338 RCM shooting 225 AB's at 2,750.

 

[crazymonkey]

I've got a 375 ruger shooting a 270gr that should do the trick. Also a
338 win mag my dad got from one of the neighbors that was used 1 time for a dream moose hunt and not fired again. Should be stout medicine for our arizona elk.

 

[antleredacres]

I

I've got a 375 ruger shooting a 270gr that should do the trick. Also a
338 win mag my dad got from one of the neighbors that was used 1 time for a dream moose hunt and not fired again. Should be stout medicine for our arizona elk.

I've taken the Slam of N. American moose all with a Rem. 7mm Mag using 175 Nosler Partitions.

 

[REDVANES]

I've been lucky enough to be a part of 4 moose kills on DIY hunts.
3 of those were taken with my 300RUM with 200g Accubonds and 1 with Dads 308 with 168 TTSX

I like the extra power of the RUM not only for moose but because there's a lot of bears in the area.
So many good cartridges out there that'll work though.

My Bull - 300RUM - 390yds

Cousins Bull - 300RUM - 260yds

Uncles Bull - 300RUM - 360yds

Dads Bull - 308 - 300yds

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've been lucky enough to be a part of 4 moose kills on DIY hunts.
3 of those were taken with my 300RUM with 200g Accubonds and 1 with Dads 308 with 168 TTSX

I like the extra power of the RUM not only for moose but because there's a lot of bears in the area.
So many good cartridges out there that'll work though.

My Bull - 300RUM - 390yds
View attachment 426774

Cousins Bull - 300RUM - 260yds
View attachment 426779

Uncles Bull - 300RUM - 360yds
View attachment 426776

Dads Bull - 308 - 300yds
View attachment 426777

Woah - Congratulations on taking so many great bulls. Terrific photography as well.

 

[REDVANES]

Woah - Congratulations on taking so many great bulls. Terrific photography as well.

Thanks! Alaska is a magical place... I hope to keep going back

 

[30378wbymag]

I wouldn't recommend hunting moose with a 22lr and it wasn't something that I planned but due to unexpected circumstances it happened. I was close I had an ideal shot in that situation and the moose dropped instantly.

Gus

Much, much different circumstances hunting for subsistence, I wonder how many big game animals have been taken with a .22 rimfire????

 

[akdad]

Thanks! Alaska is a magical place... I hope to keep going back

Can I ask where you were in Alaska?
Good pictures!!!