162gr Amax vs. Moose?

[henrystraker]

Was wondering whether anyone had any experience with 7mm 162 Amax on moose, and if so whether they felt that they were to frangible for this quarry?

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Was wondering whether anyone had any experience with 7mm 162 Amax on moose, and if so whether they felt that they were to frangible for this quarry?

On many occasions I've seen an average whitetail completely stop a 162 A-Max. The bullet fragmented into pieces so small that there was barely anything identifiable left. With a well placed shot into the center of the lungs of a moose the A-Max would probably do the job but how often do you get the perfect shot opportunity?
How about a 160 Accubond, terminal performance would be much more reliable on moose.

 

[Michael Eichele]

I've killed 2 moose with Amax bullets. One of which was a 30 cal 208. Neither case was pretty. In the end they got the job done but the situations were both ugly. I could see how it could easily have been uglier. I doubt the 7mm/162 will offer better results.

 

[henrystraker]

I've killed 2 moose with Amax bullets. One of which was a 30 cal 208. Neither case was pretty. In the end they got the job done but the situations were both ugly. I could see how it could easily have been uglier. I doubt the 7mm/162 will offer better results.

Ugly as in there was a a hole the size of a baby out the far side of it, or ugly as in the animal was down but far from dead?

Were these shots trying to get through shoulders?

 

[MudRunner2005]

On many occasions I've seen an average whitetail completely stop a 162 A-Max. The bullet fragmented into pieces so small that there was barely anything identifiable left. With a well placed shot into the center of the lungs of a moose the A-Max would probably do the job but how often do you get the perfect shot opportunity?
How about a 160 Accubond, terminal performance would be much more reliable on moose.

My buddy shoots the 178 AMax's out of his .300 WM, and while the group well, I have hears alot of horror stories when shooting game with them...

I would try a Berger 168 VLD, or Nosler 160gr Accubond, myself. Maybe even the Berger 180 VLD. I have never shot a Moose, so I am going off of a guess. I have shot deer with Nosler Accubonds, and they performed flawlessly. And this year I will be shooting deer with Berger VLD's. I have read nothing but positive reviews about the Bergers for hunting, which is why I recommended them.

 

[henrystraker]

I have read nothing but positive reviews about the Bergers for hunting, which is why I recommended them.

Thanks for that. From my experience (I have to relay this as I think it plain cruel on game not to say something).... I can safely say that 130gr .270 Berger VLDs were by far the worst bullet I have ever used on game, and by some margin. I am so astonished at their recommendation for hunting, particularly in the light of all the rave reviews that you have also become aware of, that I feel that I have to say that VLDs are not a guaranteed performer. I have shot twenty something animals from feral goats to red deer in size, from 50m to 400m, and other than spine shots (which any old piece of lump of metal will look the business when striking the spine), they were insufferably cruel in their execution of the task. If you did not have a dog to help in tracking, then you might want one! These were the hunting bullets not the target bullets which I understand people can confuse.

I can not speak more lowly of these; I cannot speak of the other VLD calibres but there are a few threads round that detail identical examples to that I experienced. I hope that this might save some unnecessary suffering should people see the early signs in experimenting with VLDs.

Back to Amaxs on moose......anyone?

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have used Nosler Accubonds on game, and they worked 100%.

That sucks about your experience with the Berger bullets. I'm going to give them a shot this year to see how well they work. They are grouping incredibly with my rifles, so hopefully they'll perform the same.

I don't shoot game in the shoulder, so hopefully I should be ok.

Where were you shooting game at? Shoulder?

 

[bigngreen]

Thanks for that. From my experience (I have to relay this as I think it plain cruel on game not to say something).... I can safely say that 130gr .270 Berger VLDs were by far the worst bullet I have ever used on game, and by some margin. I am so astonished at their recommendation for hunting, particularly in the light of all the rave reviews that you have also become aware of, that I feel that I have to say that VLDs are not a guaranteed performer. I have shot twenty something animals from feral goats to red deer in size, from 50m to 400m, and other than spine shots (which any old piece of lump of metal will look the business when striking the spine), they were insufferably cruel in their execution of the task. If you did not have a dog to help in tracking, then you might want one! These were the hunting bullets not the target bullets which I understand people can confuse.

I can not speak more lowly of these; I cannot speak of the other VLD calibres but there are a few threads round that detail identical examples to that I experienced. I hope that this might save some unnecessary suffering should people see the early signs in experimenting with VLDs.

Back to Amaxs on moose......anyone?

What was the issue and what are you shooting them from, very broad generalizations in your rant some more info would be good!!

 

[henrystraker]

What was the issue and what are you shooting them from, very broad generalizations in your rant some more info would be good!!

A .270 (as explained in the 'rant'). They didn't expand - at all.

 

[Kurt]

I would shoot the amax and not think twice if I was really close would probally not shoot the shoulder. Saw 5 mule deer and countless whitetails fall to the 162 the last few years. Only 1 elk and it did take 2 steps before it died. Will be shooting deer with the 140 amax this year. With the sd of the 7 and 6.5 I expect the same results as when I shot the 168 30 cal dead critters. If you are worried though try a bonded of some sort and rock on.

 

[bigngreen]

A .270 (as explained in the 'rant'). They didn't expand - at all.

There are several 270's out there, Win, WSM, WBY and AI just wanted to get a feel for what was going on. A good number of the guys I hunt with shoot the Bergers in their 270's, we change to them because they are flat awesome, recovered every animal shot without tracking or a second shot from coyotes to bull elk and well over 100 animals and several barrels worn out! In my experience it takes the 270 Bergers considerable distance to start exiting game like deer and elk, the centers of everything I've hit with them was jello in the middle!!!

 

[royinidaho]

Moose, you wanna shoot a moose?????

Be prepared for something you don't expect. I wasn't and it blew my mind!!!

Shooting the worst possible bullet for the animal in a not so large cartridge taught be a ton about moose.

The guarters hanging in the butcher shop came in at exactly 400 pounds. How big could it have been? Had antlers like Bullwinkle.

130 grain Sierra boattail, 3190 FPS MV. Distance 60 yards. Broadside.

Took a heart shot. Saw spot on impact and dust on far side showing full penetration. Hmmm, not supposed to happen w/that bullet. Mr. Moose never moved. Not even a twitch. I was too amazed to even consider a second shot.

Mr. Moose started walking as if nothing happened. Went about 25 yards up hill and away. Stopped as he topped the little ridge. Shot angle would have been between the rear legs into the chest cavity just above the sternum. If he would have taken another step I would have taken the shot.

Instead he started to waver then toppled, rolling back down to where I first shot. Then to my amazement he stood up. I decided whimpy bullet or not a shoulder shot would take his front wheels from under him. I'd then rope him and tie off to an aspen. Had the lasso ready. No kidding.

Went for the shoulder joint. Hit a bit high. Saw POI and dust on the other side showing another pass through. Impressed with that dinky bullet again.

Mr. Moose went down for good.

First shot had taken the heart completely out of action. What's with that?

That was my personal experience and I've talked with others with similar experience regardless of cartridge and caliber.

Moose are easier to kill than elk but they sure seem to live a long time after they are dead.

Make your first shot good and keep shootin'. . . I guess. . .

 

[MudRunner2005]

Moose, you wanna shoot a moose?????

Be prepared for something you don't expect. I wasn't and it blew my mind!!!

Shooting the worst possible bullet for the animal in a not so large cartridge taught be a ton about moose.

The guarters hanging in the butcher shop came in at exactly 400 pounds. How big could it have been? Had antlers like Bullwinkle.

130 grain Sierra boattail, 3190 FPS MV. Distance 60 yards. Broadside.

Took a heart shot. Saw spot on impact and dust on far side showing full penetration. Hmmm, not supposed to happen w/that bullet. Mr. Moose never moved. Not even a twitch. I was too amazed to even consider a second shot.

Mr. Moose started walking as if nothing happened. Went about 25 yards up hill and away. Stopped as he topped the little ridge. Shot angle would have been between the rear legs into the chest cavity just above the sternum. If he would have taken another step I would have taken the shot.

Instead he started to waver then toppled, rolling back down to where I first shot. Then to my amazement he stood up. I decided whimpy bullet or not a shoulder shot would take his front wheels from under him. I'd then rope him and tie off to an aspen. Had the lasso ready. No kidding.

Went for the shoulder joint. Hit a bit high. Saw POI and dust on the other side showing another pass through. Impressed with that dinky bullet again.

Mr. Moose went down for good.

First shot had taken the heart completely out of action. What's with that?

That was my personal experience and I've talked with others with similar experience regardless of cartridge and caliber.

Moose are easier to kill than elk but they sure seem to live a long time after they are dead.

Make your first shot good and keep shootin'. . . I guess. . .

Sounds like you wished you had had a .50 BMG with you... LOL

 

[barnesuser28]

First shot had taken the heart completely out of action. What's with that?

When the heart is destroyed, it locks oxygenated blood in the animal's organs, allowing it to go a ways, sometimes 100 yards or more.

At least thats my theory on the subject.