Advice on Moose Loads and Bullets

[Midwestguy92]

I posted a thread last week and received a lot of great advice in regards to choosing a rifle adequate to take down an Alaskan Yukon Moose but would also work for hunting around the midwest.

As suggested by many, I decided to go with the Remington 700 XCR II 300 Win Mag. Now, I could use some help deciding the weights and choices of bullets. I will only be buying factory loads and will not be doing any reloading my self. So I ask:

What is the best bullet design, weight, and brand?
The heaviest bullet I can find locally is 180 grains. Do I need more?

Thanks a million!

 

[yotehunter24]

A very close friend of mine has been a bear and moose guide in Anchorage for 25 years and while he carry a 375 Ruger as his guide gun her hunts exclusively with a 300 SAUM. HE has killed everything in north America with it including many moose from very close to beyond 800 yards. He shoots the 180 TTSX. I know there are alot of options but that's what works for him.

 

[climb-101]

I think any decent bullet will work. 2 years ago my brother got his moose shooting my 7stw with some 160 grain SMK at about 450yds. 1 shot and the moose went about 10 yards.

 

[Maina]

I was a big game outfitter and guided ,25 moose hunters a year for 20 years and the gun that slammed the moose over all guns was a 338 mag !

 

[Laelkhunter]

Swift A-Frame or Nosler Partition bullets are a good choice too.

 

[dig]

I would look to factory loads with good bonded or copper bullets, on Moose shots rarely go outside of 300 yards so my primary concern on a $20k hunt would be Bullet construction. Barnes, Federal, make some great loads. See what will shoot best in your rig, practice and run with it.

 

[alcesgigas]

I depend on a moose every year; I share with enough people to warrant amount. Total is in double digits. All have been killed with 270 Winchester using 140 grain Barnes. Only one died instantly (head at 15') the rest never went 70 yards at most. I do pick my shots. It's where one hits that's most significant; bigger bullets do increase the "lethal circle" that's all. All the recommendations from this site are right on the money provided the bullet enters that lethal ring.

If I may make a suggestion: Pretend that the whole moose is transparent excepting the heart, lungs, shoulder areas. That's your lethal circle and the transparency effect--window--helps you get there with the goods.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[snox801]

Great choice of caliber. Nosler partition all the way. Federal loads them so do a few others works every time.

 

[FEENIX]

I posted a thread last week and received a lot of great advice in regards to choosing a rifle adequate to take down an Alaskan Yukon Moose but would also work for hunting around the midwest.

As suggested by many, I decided to go with the Remington 700 XCR II 300 Win Mag. Now, I could use some help deciding the weights and choices of bullets. I will only be buying factory loads and will not be doing any reloading my self. So I ask:

What is the best bullet design, weight, and brand?
The heaviest bullet I can find locally is 180 grains. Do I need more?

Thanks a million!

IIWY, I'd use the heaviest bullet available that shoots accurately out of that rifle ... my personal choice would be Berger 210 by HSM.

Good luck and happy safe hunting.

 

[Bbear]

Since the Finns, Swedes and Norwegians have been killing moose (or elig as the Finns call them) for about 100 years with the 6.5 caliber using the 140's and 160's. I think that a quality 180 gr will be plenty for your bull. The ranges on most moose aren't that long and the 180 will be fine. As was stated earlier, if you put it in the right place the bullet will do it's job.

 

[FEENIX]

IIWY, I'd use the heaviest bullet available that shoots accurately out of that rifle ... my personal choice would be Berger 210 by HSM.

Good luck and happy safe hunting.

Also, 300 Winchester Magnum 230gr Berger Match Hybrid Target if your mag can accommodate the COAL.

 

[HARPERC]

Also, 300 Winchester Magnum 230gr Berger Match Hybrid Target if your mag can accommodate the COAL.

Applied Ballistics has these as loaded ammo.

Personally for me the best .30 caliber bullets start at 200 grains. Doesn't matter which type of bullet you prefer.

The same holds true in lesser calibers, heavy for caliber bullets offer the most performance. You can get by on less at times, but know why you're leaving performance on the table.

I have a box of managed recoiled loads on the shelf myself for less experienced shooters that may want to try a magnum for the first time. Likely kill hell out stuff applied correctly.

Not as nearly as many moose experiences as alcesgigas, but I have seen 180 grain Nosler Partitions stopped, by a bull elk, and a bull moose. Avoid big bone and muscle groups, stay in the crease visualize the vitals as has been said, and most stuff will work,

 

[86alaskan]

barnes, partition or a-frame, and make the first shot a good one. they don't have to be hard to kill, but you still want the benefit of a good bullet that's going to travel through lots of meat and hold together if it smacks a big heavy bone. no need to go extra heavy, just well made

 

[Varberger757]

From my point of view and experience you should choose the bullets like this: "As heavy as it's reasonable". That means tough/hard 200gr bullets as Partition, Woodleigh etc. or 180gr monos like the Barnes T(T)SX. Good luck!