moose rifle

[pruts]

I am fairly new to hunting and am going to get to go on my first Moose hunt in the fall next year. I have recently started looking at rifles and trying to decide what I want to buy, so I can get it in lots of time to practice with it in the summer.

I have decided that I want a bolt action, as a semi is just too much money for my budget. Any suggestions on calibre or make and a brief reason why it's your favourite would be appreciated.

Thanks

[pointing_dogs_rule]

I don't hunt moose so I will not comment on caliber. Remember the type of bullet is often just as important as the caliber (what does the bullet do once it impacts the aminals and how much penetration do you want).

As far as, guns.... Savage now makes some nice bolt action rifles (stainless) that shoot well and are reasonably priced.

good luck on your moose hunt.

the dog

[Leo]

I gather this will be your first rifle.

A 30-06 with 180gr bullets has plenty of steam for moose. It won't be a difficult to manage for a novice shooter as any of the 300s available.

Lots of great bolt guns out there to choose from. Savage makes good ones but also look at Weatherby Vanguards. There are some good deals on the Vanguards out there and they are great guns. You might find a Vanguard for less than anything else.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard/synthetic

Get the synthetic model first and then later upgrade the gun with a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock. You can buy these stocks separately.

[dbHunterNY]

some may or may not agree, but a 270, 308, and 30-06 are all enough for hunting moose. those are your non-magnum calibers that will work; the 270 being sufficient and the 30-06 being the best and bigger of the three. these are common calibers that will have ammo that costs less and there's more of it. if you go to a magnum caliber the cost of ammo goes up a bit with how hard it kicks into your shoulder. 300 win mag or 7mm Rem mag calibers are more common that I'd stick to if you go with a magnum. if you know someone with one of these calibers, then see if they'll let you shoot their gun. keep in mind that in general the smaller the caliber, the better you'll be able to shoot it.

As said above synthetic stocks and stainless or weather resistant coated barrels and actions (not blued) will take more abuse in thick rugged moose country. Look at Savage (Model 111, 110, 116), Remington (Model 700), Tikka T3 Lite, Weatherby (Vangard), and Thompson Center (Venture and Icon). Those are some options (manufacturer and models), in different price ranges, that should let you find something you like.

For future reference check the link out below. Click on the options that apply, including the game you are after....

http://www.federalpremium.com/recommendation/default.aspx

Hope that helps,

Dan

[pruts]

I gather this will be your first rifle.

A 30-06 with 180gr bullets has plenty of steam for moose. It won't be a difficult to manage for a novice shooter as any of the 300s available.

Lots of great bolt guns out there to choose from. Savage makes good ones but also look at Weatherby Vanguards. There are some good deals on the Vanguards out there and they are great guns. You might find a Vanguard for less than anything else.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard/synthetic

Get the synthetic model first and then later upgrade the gun with a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock. You can buy these stocks separately.

Yes this will be my first high powered rifle, I did muzzleload hunt Deer this year and eventhough I did not shoot a deer I did shoot at a target before season quite a bit and had no problem with recoil at all. ( I'm a decent size guy).

Thanks for the tip I will definitely look up what Weatherby has to offer and Savage is one I have looked at, they do have some models with good reveiws at a decent price.

[pruts]

some may or may not agree, but a 270, 308, and 30-06 are all enough for hunting moose. those are your non-magnum calibers that will work; the 270 being sufficient and the 30-06 being the best and bigger of the three. these are common calibers that will have ammo that costs less and there's more of it. if you go to a magnum caliber the cost of ammo goes up a bit with how hard it kicks into your shoulder. 300 win mag or 7mm Rem mag calibers are more common that I'd stick to if you go with a magnum. if you know someone with one of these calibers, then see if they'll let you shoot their gun. keep in mind that in general the smaller the caliber, the better you'll be able to shoot it.

As said above synthetic stocks and stainless or weather resistant coated barrels and actions (not blued) will take more abuse in thick rugged moose country. Look at Savage (Model 111, 110, 116), Remington (Model 700), Tikka T3 Lite, Weatherby (Vangard), and Thompson Center (Venture and Icon). Those are some options (manufacturer and models), in different price ranges, that should let you find something you like.

For future reference check the link out below. Click on the options that apply, including the game you are after....

http://www.federalpremium.com/recommendation/default.aspx

Hope that helps,

Dan

Thanks Dan. Any info is a help for sure.

I do like the synthetic stock for durability, my shot gun and muzzleloader are both synthetic.

[fly]

Years ago I wanted to buy a rifle that was enough for all North American big game. The Remmington 300 Ultra Magnum does just that. It comes in three power loads from deer (power level 1) to elk (power level 2) and brown bear/moose (power level 3).

I've only hunted black bear with it so far. Power level 2 went through both shoulders of a 150lb bear as well as a 200 lb bear.

[m gardner]

From what I've seen moose are even more resistant to lead than elk so if you are going to kill one with a 30-06 or 270 be sure to keep shooting the same animal. Don't think you missed if the animal just walks off and shoot another or you'll have lots of untagged meat on the ground eventually. Good luck on your hunt.

Mark

[Shaun_300]

I think the ideal moose caliber is one of the .300 Mags, weather it'd be the Win Mag, WSM, RUM, Weatherby. That doesn't mean the .30-06, .270 or .308 won't do the job. A guy I deer hunt with has a beautiful custom .300 Win Mag and chooses to take his Browning BLR .308 moose hunting as well as deer hunting. Does the job quite well. One of the old timers that used to deer hunt with us used his .32 Win Spl and killed them.

I like the Remington 700s and the Sako 78 & 85s. The Browning A-Bolt and X-Bolt rifles are also very nice weapons. Those are all fairly pricey unless you get a more plain 700. Like said above, Savage and Weatherby both make some nice inexpensive bolt action rifles.

[Tecumseh]

For Elk and Moose I use a 300 WSM or a 300 H&H Mag.

[pruts]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I also asked some friends and think I have decided on a Savage Edge 03-06 bolt action. It has lots of good reveiws online and I also like the non-magnum ammo cheaper price tag.

[Dakota]

A good .30-06 loaded with 180 gr. bullets will do just fine. I shot a buffalo with that load last year and dropped him right in his tracks. If it'll do that to the largest North American land animal, then it will dump a moose just fine. Here's a link to that buffalo kill if you're interested: YouTube - Dakota Case Buffalo Hunt Happy Hunting!

Dakota

[scottb]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I also asked some friends and think I have decided on a Savage Edge 03-06 bolt action. It has lots of good reveiws online and I also like the non-magnum ammo cheaper price tag.

You picked a fine rifle and a great calibur. I've been hunting big game here in Montana for over 30 years, and for almost everyone of them i hunted with a Savage 110 in 30'06. Was absolutely never disappointed in performance of the rifle, and shooting federal Premium loads i was never disappointed in the ammo.

The old 30'06 is absolutely more then enough gun to bring down a moose, i've taken 2 moose over the years with mine, as well as several elk, numerous deer, and 15 bears. Heck i've even used it to take antelope in Eastern Montana, and coyotes here in the west. Once you start shooting it, it will be come addictive, again great choice!!

[pruts]

First I would like to apologize to Dakota.. I did watch the video link you posted. I must have just forgot to comment on it. Very cool indeed, looks like you managed to get fairly close. Or dose it look closer to me on video than it actually was?

I always like watching any hunting videos or pictures! Keep them coming.

Second thanks to everyone who gave their opinions and advice, it's greatly appreciated. I bought a Savage Axis XP today online from Cabelas. Black synthetic stock comes with a 3-9x40mm scope mounted on it. The description online doesn't say but the combo at my local gun shop was a Bushnell so I would assume it will be as well. They just couldn't get what I wanted at the price I wanted or I would have got it there.

Cant wait till it comes in. Should be in about a week or so. I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

[silvertip_co]

you will never go wrong with any 30-06 for any game in north america that wont eat you, and most that will eat you. semi-auto's are ok but you'll do better with anybodys bolt action. Leo's suggestions as always are excellent. good luck on the moose hunt. i hear its the best venison out there.