Ripper Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I consider myself a SCOPE'r but recently decided I wanted to get a new gun for moose hunting. I don't need another deer cartridge, this gun will strictly be for moose. I want to go big. Can I get your opinions on 300 mags in both long and short, 338 mags, both long and short and might as well consider the 325 as well. not converting, simply expanding my horizons.... SCOPE'r forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Any of the above would be good choices. You may want to stick with a "standard" magnum cartridge as some of the newer ones might not be available everywhere if something happens and your ammo gets seperated from your gear. If it were me looking for a new moose level cartridge I'd go with a 375H&H. FWIW hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 I'm somewhat partial to the 338 family myself. Great selection of guns to choose from and ammo selection is wide open. Enough power for anything in North America, however, a little more never hurts. There are also a lot of choices in the 375 family. But, by the time I start looking there I get 416 envy. Then I just start thinking 50 BMG........................... Man, these big-bores are like cheerleaders..........I like them all. Have a great day JJL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Any of the rifle calibers qualifying for Silver or Gold OTPG membership (as designated in the "sticky" post at the top of this forum room) should do quite nicely on moose. Platinum rifle calibers would be more than some would deem necessary..................but then that's what we OTPG'ers live for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripper Posted January 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 I guess, what I should ask is, if I am looking at a 338 what are your opinions of a 338 Mag vs smaller 325 Short Mag? Does the reduction in recoil make the Short Mag worth while or do you lose too much in "punch"? If I'm looking at the 325 Short Mag, does it far exceed the ballistics of the 300 Mag? Is the 325 Short Mag the answer. Am I better with a 338 Mag, 300 Mag or 300 Short Mag? Perhaps like most other caliber arguments, there isn't an answer, there all slightly different, their all good? I'm looking for a new gun and after I buy it, I don't want to get the, " I wish I would have's......." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 I looked into getting a .325 WSM and if I remember right, ballistic wise it is comparable to the .338 only less recoil, I heard the recoil could be compared to a hyper 30.06 someone else can confirm all this. Personally, I was a fan of the .325 and one of these days I'll own one. Only problem with it compared to the .338 is ammo availability. If the .325 doesn't stick you may have problems finding ammo in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Recoil-wise, there ain't gonna be a lick of difference between 300 WSM, 300 Win, 325 WSM or 338 Win in similar rifles. None of them are going to hurt you. Nor will a moose know the difference getting hit by one or the other three. Ammo cost and availability edge would go to the 300 Win first, then the 338, followed by the shorts. Don't overlook the 350 Rem or the 375 H&H. Both are also right up for the task and with the H&H, especially......you place yourself into a whole new level of versatility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 I was faced with this same decision 12 months ago, .325wsm or .338 win mag. Chose the 338.........here's why. 1. I don't handload ammo. So I need ammo. The hardware store in town, wally world, and the sporting goods store all have .338, in a variety of loads.........found 1 box of .325 2. Go to Gunbroker.com and search .338 hundreds of options..............325 not so much. 3. Ballistically we're splitting hairs. The .325 was Winchesters attempt at making a .338 wsm ...........I'm no fan of trying to re-invent the wheel, if it ain't broke-why fix it type of mentality. 4. I would rather spend a day shooting my .338 vs. my 7mm mag. Big push compared to a sharp jab. I've never shot the 325, would think that it would be a little sharp, but the difference would be negligable. 5. Besides that, .338 is bigger than .325..........it makes them more deaderer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 If I was going to get a moose only gun I'd probably get a .338 Win Mag or .325 WSM. You're right though, the .338 is probably more practical because shells are more readily available, more selection and probably better price too. I've already got a .300 Win Mag and .300 WSM, got the short mag a few years ago and the win mag has sat in the cabinet ever since. I use it for both deer and moose. Haven't killed a moose with it yet but I know it'll do the job quick and clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 I'm really looking at the .375 ruger. Just waiting to see what other gun manf. make a bolt rifle in the .375 ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetucker Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 i was in the market for a big caliber riffle not only for long range but also for these big bodacious maine moose we have here.but than again the day before i started looking i missed(didn't get to get a shot off)at a huge swamp buck because there was to much brush in my way,so i also wanted something that would go through a small tree and still do the job.so i ended up getting a pro-hunter and bought two barrels,a 45-70and a 375 h&h and to tell ya the truth the 375h&h impressed the heck out of me.that WILL be my new moose gun for sure acurate and distance isn't to bad either.so after all my babbling my bet would ne the 375h&h!! p.s. wally world has all kinds of them there loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 .......i ended up getting a pro-hunter and bought two barrels,a 45-70and a 375 h&h and to tell ya the truth the 375h&h impressed the heck out of me.that WILL be my new moose gun for sure acurate and distance isn't to bad either.so after all my babbling my bet would ne the 375h&h!! Sounds like another OTPG membership just waiting to happen. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sounds like another OTPG membership just waiting to happen. :D:D Yep...sounds like our kind of guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tped Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 If you plan to travel to hunt go with the 338. Should something happen to your ammo during travel the 338 is a widely accepted caliber in Moose country so buying new ammo should be easy. Might not be the case for the 325. Much as these new calibers are interesting it is difficult to turn from the old tried and true calibers such as 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag & 375 H&H. You can buy bullets at any reputable outdoor or gun shop in areas of big game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripper Posted February 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Sounds like another OTPG membership just waiting to happen. :D:D Sorry guys... I just think you need a bigger gun for a 1000 lb animal. My .308 or .243 are just perfect for whitetail. Not just that.... I love COCOA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Your 308 will work perfectly on a moose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Sorry guys... I just think you need a bigger gun for a 1000 lb animal. My .308 or .243 are just perfect for whitetail. Not just that.... I love COCOA! That's quite alright. The part about a "future OTPG membership" was directed at DaveT, anyways. Sounds like you'll be safe, sound and happy up on the porch with OJR and the boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkillemquick Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Sorry guys... I just think you need a bigger gun for a 1000 lb animal. My .308 or .243 are just perfect for whitetail. Not just that.... I love COCOA! Stick with the 308, works great on moose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 My .338 Browning A-bolt has been great for moose and black bear hunting.This is the caliber that puts 85% of the meat on our table. Also, I feel comfortable with it as adequate for brown bear protection(although still pack a .44 in addition). This Browning does not seem to have much recoil....and , it holds up under the weather. It seems that the majority of quick moose kills up here are the true double-lungers.Moose do go down easier, and don't seem to run as readily or as far as other species.(I know,I am generalising)...A lot of our friends and neighbors successfully use a 30-06, 270, or 308 for moose....don't hear too often of a .375 routinly used - unless going to Kodiak for a brown bear hunt.(we do have a .375 H&H). Also, the availability of the .338 round and cost, as has been mentioned by others previously, are factors to consider. I can't say enough positive things about my .338 Browning....especially for moose.Does anyone have any suggestions on comfortable slings that don't slide off your shoulder when climbing?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Welcome to the forums Aksheephuntress. Great to see a hunter not afraid of recoil. It opens up a whole new world of shooting. Some are just destined to stay on the porch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripper Posted February 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thanks everyone. I have my eye on a SAKO 85 synthetic stainless in a 338 WIN MAG. I'll let you know when I part with the $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thanks everyone. I have my eye on a SAKO 85 synthetic stainless in a 338 WIN MAG. I'll let you know when I part with the $. Atta boy!!!! You'll be killin' stuff deader in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Definately a cocoa lover here, but here's some info from winchester.com that may help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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