gun/caliber?

Question

What gun/caliber would you recommend for taking down a bull elk or moose?

Answer 1

I like a 30 06, unless I expect shots out past 300yds. Many other rifles work as well, but I like it because it's a good all around rifle, with factory loads from 110 grain, to 220 grain. And ammo is available almost everywhere.

Answer 2

This is simple, bullet construction is more important than caliber, any 270,7mm, 30 cal or larger will do the job. just pick a good bonded core or a-frame constructed bullet, if you hand load this will be know problem, if you dont blackhills, federal and winchester make loads with these type bullets, pick a heavier bullet, 270 @ 140 grain and up, 7mm @ 160 grain and up, 30 cal @ 165 and up.

Just remember the bigger the cartridge the more the recoil, you must practice shooting at realistic distences, in field positions.

If you are looking for the latest and greatest fedral came out with the .325 federal (based off the 308 casing) also so the 325 wsm.

As for rifles Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Savage all make quality rifles with Savage being the lowest price. Get a good scope, Leupold or Burris. And you cant go wrong.

good luck and happy hunting

Answer 3

For rifles, at least a good bolt-action in .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, or other cartridge in this bullet weight/diameter/velocity class loaded with a solidly-built 180 grain bullet will deliver enough punch to do the job with correct shot placement at acceptable ranges. You can do the job with .300, .338, and .375 magnum rifle cartridges, but most hunters can handle the recoil of a .30-06 Springfield much better than they can handle the recoil of those 30 caliber-plus magnum rifle cartridges (not to mention a .30-06 rifle is handier, lighter, and quicker on target than many magnum rifles.) This is something you can do with a good bolt-action rifle on factory ammunition.

If you must hunt with an iron-sighted levergun, then .45-70 Government and .444 Marlin will handle moose. However, these are relatively light guns firing big heavy bullets at higher velocities. Recoil will be a bit more unpleasant.

If you're crazy enough to be wanting to hunt elk and moose with a handgun, either a Ruger or Freedom Arms revolver, or, heaven forbid, a bend-in-the-middle T/C Contender, then you're talking about cartridges like the .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Linebaugh, .460 Smith and Wesson Magnum, and .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum. These will handle bull moose. Heavy Ruger-only .45 Colt, heavy .44 Magnum, and .480 Ruger will handle elk and moose around half a ton in weight. Recoil of these big-bore hunting handguns, however, will be severe, and ranges will be inside 100 yards.

Answer 4

30.06 ? sounds like a broken record in here. Try to think outside the box. Maybe a 45-70 or 450Marlin ? To be completely honest, I would pick anything in that area before a 30.06. Just remember, your hunting to kill, not hunting to find maybe ? A well placed 30.06 round will leave you looking for your bull while he bleeds to death. Either of the 45cal rounds above will limit his running ability to 20 yards max. If your not the best shot in the world, it makes even more since to go with a heavy hitter.

Marlin makes both calibers in their rifles ( Lever-Action) They are excellent quality and hard to kill. The price will be the same or less compared to a bolt action in 30.06 and a much better gun if you decide to go hunting for something else in the future !

In responce to "Dont listen to me" at no point in time durring his question did he say reduced recoil ! Knock down power is not the point, rather the fact that the 45cal rounds do more damage and more energy is retained within the target. I have spent 12 years of my life hunting Safari. Theres a reason they dont use 30.06 rounds to shoot lions. They need to make sure he doesnt charge. A 45/70 is a mild recoil caliber. If you have issues with the recoil of a 45/70, then you might not want to shoot at an large game. Any of the calibers respected for large game hunting have about the same recoil if not more !

Yes it is amazing what you will hear in this place. Maybe you should question your intell before you question others. I think my best answer percentage speaks for my knowlege. I would be happy to teach you about ballistics and knock down power if you were willing to sign up for a few classes. I give them 4 days a week !

Answer 5

You need nothing bigger then a 30-06 with a 180 or 200 grain bullet.
These two species have been hunted successfully with a 30-30 Winchester.
It all in shot placement, magnums and bigger calibers are a poor substitution for accuracy.
No need to over gun such game.

As to rifle any of the following are quality weapons.
Ruger M77
Remington 700
Thompson Center Encore

***If your on a budget***
Savage or Mossberg make a fine affordable bolt action that is of high quality.

That my opinion.

D58

Answer 6

30

Answer 7

You could take one down with a .243 if you wanted to but an all round good calibre would be a .30-06 or a .308 would be a good choice. As for gun I'd say if your hunting in heavy bush get a carbine such as the Winchester model 88 although a lever action and less accurate than a bolt its gonna be easier to carry in the bush and my dad has one and have bagged alot of game with that rifle.

Hope that helps

Answer 8

Anything in .30-06 or .7mm Magnum. Second choice the .308 Winchester. Any good Remington 700 rifle in the mentioned calibers.

H

Answer 9

The largest one that doesn't make you flinch.270 and up to 338.Most popular is 200gr. 30/06.Magnums only really necessary for long range shots.Don't listen to this guy about 40 caliber stuff.99 percent of people can't handle a 45/70 recoil.Big-bores are obsolete with controlled expansion bullets available.Knock-down power is a myth.Shoot a buddys gun first so you know what to expect.Lever action?Oh my god.You never know what you're gonna get in here.lol

Answer 10

.338 Win Mag. caliber. Rifle? Ruger 77 or Remington 700 series. Best rifles for the money.