I have a question for those of you who hunt moose. I am going to Newfoundland in October, and I have debated on my gun choice. My initial thought is that most of the moose in this area are much smaller than the Yukon variety, and the average weight was going to be around 800lbs. According to the outfitter, the shots will be inside 200 yds, so I am planning on taking my 270 wby mag with 150 gr Noslers. I am not normally a rifle hunter as I prefer a bow, but this is definitely the rifle that I am most comfortable with. Should I be concerned about the gun for this size animal at these ranges? Most of my other rifles range from 243's to 270, since that is what my kids deer hunt with. Any opinions or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!
Caliber for Newfoundland Moose
- Thread starter Engideer
- Start date
sneakypete
Veteran member
The 270 will do the job, I took my BC moose with my 7mm 175 gr corelokt. One shot in the neck. Then the work began
. Good luck on your hunt! Be sure to take pictures and keep us informed!
. Good luck on your hunt! Be sure to take pictures and keep us informed!We've taken two large Shiras bulls with a 30-06 and 180gr. Barnes TTSX bullets. Worked well. I'd be equally comfortable with your 270Wby and 150 partitions. Unless you are a crack shot, like sneakypete, and make a cns hit, prepare yourself to take a couple follow up shots. They are large and can take a while to react to a traditional lung shot. Both of ours took multiple rounds, even though the first was a fatal hit, all were double lung hits with maybe a little heart damage on one shot. Not being overly familiar with Moose anatomy, we just poked a hole low in the chest on a broadside shot and followed up till he dropped. Maybe 10-15 seconds. Moose is outstanding on the table, best roasts ever. Have fun!
JimP
Administrator
I have always heard that moose are not that hard to kill, but they are hard to get out of where they died.
An outfitter friend of mine in British Colombia had a hunter a couple of years ago that was packing a 300 Win mag. They found a moose at 150 yards and took a shot....the moose just stood there. The hunter then took a second shot.....the moose just stood there. They walked a little closer and took a third shot.....the moose just stood there. Then just before they were going to take the fourth shot the moose just fell over. He had been hit 3 times and all 3 shots would of killed him but he just didn't know that he was dead.
An outfitter friend of mine in British Colombia had a hunter a couple of years ago that was packing a 300 Win mag. They found a moose at 150 yards and took a shot....the moose just stood there. The hunter then took a second shot.....the moose just stood there. They walked a little closer and took a third shot.....the moose just stood there. Then just before they were going to take the fourth shot the moose just fell over. He had been hit 3 times and all 3 shots would of killed him but he just didn't know that he was dead.
Agreed and matches our two Moose kills exactly. They are large and it just takes a bit for the body to react and the lights to go out I suspect, absent a cns hit.
stevevan
Active Member
Your rifle set-up will be just fine, as always a premium bullet in the vitals is what's needed. I have a hunt for Newfoundland moose booked for Oct. 2017. My rifle of choice is a 7mm Remington with 175 Nosler Partition. That combo performed great for me on an Alaskan/Yukon bull, B.C. moose, and a Shiras in Wyoming. All tipped over rather quick. Good luck on your hunt and please post a report!
When researching the one rifle i was going to buy (15 years ago when the budget was limited), I wanted something that could take all North American game. Research pointed me towards the 30-06.
In my research I read of Norwegian and Swedish hunters who routinely took Moose with 6mm calibers. Get a good expanding bullet, like Nosler partition, and you should be good to go.
In my research I read of Norwegian and Swedish hunters who routinely took Moose with 6mm calibers. Get a good expanding bullet, like Nosler partition, and you should be good to go.
Extractor
Active Member
I think as long as you plunk him broadside or near to it you shouldn't have any problem with a 270 Wby. Like everyone has said, (except for deadeye sneakypete, that sniper dude), moose can absorb a bit of punishment. All three Iv'e shot have taken multiple hits from a 7mm mag, a 338, and a 325 wsm. None went farther than 10 or 15 yards and none would have survived a single shot. But hey, I like hearing my gun go boom, and it lightens my bag for the ride home.
sneakypete
Veteran member
Extractor, thanks for the kind words! Engineer, a word of warning, once you take your first moose you'll get hooked! It's the best meat to.
Huntinguy0120
Member
I hunted Woodland Caribou in Newfoundland. That area is definitely more moose country than caribou country but damn we had a good time back in '09. .270 Wby Mag will be plenty of gun. Send photos! I miss that place.
Catahoula12
Very Active Member
I've shot a 330 bull elk in Arizona with my .270 Winchester. You won't have any issues. Plenty of gun imo...good luck!! Shot placement, shot placement.
Winchester
Veteran member
I agree with this completely. I stood next to a friend who hit one in the lungs three time with a 30-06 from only about 100 yards and it just stood there. It finally fell over a few seconds later. Shot placement is crucial and you may need a follow-up shot or two.
Haha, I'm going to risk it! I went on "one" elk hunt and now I haven't missed a season in 12 years!
Thanks everyone! I am definitely going to take it then. I'll just be ready to keep shooting until he is down! I'll get back on here after I go, and let you know how it went! We are going to have a good time, and hopefully bring home a couple of moose!
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
I'd take a 340 wby mag.
If you're definitely using your 270wby, I'd want any premium 150gr bullet probably.
New gun option...?
338 win mag
340 Wby.
everyone needs a 375H&H right?
I think anything from .30-375 would be the ideal dose...
Good luck!
If you're definitely using your 270wby, I'd want any premium 150gr bullet probably.
New gun option...?
338 win mag
340 Wby.
everyone needs a 375H&H right?
I think anything from .30-375 would be the ideal dose...
Good luck!
Well he might just surprise you and fold up on the first shot. Harvested a meat cow Buffalo in SD for the tribe that folded up with one hit from 270 Win.
Swedishhunter
Member
- Jun 24, 2016
- 97
- 6
I am from Sweden and have taken several moose with 6.5x55 Swede. I originally hunted moose with a 30.06, but found it was overkill and traded down to a 6.5mm. Shot placement and bullet selection is key.