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Any 308 bullet suggestions for Moose?
I have lots of Winchester Super X Power Points in 180 gr. for deer hunting but I'm not so sure they are suitable for moose. They are very effective on deer and group under 1/2 moa in my rifle. I'm wondering if they are too soft for the thicker, tougher hide of moose, and of course the need to penetrate deeper. If you guys think they are up to the mission I'll stick with them, if not i'm open to suggestons. I'd like to stick with 180 gr. Partly because I just have more faith in a heavy bullet and also because with the same weight bullets there's less scope fiddling to adjust for moose and readjust again for deer. Thanks.
Replies
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=156779
Black Hills .308 with 180gr Nosler Accubonds. Black Hills is the one maker where it is almost pointless trying to get reloads to get to shoot as good as their stuff.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=338130
...if you'ld feel better w/ a controlled expansion bullet (I would), these would be worth a try...
http://store.thehuntingshack.com/hsm308winchester180grgrandslam.aspx
...thing to remember, your 12" basketball-like kill zone covers 75% of a deer's chest, about the lower 1/2 on an elk, only about the lower third on a moose, dead center on a moose is like punching a couple holes in a 55gal. drum (yes, you can crawl inside 'em), same thing on the neck, you shoot centerline on the neck, you might get lucky & clip the top of a vertebra, spine's in the lower 1/2...
Tvracinfan, I've never tried Ultra Bonded Corelokts but the regular Corelokts didn't group well in my rifle. Generally about 2". When I can get under 1/2 moa with other ammo that isn't acceptable. Of course the Ultras might be a different ballgame.
Gene, I've never heard of HSM ammo before. Speer is of course a good reputable bullet though. The site doesn't really say anything about the round.
Should I generally be looking for a bonded core bullet? Is a polymer tip of some sort also something to look for? Thanks everyone for your input.
However, if you really wanted to experiment...and who doesn't?.....the above suggestions are good ones! If you try reloading Accubonds remember they are fairly long bullets, 180's in the 308 case are going to eat up a LOT of powder space as compared to those power point 180's.
The HSM/Bitterroot Valley stuff gets good reviews, is cheap, and uses a proven bullet. That Grand Slam is right up there with Partitions and A-Frames...that's good company to be in.
Excellent suggestion, I agree, good choice and good advice indeed. :that:
Yeah, seat those .308 bullets in a 30-06 or larger case. A moose can be HUGE and I wouldn't want to be undergunned. Remember, they can be dangerous.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
I'm in no way playing down the Eastern Moose he is hunting, but, they are not Yukon's. Eastern and Shiras are quite a bit smaller, and when people think of moose they usually think of the 1500lbs Yukon monsters with racks wide as most are tall, or wider. They can all be dangerous, and large, but a 308 is still plenty. For Yukon moose....I'd be more apt for a larger caliber then a .30 cal of any sort.
I look at it the same way as an "elk" rifle for Colorado. For me, its a common every year thing. I could get away with something smaller/more common or what have you (if thats what I wanted), but I totally understand the desire to have something new and more powerful if you are dropping the same price as a new fully loaded Kia to hunt here.
I think he had to shoot the cow he killed twice, but at fairly close range.
This is strictly anecdotal. You mileage may vary.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
As for the moose, it most likely won't be anything too huge. My tag is for a cow only (or a bull with antlers smallers than his ears) so I'm guessing the critter I'll shoot will be in the 500 lb range.
Thanks again for all your input!
Try something else besides the power points, they are awesome of deer and average to medium size game, but they do not hold together as well as some to the other choices you have out there for the 308. They will work but why take the chance when the bullet is such a little expense compared to everything else that goes into your hunting trip.
I agree that the .308 is fine. I would suggest going with the Black Hills ammo though. It is a bit more expensive than the others but their stuff is well worth it. It is the most accurate factory ammo I have ever shot in .223 and .308 and according to the reviews on Midway, the stuff I showed you is no different. If you look at Nosler's website, that bullet will expand on down to 1800 fps and will stay together at any velocity. The few extra bucks is good insurance when a 500 pound moose in the freezer is at stake, IMO.
...HSM makes loads for "Best of the West", loads will be near max., but call 'em & ask. Now after careful consideration, & checking on my ballistics program, I've changed my mind...
http://store.thehuntingshack.com/hsm308winchester165grgrandslam.aspx
...the 165's will give you higher velocity/ more energy w/o sacrificing any bullet performance out to 300yds.
...might wanna grab a couple boxes of these to check your "Zero"...
http://store.thehuntingshack.com/hsm308winchester165grgrandslam-1.aspx
...I've used the 165gr. GrandSlams on elk & mule deer, the bullet will work fine on moose...
Well you boys from the Northern Climes know infinitely more about such things as moose than I do. I've only seen one moose live in my life in the wild up close (Well I have seen 3 or 4 at a distance in Alberta once), and that was in Alaska where my nephew was driving us around on the base at Fort Richardson and that thing made me think .458 Lott or something. But I'm like this; I will use 22 cf on deer and even hogs. I wouldn't feel so comfy with Elk and as things get bigger so does my imagination. Also, if i go Moose hunting it will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience so I will take some form of large bore magnum and leave the deer rifles at home. With regard to the MN Throwaways remember, Bell used a 6.5 and a 7x57 for pacyderms, but that doesn't make me want to recommend it for them. Anyway, If a .308 will work, a 300 Mag. is better, and a .338 is even much better. OK that's the extent of my wisdom or my best guess on this subject.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
There will definately be a follow up report after the hunt.
Shawn
Good choice, let us all know how it does.
Adam J. McCleod
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee