Hunting & Fishing 7mm-08 Cow moose loads?

[Larry Jones]

Any users out there that have experimented with maxing out the little 7 for a possible cow moose hunt? My daughter shoots a factory gun with a 9.5 twist and she can handle much more recoil than what it offers.

It doesn't have to be a long range rig, shots most likely under 150 yards, but want to pack as punch into that little gun as possible. I'm thinking an 170 or 180 bonded round nose, but not sure about stabilization. Thoughts?

 

[264win]

A 160 grain Nosler Partition would be my choice.
But any quality bullet such as Barnes, Swift, trophy Bonded, etc will do fine

 

[Larry Jones]

As a long time user of the partition, it will be on the top of the pile to try.

 

[Codiekfx400]

I would agree that a stiff dose of rl16 behind a partition just might get the job done.

 

[cornhusker86]

Considering how many moose are taken each year in Sweden with 6.5x55's you shouldn't have any trouble with the 7mm08. A 160gr. partition should do the trick.

 

[VP47PPC]

160 Speer Grand slam

 

[WeiserBucks]

Partition gets my vote

 

[MarineWinger]

I dropped a cow elk this year with a Barnes LRX 175 in my 300 wm. She went about 10 yards. Found the bullet under the far side fur...looked just like the advertised pics. Bullet expanded perfect and had ~99% weight retention. Seeing that, I’m sold on the all copper Barnes bullets for my hunting loads

 

[45.308]

What species of moose and where are you hunting?

Another 160gr Partition recommendation. From short range high velocity to longer range slow velocity on thin bone and thick bone, they never fail. Its your hunt but not sure you need to hot rod 7.08 at around 150 yards since you asked. Maybe for Alaska Yukon moose do to the size and mass with shots 200-300 yards but a well constructed bullet placed in the engine room is all that is required.

Alaska Yukon are the largest compared to Shiras down south and the European moose that are quite a bit smaller.

good luck

 

[XTREM HTR16]

140 or 150 grain Nosler E-tip or 140 Barnes TTSX/TSX could do the trick.

 

[idahoorion]

I have a buddy who lives and hunts in Alaska with a 7 08, I asked him about it and he said "you don't knock a moose down. you pound em once or twice and they walk or trot out and fall over" he used 160's, although I never saw him shoot a moose with it, (but I have feasted on several of his) he did shoot a bull caribou at 325 with it and it was a hammer.

idahoorion

 

[Grand]

I'd shoot a 120g TTSX running 3000 fps+. Full penetration and no chance of coming apart.

 

[WB300]

I'd shoot a 120g TTSX running 3000 fps+. Full penetration and no chance of coming apart.

This is what i currently shoot in my Tikka for game. I'd like to hear @45.308 opinion/experience on these.

 

[SuburbanHick]

Barnes bullets....... ive never seen one come apart or fail to open.. even on 300+ lb texas boars out of a 308 win at extended (400ish yards)... full penetration

 

[mudpig]

140gr TSX would be all you need

 

[30338]

Shot a cow moose with a 30-06 and a 180 accubond. It ran around about 40 yards and fell over dead. Bullet exited on about a 200 yard shot. The 7mm-08 would do great with any of the bullets listed. The shots need not be long range and any kind of 140 or 150 would do fine.

 

[Blackkettle]

Just make sure you dont go to heavy for your barrel twist, heavy aint always better.
Penetration and energy transfer is what its about.