B.C Moose Hunt

[Raven34]

Just booked a 2022 Moose/Mule deer hunt in British Columbia. This will be my first moose hunt so I'm looking for for a little advice. The outfitter I'm going through only lets .30 cal and larger. What caliber have you guys been successful with on your hunts. I was thinking of either going with a 300 prc, 300 norma, or 338 lapua. I'm going to be taking my DT SRS A1 on this hunt.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sean the Nailer]

I've not used the first two calibers that you suggest. As for the Lapua, these are "Moose" not mastodon.

Not for nothing, and there's no rhyme nor reason to it, but there are laws in Canada prohibiting "bullpup style stocks". Now, does that mean that there aren't any for sale up here, no. But seeing as you're coming in over the Border, it 'could' be an issue. I suggest you follow up on that before your trip.

Here's hoping that you've no issues, AND that you have a great trip.

 

[rlsmith1]

300 Wby worked just fine a couple years ago. I would focus more on the bullet than the cartridge because as Sean said, they will die and many have been killed with a 270 and 30-06. I would suggest a Partition or similar bullet. Probably wouldn't go Accubond type. If you already have a 300 Win Mag, PRC or Norma, I would go that route. Otherwise the Lapua would work as would a 338 Win Mag.

Enjoy the hunt!!

 

[Matt_3479]

We do an annual moose hunt and the guy in the group who has the most moose kills (my dad) shoots a 270. Win and never has an issue. Any of the 30’s would work. Pick which one your most interested in. I’m shooting the 300 Norma but had a winny in the past. The Norma is my new moose medicine but haven’t tested it yet.

 

[zeroz]

30-06 killed one just fine. Anything else is just extra insurance, tissue damage and recoil. I would say the answer is whatever your next LR/ELR gun wants to be. It'll get a lot more time at that than poking holes in moose. Of those mentioned I would go PRC to get away from the belt.

 

[adamjma]

Not for nothing, and there's no rhyme nor reason to it, but there are laws in Canada prohibiting "bullpup style stocks". Now, does that mean that there aren't any for sale up here, no. But seeing as you're coming in over the Border, it 'could' be an issue. I suggest you follow up on that before your trip.

Not entirely correct - you cannot CONVERT a firearm (barrelled action) into a shorter firearm through the use of a bullpup stock. So mounting anything into the MK Machining chassis would be illegal. However, a firearm that is a bullpup design to begin with is fine. Go figure.

That said, OP should confirm with the outfitter and authorities so there are no surprises.

 

[264win]

I would choose the 300 win for hunting. Any of the calibers listed are more than sufficient.

 

[7mmMato]

I Killed mine with a 6.5-06 and 127 LRX 1 shot. 2 other hunters in camp were using .300 Win Mags. One wounded a bull they never found and the other shot one in the ass and the guide had to finish it before it swam into a lake. So moral to the story is use what you can shoot accurately and make a good shot. Good Luck and Enjoy the Hunt BC is beautiful and the people are extremely nice.

 

[Baron23]

Uh, we did it this way when I was in the USAF...hahaha...sorry, just needed a bit of levity today. Best of luck on your hunt.

 

[Billdoe708]

I'm going 338 win mag

 

[grinnergetter]

Taken two moose with 300WM, used Nosler Partitions 180. Recovered both bullets. Killed them just fine.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Just booked a 2022 Moose/Mule deer hunt in British Columbia. This will be my first moose hunt so I'm looking for for a little advice. The outfitter I'm going through only lets .30 cal and larger. What caliber have you guys been successful with on your hunts. I was thinking of either going with a 300 prc, 300 norma, or 338 lapua. I'm going to be taking my DT SRS A1 on this hunt.

Thanks in advance

Id go with an 8 twist 300 prc or Norma mag shooting this bullet
https://badlandsprecision.com/product/308-205gr-super-bulldozer-2/

 

[brianf]

338 win mag...no way
I think it’s hurts the shooter more than the animal

 

[Sean the Nailer]

338 win mag...no way
I think it’s hurts the shooter more than the animal

As was said to me many years ago, when I carried one out West:

"You don't go hunting with a .338 Win Mag.... you go BOWLING with a .338 Win Mag."

 

[Jef-in-AZ]

Of the ones you list 300 Win. my personal preference would be 375 H&H Just because I’ve used it for hunting than any other rifle of mine, recoil is no issue, minimal meat damage, and it just flat works.

 

[Mavrykk]

I live up in northern BC. And take a moose every year.
The territory up here doesnt typically allow for long shots anyways. We have some seriously thick bush up here. so thick that you cant hunt it. Very few Random fields, lots of pipelines and lots of backroads.
Ive never taken a moose or any other animals up here further than 60 yards.
I've used both my 300prc and 30-06 to kill moose. Both only needed 1 shot. Both killed equally as fast.
You could literally get away with a cheap 30-06 scoped for 100yrds. It would literally be all you need up here. Anything more than a 300wm is overkill for the situations you'll encounter here.
And if you're being guided theyll most likely call one in for you anyways. I can guarantee you it will be an up close hunting experience for you.
If your guide cant get you a moose inside 100 yards here, he's a terrible guide.
Where abouts in BC will your hunt be?

 

[Raven34]

I live up in northern BC. And take a moose every year.
The territory up here doesnt typically allow for long shots anyways. We have some seriously thick bush up here. so thick that you cant hunt it. Very few Random fields, lots of pipelines and lots of backroads.
Ive never taken a moose or any other animals up here further than 60 yards.
I've used both my 300prc and 30-06 to kill moose. Both only needed 1 shot. Both killed equally as fast.
You could literally get away with a cheap 30-06 scoped for 100yrds. It would literally be all you need up here. Anything more than a 300wm is overkill for the situations you'll encounter here.
And if you're being guided theyll most likely call one in for you anyways. I can guarantee you it will be an up close hunting experience for you.
If your guide cant get you a moose inside 100 yards here, he's a terrible guide.
Where abouts in BC will your hunt be?

It’s about 6 hours north of the Washington Canada border. Cougar creek ranch.

 

[Snowballs]

Another Canuck response:

I have seen moose moose taken with .303 Lee Enfields, .270, .308 and 30.06.

My old neighbour used to get one every season with his old .300 Savage.

Like Mavrykk said, if you're guided you be 'up close.' We don't call moose 'swamp donkeys' because they are brilliant animals.

Don't need fire superiority just shot placement.

Enjoy your hunt

 

[kthomas]

Whatever .30 cal barrel you already have for your DTA.

If you have all of the above already, then whatever you are most comfortable with. All will easily kill a moose.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Another Canuck response:

I have seen moose moose taken with .303 Lee Enfields, .270, .308 and 30.06.

My old neighbour used to get one every season with his old .300 Savage.

Like Mavrykk said, if you're guided you be 'up close.' We don't call moose 'swamp donkeys' because they are brilliant animals.

Don't need fire superiority just shot placement.

Enjoy your hunt

This is SO true. My grandfather shot moose up there (Northern B.C.) for well over 50 years, using nothing more than a .22 Hornet.

In distances measuring in 'feet' whilst said moose were standing there beside the salt-block in the corral. Time and time again, year after year, over the decades....

Shot placement IS it.

 

[Baron23]

We don't call moose 'swamp donkeys' because they are brilliant animals.

That's an understatement, yeah? LOL I remember the article when this came out some years ago....moose attacked car, forces its way in, and killed itself in the process. At least I think this is the pic of that.

or maybe it was this one?

But this is my fav...Unidentifed Flying Moose

 

[powdahound76]

Moose are bad if pissed. But easy to shoot so they say.

338 win mag...no way
I think it’s hurts the shooter more than the animal

My buddy carries one on his property in AK. Apparently the bears are used to hunters and come in. So he went to that from a 30'06 he carried for years. For many years, there weren't as many folks, so it wasn't an issue apparently.
He also carries a 475 Linebaugh in a chest rig he made himself.

I didn't love shooting his 338 win mag for dang sure. That 475 was a straight up hoot though.

 

[RTH1800]

Moose have an excellent sense of hearing and smell. Bulls can be foolish during the rut. A few years ago the World’s Record was killed in the Yukon with a .303 British. It was exceeded by an Alaska specimen shortly thereafter. IIRC the Alaska moose was shot with a smaller rifle as well. Both resident meat hunters.

 

[powdahound76]

And that AK moose is a full mount and available to see at Ted Stevens International in Anchorage.

Enormous!!

 

[RTH1800]

Actually I think both of the moose I mentioned are larger that that one. Both killed in last 10 years.

 

[powdahound76]

Oh dang.
Well, they best change the WR sign at Ted Stevens!
I obviously dont keep up the best on WR size racks.
Im more of A-C then its too much!


They been dropping moose with the 6.5x55 for a couple weeks over in Sweden too....

 

[RTH1800]

One of my favorite quotes about moose rifle calibers.

"A lot of uninformed Swedish moose hunters shoot moose with the 6.5x55. The moose, being equally uninformed, promptly die."

 

[Snowballs]

Moose are tall, dark and really hard to see at night especially if they are standing broadside on the highway.

When a smaller vehicle (like a sedan) hits one, they often topple over and end up in the front seat and toast the occupants.

That's a great reason to be switched on when driving at night in moose country.

 

[RTH1800]

Absolutely correct! Giraffe’s are even worse.

 

[Snowballs]

No kidding. Pretty difficult to drive your Toyota bakkie between their legs when they wander out onto the tar.

 

[robozebra]

I shot my BC moose with 375 WSM. He died rather swiftly. Unfortunately he was standing in about 3 feet of water and fell off into the deeper water when we died. Had to drag his big butt up onto the beach to dress him. Ruined any chance at pictures, but left us with one great story.

CWJ