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Hunting & Fishing 7mm Mag for moose?

briang7511

briang7511

steel smasher
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 10, 2013
697
120
Michigan
My neighbor and I had a discussion over whats best for Moose. He has a 7 mag and he is considering a moose hunt. I offered my 300 win mag to him but he says its too heavy. Obviously some quality bullets like barnes ttsx or mrx will be used. Any thoughts comments. Anyone use a 7 mag on a moose?
 
I used to live in Alaska. Thumped a decent size moose and several bears with my 7mm rem mag. While I have owned .375 H&H, .338 & .300's the seven was easier to shoot.
 
7mm work wonders on large elk with proper shot placement and bullet weight/construction. I would not hesitate to shoot 7mm at a moose at reasonable ranges.
 
Shot one last year with a 7WSM and a Barnes bullet and he dropped in his tracks. The guide was telling me they kill lots with 30-30's and 270's so I wouldn't worry about a 7 mag at all. It's all shot placement anyway and dropping a moose in his tracks (or just killing him period) has way more to do with shot placement than your caliber. The one I shot this year took 5 behind the shoulder from a 300 WSM and strolled off into the tree line 50 yards and expired. I could hear the thumps, but he never reacted much so I kept giving them to him.
 
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One of my buddies killed a Boone and Crocket moose a few years ago up in Alaska at 500 yds with his 7mm mag. Not sure on any of his load specs.
 
coldboremiracle said:
I hadnt even fininshed reading the title of the thread before I muttered to myself: Yes, of course.

Is tea served in Brittain? What kind of questions are these?
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I appreciate any input. Sometimes people tend to second guess themselves when you are spending a lot of money for a moose hunt. Never hurts to ask anyone for assistance. Moose are some big bastards. We have a few elk here in Michigan but where they range maybe from 3 to 500lbs, moose in northern Canada or Alaska can get to 1500lbs??
 
Normally, I work on deer with my everyday match load. It tends to go exactly where I want it and I have a lot of confidence in it.

Since that's not the case here, then you might look at a good bonded bullet or solid construction for heavy bone impact if you happen to screw the shot up. The new Nosler LR Accubonds are SEXY looking. I have a box of the 175's waiting for a new barrel on my 7/300WSM whenever I get around to it. A friend is shooting the 210 30c LRAB in his 300WM and they're plenty repeatable for hunting at distance.
 
bohem said:
Normally, I work on deer with my everyday match load. It tends to go exactly where I want it and I have a lot of confidence in it.

Since that's not the case here, then you might look at a good bonded bullet or solid construction for heavy bone impact if you happen to screw the shot up. The new Nosler LR Accubonds are SEXY looking. I have a box of the 175's waiting for a new barrel on my 7/300WSM whenever I get around to it. A friend is shooting the 210 30c LRAB in his 300WM and they're plenty repeatable for hunting at distance.
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Last time I was shooting my 300 wm at a 1000yds (normally I use 208bthp or 230 bergers) I had loaded some 200gr sierra boat tail soft points for hunting. The shooter software told me to come up another 2 moa. First shot I hit the 1000yd gong with those soft points. Sent 3 more down and they didn't group as nice as the target rounds but sure was nice to hit the steel with them. If I weight sorted them probably would have made a difference but those are cheap compared to barnes or noslers.
 
I've killed moose with a 7MM. Its plenty heavy enough, more then enough. I normally use a 270 for elk. Elk are tougher then moose, I wouldn't hesitate to hunt moose with a 270.

To make a 300 manageable it has to be heavy, which means I don't want to pack it.

My 7mm RM was heavy enough, but I was younger then and didn't understand "lite" like I do now. I wouldn't use it if I had to hump very far.

Just think of the thousands of moose that were killed with the 30-30, 303, and '06. And of course the 270 Win.
 
briang7511 said:
Last time I was shooting my 300 wm at a 1000yds (normally I use 208bthp or 230 bergers) I had loaded some 200gr sierra boat tail soft points for hunting. The shooter software told me to come up another 2 moa. First shot I hit the 1000yd gong with those soft points. Sent 3 more down and they didn't group as nice as the target rounds but sure was nice to hit the steel with them. If I weight sorted them probably would have made a difference but those are cheap compared to barnes or noslers.
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Gamekings are very consistent and well made.
 
The Subsistance hunters here commonly use 223 because cheapest ammo found.
 
Used both 7mag and 300mag, in my experience the 7 flew better and drove deeper, my preference would be 7mag with 175gr partitions, between these two. Moose are not overly tuff to tip over I suppose but they are massive and heavy, and have gone down with 243 every year, 7.08 does a good job too that I can test to as does my cousins 22.250 and friends 220swift because I have seen it tipped over and eaten the meat and every year 223.

More important than head stamp is a rifle than can be carried all day and then shot accurately.

Rod collected data over all his years reporting the most used caliber in Alaska for moose is 30.06 with around 35-37% of moose hunters. I do believe the % is shrinking some as more outsiders bring their super whizz bangs to Alaska.

I believe most hunters are way over gunned. I will admit my fav is 340wby with 250gr partition at 2980 but mostly for big ole booboo too; one rifle one load for everything.
 
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xCavalryx said:
How about .308 for moose? Any thoughts on that caliber?
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I've killed several Moose with a Kimber Montana in 308. It's also killed Black Bears, Elk, and a pile of Whitetails. The rifle loves 165 Accubonds and they have performed flawlessly on everything I've ever shot at.
 
xCavalryx said:
How about .308 for moose? Any thoughts on that caliber?
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A 180gr partition from a 308win will do its job if you do yours and does every year. Many will consider it lacking in horsepower but most of them have never tipped over a moose with a good bullet in the kill box or even hunted moose. I know those who swear by 416s moose are massive and can absorb a tremendous amount of energy but a well placed good constructed bullet in the kill box will tip one over. I have never seen a moose shot more dead.

I have been to F&G sighting in day and watched a 250 pound bearded wanna be sourdough with his 416 trigger a shot gun pattern and next to him was a 120 pound female with her 7.08 cutting center, who is more apt to tip over a 1400 pound moose, a miss is a miss, horsepower cannot make up for a miss but so many think it can.

If you have 308 and can cut center with it, use a good bullet and run to the hills for moose roast.
 
rope said:
The Subsistance hunters here commonly use 223 because cheapest ammo found.
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Yes and no, Tier I or tier II, The tier I's I know use mostly 243s usually in the cheapest rifle. Younger generations have switched to AR in 223.

Family is tier II and we use everything from 22.250 to 338s. My cousin has tipped over more moose and caribou with his 22,250 than everybody on here as seen for 60+ years but the Alaskans.

I have not done much hunting since the Katy John case with Knowles tat ruined hunting in Alaska forever.
 
briang7511 said:
My neighbor and I had a discussion over whats best for Moose. He has a 7 mag and he is considering a moose hunt. I offered my 300 win mag to him but he says its too heavy. Obviously some quality bullets like barnes ttsx or mrx will be used. Any thoughts comments. Anyone use a 7 mag on a moose?
Click to expand...

I just reread this and of course your neighbor is correct that your 300win is too heavy if it is in fact is the heavier of the two. Light is right, lighter is righter and lightest is rightest.

Again, head stamp means little, toting a rifle with ease is the most important that will allow the hunter to place the bullet in the kill box. Toting a 10 pound rifle with kit meaning your head is pounding, heart about to blow out from the chest, body is shaking, Give me the lightest smallest profile rifle I can find and tote allowing me the best chance to place the bullet.
 
xCavalryx said:
How about .308 for moose? Any thoughts on that caliber?
Click to expand...

My freezer has a moose killed with 308 in it right now. The moose stood there, munching on birch twigs for twenty minutes while my buddy LOUDLY debated less than fifty yards away whether to shoot it or not because he forgot to bring the 4-wheeler.

Spikes and Forks are morons.
 
45.308 said:
Yes and no, Tier I or tier II, The tier I's I know use mostly 243s usually in the cheapest rifle. Younger generations have switched to AR in 223.

Family is tier II and we use everything from 22.250 to 338s. My cousin has tipped over more moose and caribou with his 22,250 than everybody on here as seen for 60+ years but the Alaskans.

I have not done much hunting since the Katy John case with Knowles tat ruined hunting in Alaska forever.
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Hey sir, what's the deal with the Katy John Case? I've read the legal briefs, and some of the stuff that NARF put out, but what's it mean to the average joe?
 
Anvil_X said:
Hey sir, what's the deal with the Katy John Case? I've read the legal briefs, and some of the stuff that NARF put out, but what's it mean to the average joe?
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Took fishing and hunting from all citizens of Alaska and gave power and control to the Feds. Or... gave more fishing and hunting use and rights to a certain people and took fishing and hunting rights away from other people. Alaska will never be the same.
 
as if things weren't confusing enough. Thanks for the info

That reminds me of all those California tourists that came to my Ranger station, and cheered when they heard that half of AK was owned by the feds. They also got super pissed when I told them about DNR's land auction.

the weirdest one was this turbohippie from san fransisco that told me America should evacuate all the people from AK and remove all signs of human habitation, because the animals deserve a wilderness.
When I asked her for clarification, she said that even the natives needed to leave, 'because humans don't belong in Alaska'.
 
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Shot placement is the name of the game. You could kill anything with any caliber if the shot is in the right place. For example, I know a guy who killed a rhino with a 220 swift
 
My crew and I have shot moose with:

.260Rem
6.5x55's
7mm Rem Mag
.308 Win's
.300 Win Mag
.325WSM

They all worked well. The only thing would be to be careful with trying to break shoulders unless you have a well constructed bullet and that goes for any of them.
 
Anvil_X said:
as if things weren't confusing enough. Thanks for the info

That reminds me of all those California tourists that came to my Ranger station, and cheered when they heard that half of AK was owned by the feds. They also got super pissed when I told them about DNR's land auction.

the weirdest one was this turbohippie from san fransisco that told me America should evacuate all the people from AK and remove all signs of human habitation, because the animals deserve a wilderness.
When I asked her for clarification, she said that even the natives needed to leave, 'because humans don't belong in Alaska'.
Click to expand...

It wasn't always confusing but with the lack of control or regs the 50s was ok due to lack of people but the 60s, hunting was killing and lead to low game populations. So, F&G got serious in the 70s with good management and built up the population and access to harvest for all. The 80s was likely the best hunting and fishing for everyone in Alaska with strong populations and good access yet kept the killing down. But, certain people did not like the fact that the state made regs to limit fishing and hunting with new regs in the 70s so they sued for their access. Most see the regs in the 70s perfect for all Alaskans rights. Knowles was all over this (worse person for Alaska ever. can you remember when he made a law no firearms in Anchorage) they won giving control to the feds and Knowles broke up the game board by placing anti hunters with as much control as hunters, so it was fare to all. He believed animal rights was just as much important as hunters for the wild life resources.

Now you see the product, hunting and fishing is a joke, limited access for most, permit hunting, too many guides and way too many from outside, what can be said other than Alaska is ruined for ever. If you read the state constitution, the law suit goes directly against our constitution but it happened. So, I let those around me fight the regs and hoards, bring me meat. Last year I hunted was 2001 in an area we always got meat. Saw one bou.

Land auction, another good program gone bad.
 
wow. That's why.

I've been wondering who it was that screwed anchortown. there's a good spot for upland birds a few miles from my apartment, and it's just a tad bit aggravating that I have to drive over an hour to get some birds.

And as far as access, my buddy Mac was right, Alaska's a paradise for old rich guys.
 
We use to hunt near the house on Glen, half way between Palmer and Butte, its now called old Glen Hwy but there are houses there now. Fished Jim creek before there was a road. We hunted on Lazy Mtn with good success, now its full of tree huggers. Had a family moose camp off the Knik and one out near Caribou. Hunted Swanson too, big bulls and lots a meat in there tuff hunting but now its all posted due to gas rigs. Fishing was premo in there.

We put in a camp up north off Denail near the flats MP27 but of course it was ruined too.

For economic reasons, guiding outsiders is where the board wants to go using guides from outside. Alaskans are being pushed out for access. I know guides who get truly pissed off to almost body harm when they see a hunter in their area, I have friends who called F&G in the backcountry to come and see who is hunting their area, why and to get them out for there!

Cheaper to hunt Africa than Alaska. $30k for a 10 day brownie hunt! I charged $150 a day!!

Anchortown was really screwed up for those years and has never recovered and has gone further down.

Alaska will never recover and be Alaska again, its part of the south 48 now. And yes, I am one who believes Alaska is not a state, placed into the union illegally.
 
I concur with 45.308, Alaska isn't what it use to be. In 60-61 my father was stationed at Eielson AFB, we lived a mile down Badger road, (called 6 mile road then) and hunted moose in the front yard.

I returned in '72 and lived in Lignite (3 miles north of Healy) moose hunting consisted of setting in the yard, spotting critters across the Nenana River, then rowing over to get them. I think I got the tail end of Alaska as we like to think of it.

Anchorage is close to some great water foul hunting at the Palmer Hay flats. Then there is combat fishing on the Kenai Penn. After moving to Anchorage my hunting activities consisted of hunting with the Natives on the Seward Penn (Nome Area), it was still good up there then, I don't know about now.

Hunting is a rich man's sport in Alaska, it was that way when I left in '94 and I've heard its worse now. It didn't take me long to realize that everything I went to Alaska for was better in Wyoming. At least in Wyoming I can breath without inhaling knats with every breath. Elk is better tasting then moose anyway.
 
The flats are OK but the hunter pressure has become extreme and F&G camp out harassing hunters. Every time you pull up, one of them comes over, grabs your shotgun to check magazine capacity. Yea I know but a friend got ticketed before he loaded his shotgun, plug was in his hand as he went to put in his shotgun but F&G grabbed it even though he never loaded it or left the truck. No common sense any more its about money. This state is stupid hungry for money now instead of being Alaska.

20 mile in the best hunting as is Placer, Its pretty tuff hunting, I know those who lost moose up placer to the keg. 20 mile bites hunters every year, There are cub strips up there but pilot beware. You can hike in from Girdweed if you have the desire and know the route.

Combat fishing, its all tourist now breaking rules that I would have got ticketed for plus the guides ruining the river with all them blasting up and down the river. WE use to drift boat and now you cannot due to every second a guide comes by blowing a wake. There are places you actually have a hard time wetting a line.

You left about the time the down fall was starting to roll. Its stupid now.
 
Craig and 45, you just described most of the popular hunting and fishing places across the nation. Its about money anymore. Fish and game are nazi dicks everywhere. The worst part is when your fellow sportsmen are out there messing it up.
 
Not totally sure I can agree with that assessment.

I've had several contacts with game wardens in Wyoming. Mostly at check stations. They were polite and curious. I've had a couple incidents besides that. Last fall, I had one stop and help me load an elk into my truck in the Big Horns. Another occasion I was fishing with the wife. We had flotation devices but they were cushions' not the Personal Devices required by law. He could have cited us, or sent us to town for some proper devices, but instead he loaned us his.

I'm not saying their aren't bad wardens out there, like any other occupations there are, but there are plenty of fair, honest wardens also.
 
Kraig I have to agree with you that not all are bad. I have met a few out here in Wyo/Mont That were pretty decent people. Pretty much the opposite of the ones I dealt with in Michigan. Never met one there that wasn't sure I was guilty of something and determined to prove it.
 
kraigWY said:
Not totally sure I can agree with that assessment.

I've had several contacts with game wardens in Wyoming. Mostly at check stations. They were polite and curious. I've had a couple incidents besides that. Last fall, I had one stop and help me load an elk into my truck in the Big Horns. Another occasion I was fishing with the wife. We had flotation devices but they were cushions' not the Personal Devices required by law. He could have cited us, or sent us to town for some proper devices, but instead he loaned us his.

I'm not saying their aren't bad wardens out there, like any other occupations there are, but there are plenty of fair, honest wardens also.
Click to expand...

I was trying to find out a while back what it would take to become a Wildlife trooper up here just so I could be that common sense Trooper that everybody remembers for good reasons. The recruiters told me the skinny--one year as a regular trooper before even being considered for the job, and a few other things that aren't so appetizing to a guy who just spent six years duking it out with the Taliban and just wants to teach kids how to fish and catch poachers.

I dunno, maybe in a few years I'll feel comfortable with being a Peace officer in a village hundreds of miles from the nearest backup, but for now, I'll just finish my Biology degree.

.45, as soon as I saw the plug rule, I decided to go classic. Franchi Instinct L O/U 12 GA. catch me holding more than 2 rounds will they.......




Plus, I got it on consignment over at Boondocks in Eagle River for half the MSRP.
 
Anvil_X said:
I was trying to find out a while back what it would take to become a Wildlife trooper up here just so I could be that common sense Trooper that everybody remembers for good reasons. The recruiters told me the skinny--one year as a regular trooper before even being considered for the job, and a few other things that aren't so appetizing to a guy who just spent six years duking it out with the Taliban and just wants to teach kids how to fish and catch poachers.

I dunno, maybe in a few years I'll feel comfortable with being a Peace officer in a village hundreds of miles from the nearest backup, but for now, I'll just finish my Biology degree.

.45, as soon as I saw the plug rule, I decided to go classic. Franchi Instinct L O/U 12 GA. catch me holding more than 2 rounds will they.......






Plus, I got it on consignment over at Boondocks in Eagle River for half the MSRP.
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Sweet! All the way around! Nice Franchi.
 
kraigWY said:
.......Elk are tougher then moose.......
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I have wondered about that. I killed one of my elk this year with a 280 Remington and a 160gr bullet at a little passed 300 yards. That morning my dad and I had a conversation after walking up on 3 moose in a valley weather or not if I ever draw if my 280 Rem was going to go on the hunt....I might opt for my grandfathers Winchester 88 284win instead and work up a load for 150 or 160gr partitions.
 
I would not hesitate to use a 7 mag or .300 mag on moose. I would even use my .243 as long as I was within 200 yards and felt I could make a good shot. I agree with the above posts about putting the bullet in the vitals. Shot placement is more important than caliber choice. I hate to hear that Alaska has gone downhill. I guess I should not be surprised.
 
We shot two moose this year. 1st was with a 7 mag, 140g Nosler partition, heart lung DRT. 2nd one w/ 30-06 heart lung 3 steps and down. My son has killed bears and Moose and Caribou with that 30-06 since he was 10 years old he is now 23 and prefers that 06- to any of our larger calibers.

Just like real estate and burglary......... Location, location, location!
 
Darkop said:
We shot two moose this year. 1st was with a 7 mag, 140g Nosler partition, heart lung DRT. 2nd one w/ 30-06 heart lung 3 steps and down. My son has killed bears and Moose and Caribou with that 30-06 since he was 10 years old he is now 23 and prefers that 06- to any of our larger calibers.

Just like real estate and burglary......... Location, location, location!
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*gasp* the 30-06? Killing something bigger than a whitetail? NEVER! He must be getting lucky, no way that's responsible hunting....


/sarcasm
 
all this 7mm talk.... pfft, break out the 338 LUPUA!!!!

RUN FROM THAT my Antler'd friends! haha
 
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