Bullet Type for Moose

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

Hello,

Do you have any recommendation for off-the-shelf bullet types one can recommend for moose? I have a 30-06 (sorry, not buying a new rifle, so this is fixed), and I assume the heavier the better? Any off-the-shelf ammo/bullet types (or ammo manufacturer/model) beneficial in terms of "stopping power" for such a big animal? I don't reload, so relying on factory ammo

[WWBC]

Your probably just fine with any 180 grain premium/bonded bullet.
Try a box of Nosler partitions to see if they shoot well in your rifle or maybe barns vortex ammo with TTSX.

30-06 is plenty of gun.

[Keta1969]

My personal preference is 180 grain or more for moose or elk. I use Partitions.

[835]

150Gr TTSX.....

[albravo2]

Our moose last year fell to a 142 grain bullet from a 6.5 PRC. You have plenty of gun and 180 grains is more than enough bullet.

I like Accubonds, but I don't think the moose can tell the difference.

[Fella]

150Gr TTSX.....
Second the 150 gr ttsx. That’s what I used when I owned a .30-06, last animal I shot with one was a bull elk. Obliterated the lungs. I was able to recover the bullet and it weighed in at 150gr.

[Pioneerman]

I use the 165 GMX in my 300 wm for everything. You can get that loaded in Superformance ammo along with 150 for your rifle

[huntingfamily]

I've had great results on moose with 180 grain accubonds and partitions. TTSX would be another good choice with 150 or 165 grain bullets.

[Mosin]

Dropped mine with a 180 grain sst. Just didn't shoot the shoulder, bullet turned one lung I to soup, missed the heart and 2nd lung was shredded but not turned into soup like first one, no exit. My buddy used accubonds on his moose at 30 yards, bullet went in and out without expanding and moose got away...so take advice with a grain of salt. Factory ammo? Go with Remington core like 180 grain

[huntingfamily]

Dropped mine with a 180 grain sst. Just didn't shoot the shoulder, bullet turned one lung I to soup, missed the heart and 2nd lung was shredded but not turned into soup like first one, no exit. My buddy used accubonds on his moose at 30 yards, bullet went in and out without expanding and moose got away...so take advice with a grain of salt. Factory ammo? Go with Remington core like 180 grain

How does your buddy know that the bullet didn't expand if the moose got away?
A moose can run a long ways if any bullet isn't put in the vitals...

[Night Hawk 3]

Moose are not especially hard to kill. Any decent bullet will do, but the best performing ones are going to Nosler partitions, Barnes TTSX/TSX, and similar non-lead bullets.

I’ve shot my first moose with a 6.5x55 with a factory Federal (anemic) round with a basic Soft Point bullet. It fell over and never got up... The one I shot with a 7-08 and a factory Federal Premium Barnes TSX was just as dead as the first.

Your 30-06 is a fantastic cartridge...

NH3

[Ride Red]

165 or 180 grain in a 30/06 will do all you need. Many quality off the shelf bullets out there; shot placement is your key. Be confident with your gun by spending time behind it.

[tyreguy]

Take this advice and you'll be fine. I'm a Nosler fan, but either way do a premium bullet and make the first shot count.
165 or 180 grain in a 30/06 will do all you need. Many quality off the shelf bullets out there; shot placement is your key. Be confident with your gun by spending time behind it.

[Mosin]

How does your buddy know that the bullet didn't expand if the moose got away?
A moose can run a long ways if any bullet isn't put in the vitals...

That's a good point, he passed away so I can't ask him. But nevertheless that's a good point you brought up.

[Vini]

30-06 is more than enough gun within a reasonable distance. I have taken a moose with a 180 GR BTSP. Anything in this size would be good. Remember that TSX and TTSX can be lower grain but perform as a large bullet. I would use a premium bullet but try many different options. Don't just try one type of ammo. Some guns just don't like certain ammo. I have a buddy that tried highly recommended ammo and the gun would not shot anyway near consistent. He went back to his old factory ammo and it was back to very accurate. And as others have said, get out and shoot, shoot, shoot. Know how your gun will perform.

[Fella]

I also shot a moose a few years back with a 165 gr Sierra game king. The moose was at 10 yards. Left a big leaky hole and the moose ran 10 yards and died.

[BigSlapper]

30-06 w/ 165 gr premium bullet .... go kill your moose.

[303savage]

Shot placement is more important than the bullet type.

[Mosin]

Shot placement is more important than the bullet type.

That's right...I found I was putting too much focus on bullet caliber and weight etc. But I wasn't thinking about staying calm when finding an animal, I'd be super accurate at the range but when I saw an animal I would have a major case of the jitters and that awesome feeling in my chest...but it compromised my shot. I focus less on caliber and bullets now and visualize more for staying calm, shooting my rifle with the same thick jacket I'll be wearing while hunting. I've a few guys now who shine at the range but things change when there's a live animal infront of you.

[chris]

I used 165 Sierra game king out of my 30-06 last time. Roughly 300 yards broadside. Took out both lungs and exited. Moose died. Their lungs are the size of beach balls, just put a hole in it and they wont go far. This year will be nosler partition in 165 grain. Good luck on your hunt

[835]

I use Accubonds....
I shot a moose at 100yards with a 338cal 250Grainer flying at 3055fps...... it went through 3/4 of the bull.....smashing the front shoulder at exit and carried on I'm pretty sure it expanded..... the hole on the other side was a lil larger than .338

[wideopenthrottle]

30-06 is more than enough gun within a reasonable distance. I have taken a moose with a 180 GR BTSP. Anything in this size would be good. Remember that TSX and TTSX can be lower grain but perform as a large bullet. I would use a premium bullet but try many different options. Don't just try one type of ammo. Some guns just don't like certain ammo. I have a buddy that tried highly recommended ammo and the gun would not shot anyway near consistent. He went back to his old factory ammo and it was back to very accurate. And as others have said, get out and shoot, shoot, shoot. Know how your gun will perform.

my 30-06 win m70 seems to spray nosler partitions all over the target but groups great with those cheap remmie core-locs????

[bchunter181]

its all about shot placement i shot my moose last year with my 270 130gr nosler trophy grade accubond and it didnt go 150 yards! it wasnt exactly a small moose either heres the thread to it.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?154707-My-2019-longtime-dream-moose-hunt!

[Vini]

I used 165 Sierra game king out of my 30-06 last time. Roughly 300 yards broadside. Took out both lungs and exited. Moose died. Their lungs are the size of beach balls, just put a hole in it and they wont go far. This year will be nosler partition in 165 grain. Good luck on your hunt

There ya go. Go to the dollar store and buy yourself some beach balls. Head out into the forest and have atter. :razz: Just be safe and remember to take out the holey balls out with you. IMHO, all the advise here has been great. You can't go wrong what is being said.

Side note: The posters on this site are so refreshing. Try asking this question on one of those FB forum and see the crap that get spewed out. To all members.... keep up the great work

[IronNoggin]

180 Nosler Partitions.
Federal Premium offers this in 30-06, and it is an excellent performer.

Cheers,
nog

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

On my way to pick up a box! Thx


180 Nosler Partitions.
Federal Premium offers this in 30-06, and it is an excellent performer.

Cheers,
nog

[quadrakid]

If price matters i shot Remington Core Lokts for years,my rifle liked them ,moose not so much.

[bighornbob]

Shot mine with a 7-08 with a 120gr TTSX, deader then dead. Moose are wimpy creatures, they usually bed quite quickly after being hit. Unlike elk which will want to put a mountain between you and them if they are wounded.

BHB

[Harvest the Land]

I would buy a box of the 150Gr, 168Gr, and 180Gr Barnes TTSX and see which one your gun likes best. All of them will drop a bull with one shot if correctly placed. Awesome ammo

[Mosin]

my 30-06 win m70 seems to spray nosler partitions all over the target but groups great with those cheap remmie core-locs????

I have yet to have someone state their gun doesn't like either Remy corlokts or federal blue box as far as group size goes. One day I might even pick up some Remington corlokt projectiles. A sponsor on cgn has em

[moosinaround]

I've killed moose with 180gr sp federal, 168gr TTsx, 190 hornady BTSP, 150gr TSX, None killed the moose any better than others!! Any 180gr bullet shot out of an '06, from a reasonable distance, into vital will kill a moose, elk, deer, bear!!! I'd look for a bullet that shoots well from your '06, over a fancy premium bullet. Saying this, I do like monolithics, and bonded bullets, the technology is there, why not use it? Moosin

[MAMMOET]

What are peoples thoughts on 6.5x55 with 140 gr accubond for moose??
I sold my 30-06 and wish I didn't!!
I can borrow one but I like me 6.5 tikka swede!!
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks everyone.

[Fella]

What are peoples thoughts on 6.5x55 with 140 gr accubond for moose??
I sold my 30-06 and wish I didn't!!
I can borrow one but I like me 6.5 tikka swede!!
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks everyone.

i have no real world experience with that caliber but I understand it is very popular in the Scandinavian countries for moose hunting

[VLD43]

Most any of the brands probably work. That being said and if your shooting factory, find what shoots well in your rifle. I would look at Federal Blue box or Remington core locks if you are on a budget. My preference would be barnes TTSX or TSX. I have shot moose with everything from Sierra game kings to Barnes. All in the 150-165 Gr class. All died with the first shot.

[Mosin]

i have no real world experience with that caliber but I understand it is very popular in the Scandinavian countries for moose hunting

I have read the same, apparently the long bullets and small diameter of them give them good penetration. Have a look on Google images, makes sense to me

[moosinaround]

What are peoples thoughts on 6.5x55 with 140 gr accubond for moose??
I sold my 30-06 and wish I didn't!!
I can borrow one but I like me 6.5 tikka swede!!
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks everyone.
Will kill moose pretty dead! Just as dead as an '06! 140 accubond is a gooder too! Moosin

[two-feet]

My biggest moose was a one shot drop with budget ammo out of a relatively light caliber (.300 sav) so it is certainly about placement first and foremost.

[r106]

Any 150gr and up premium bullet is more than enough for moose. Don't over think it. Just find what groups good

[todbartell]

Federal Premium 165 or 180gr Nosler Accubond or Partition ammo, Barnes VorTx 150 or 168gr TTSX ammo, all great moose ammo in 30-06

[338edgehunter]

You'll be good with anything a 150 grains plus whether it be a 180 grain nosler accu bonds or a 168 grain Barnes to tip triple shock you'll have to try various ammo to see what your gun will like but the 30-06 will get her done

[rocksteady]

What are peoples thoughts on 6.5x55 with 140 gr accubond for moose??
I sold my 30-06 and wish I didn't!!
I can borrow one but I like me 6.5 tikka swede!!
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks everyone.

It will kill them no problem. I have taken several elk and a moose with my 6.5.. I like the light recoil as it allows for better accuracy on the shooters part..

[hawk-i]

I've killed a lot of moose over the years, a regular old cup and core bullet to the lungs will put a moose down on average quicker than a mono with the same shot placement...:)

[Ltbullken]

Any 150/165 gr premium, controlled expansion is fine but spendy. If you want to keep cost down, I'd suggest a 180gr conventional soft point, cup and core bullet.

[todbartell]

Any 150/165 gr premium, controlled expansion is fine but spendy. If you want to keep cost down, I'd suggest a 180gr conventional soft point, cup and core bullet.

hunting has higher costs than a box of good ammo

[bcsteve]

hunting has higher costs than a box of good ammo
Easy to say when you get them at cost! ;)

[NMO]

Easy to say when you get them at cost! ;)

Joking aside, he does raise a valid point. With all the unnecessary expensive things we carry into the field, premium ammo shouldn't be what you are looking to penny pinch on.

[srupp]

Hmm mm

30-06 great choice..you own it..probably used to it..good
Clayton Mack..beware of the individual that just owns one rifle. .he probably knows how to use it..
Any premium bullet that your rifle shoots the best Nosler..or tsx by Barnes..ELD"
I only use tsx..but wouldn't hesitate for Nosler partition..nor ELD "
I have used .270..with 130.150 great
7mm
30-06
300 win mag
350
and now .338 with .225 grain TSX

All dropped moose
No head shots, no neck shots, no shoulder shots..wastes meat..in luno behind shoulder 1 /2 way up.
It takes a wee bit for a moose to fill up lungs with blood and end oxygen getting to the brain..resulting in death or him voting liberal.
You will do well..the trick is finding them..harvesting is relatively easy..moose hurt a lot..
Srupp

[ElliotMoose]

"Resulting in death or him voting liberal" - I needed this laugh today. Thanks Srupp



Hmm mm

30-06 great choice..you own it..probably used to it..good
Clayton Mack..beware of the individual that just owns one rifle. .he probably knows how to use it..
Any premium bullet that your rifle shoots the best Nosler..or tsx by Barnes..ELD"
I only use tsx..but wouldn't hesitate for Nosler partition..nor ELD "
I have used .270..with 130.150 great
7mm
30-06
300 win mag
350
and now .338 with .225 grain TSX

All dropped moose
No head shots, no neck shots, no shoulder shots..wastes meat..in luno behind shoulder 1 /2 way up.
It takes a wee bit for a moose to fill up lungs with blood and end oxygen getting to the brain..resulting in death or him voting liberal.
You will do well..the trick is finding them..harvesting is relatively easy..moose hurt a lot..
Srupp

[Noreasny]

I use Horned precision hunter 178 grain ammo for my 30 06 but it also depends on what your rifle likes

[bruce44]

Hello,

Do you have any recommendation for off-the-shelf bullet types one can recommend for moose? I have a 30-06 (sorry, not buying a new rifle, so this is fixed), and I assume the heavier the better? Any off-the-shelf ammo/bullet types (or ammo manufacturer/model) beneficial in terms of "stopping power" for such a big animal? I don't reload, so relying on factory ammo
Shoot one that has the tightest group for your gun at the maximum distance you're willing to shoot. Not all 30-06 are created the same. My remington 783 shoots 165 grain core lokt the tightest at 200 yards.

[paraschost]

My vote for 168gr Barnes... Works great in mine

[Sharpish]

My vote for 168gr Barnes... Works great in mine

I killed 3 moose with a .308 with barnes vortex 168 gr TTSX. Super accurate and I recovered a couple perfectly expanded bullets.

[Rotorwash]

I'm going to use the .35 cal 250 speer hot cores this year. It should work decent at 2900fps

[Karma]

Shot placement is obviously key. Stick with what you know and shoot well (like your 30-06). I took my moose with my .270 with 150Gr Federal Fusion at 175 yards. Blew apart the front shoulder, through both lungs, and lodged in the hide on the far side. He went 50 feet and went down.

[Ltbullken]

hunting has higher costs than a box of good ammo

Agreed. Just posing an option.

[250 sav]

4 moose with 30 06, three with 165 hornady interlock and one with 178 hornady eldx. The 165 left a exit wound the 178 stopped on the hide on the exit side and came apart. All 4 bulls were down within 40 yards.

[vladthepes]

Nosler partition in an appropriated weight! I used them successfully on moose!

[whitespringer]

What are peoples thoughts on 6.5x55 with 140 gr accubond for moose??
I sold my 30-06 and wish I didn't!!
I can borrow one but I like me 6.5 tikka swede!!
Any feedback would be great.
Thanks everyone.


More moose in Europe have met their demise with that combo than any other. Go for it

[Downtown]

In the dirtyodd6 a 180 nothing fancy Bullet will do just fine if placed right where it counts. Be sure to sight the Gun in well before hunting season and practice practice practice so you are confident to be able to shoot a group of 5 shots consistently into a 2.5" circle at 100 yards.

Cheers

[Daryl]

When I got my moose draw, I was torn about whether the 150 grains from my 7mm-08 would be sufficient, or if I'd have to upgrade.
I'm under the impression that for the most part, shot placement is going to be the most important factor, within your effective range.

Going with the gear I've got, and I'm gonna spend plenty time at the range, and I'll let you know how it works out ;)

cheers,
Daryl

[Rotorwash]

hunting has higher costs than a box of good ammo
LOL I agree mostly.. till I paid $220 a box for factory 358 norma oryx. didn't even expand. I expect the 250 hot cores to perform better. I may use a lightweight 300 rum instead though this year. I've had good success with 190 ablr at 3100. they seem to expand well.

Its also a great coyote gun... the 110 vmax in the rum puts a run on the 2506 for yotes

[barry1974w]

I’ve killed a bunch of moose with 165 grain game kings and a couple with 165 interbonds, the first one ever was with a 180 grain, but I can’t remember for the life of me what kind of bullet it was. Those are ones I’ve shot with an 06. Use what shoots well, a premium bullet won’t hurt, but anything half decent should work(that being said I’ve never shot a moose at really close range).

[lightmag]

Hello,

Do you have any recommendation for off-the-shelf bullet types one can recommend for moose? I have a 30-06 (sorry, not buying a new rifle, so this is fixed), and I assume the heavier the better? Any off-the-shelf ammo/bullet types (or ammo manufacturer/model) beneficial in terms of "stopping power" for such a big animal? I don't reload, so relying on factory ammo


30-06 has best ballistics with a 165gr!! shoot a 165 TTSX and enjoy tight groups, 99% bullet retention and great ballistics

[barongan]

30-06 w/ 165 gr premium bullet https://alreskha.xyz/assets/18/o.png

[gcreek]

Killed a few with a 22.250 when it was my only gun. As said earlier, a lung shot moose doesn’t go far.

Andy Cahoose was one of the old time Natives here when I came to the country. He used a .22 Hornet. A friend of his asked how many shots with that to kill a moose. Andy’s reply was, “ One shot, one cigarette”.

[RyoTHC]

I’m running 165 grain federal trophy bonded tip out of my .308 this year for my first moose hunt. Should hold up and do what I need it to !

[wideopenthrottle]

Shoot one that has the tightest group for your gun at the maximum distance you're willing to shoot. Not all 30-06 are created the same. My remington 783 shoots 165 grain core lokt the tightest at 200 yards.

I picked one up as a backup to my win m70 (also 30-06)...I only shot it a couple of times without a good rest and I was on center target so not too bothered about trying to dial it right in.

For the last hunting trip of the year last year, I had to use it due to losing an action screw out of my Win M70 ...Before heading out, we stopped at a shooting range and I shot 3 times using what I thought were 165gr nozler partitions but were actually 165 Winchester ballistic tips in the wrong box I think! (silver coloured cases with black bullets) shooting 110 yds I put the first 2 bullets in the same hole...that 783 is a shooter!

[BRrooster]

You dont need a "Magnum Boom Flopper " with depleted Uranium bullets . A 165g bullet will give you a bit of a flatter trajectory in your 30-06 and will get the job done. The key is practice, practice and then more practice. Know your limitations . Practice in real situations . Its all good and fine to know what to expect from your rifle at the range and from the bench, but shoot ; standing, sitting and prone to know what you can do. Heck , just for giggles, try running in place for a bit and take a whack at a target at 50 yards standing.
Seems like Remington Core Locks are a big favorite on the forum , start with them and see what happens.
Good luck on your hunt , and above all have fun.
B.

[Rotorwash]

My father in law swears by 117gr hornady in his 25-06. Says he hasnt had a moose take a second step. I know its magic on deer and black bear. Also the barnes 80 ttsx at 3800 dumps things in their tracks.

[browner56]

aswqawsa`ws

[Sportster]

Pretty Much agree with all the post relating to the 06, I dropped a nice bull last year using HORNADY SST 165GR @286yds. Like others have said ,you have to find what bullet your rifle likes and then practice (a lot!). Shot placement is everything know matter what caliber and bullet you use . Have fun and good luck.

[Greenthumbed]

I got a moose draw this year. I’ll be using a .270 win with 140gr. Barnes TSX