Rifle Cartridges for Moose

by Mike
(Wasilla, AK)

After moving to Alaska I discovered this site. I had thought that my 30-06 was on the small size for rifle cartridges for moose. I learned quite quickly that moose are soft sided creatures as long as you don't hit the shoulder of these beasts.

Tikka Hunter Stainless Steel Moose Hunting Rifle

I have read of children taking them with a 243.

The biggest thing is being comfortable and proficient with your rifle. If you put a bullet into the boiler room the animal will go down.

In Alaska most natives use nothing bigger than a 30-06 shooting Remington Core-Lokts (they are easy to find) for all types of animals including brown bears. A well designed bullet placed in the right spot will do the trick on every animal.

So before you go out and buy a magnum rifle cartridge for moose hunting, look in the safe and pull out your deer rifle; choose a well constructed bullet and get proficient with it.

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Good advice Mike! The venerable 30-06 Springfield caliber rifle is more than adequate as a rifle cartridge for moose.

As a matter of fact the 30-06 is: The Most Popular Moose Cartridge used by moose hunters today. More than 25% of almost 900 respondents to our moose hunting rifle survey have chosen the 30-06. Followed by the .308 Winchester caliber (13%) and then the .300 Winchester magnum (9%).

There are of course other calibers that many hunters will argue to be superior for various reasons of their own.

No need to be swayed though. As Mike has pointed out, if you own a 30-06 caliber... use it as your moose hunting rifle. The 30-06 cal. used with a 180 grain bullet will do the job.

It's always a good idea to use premium ammunition for moose hunting.