Author Topic: Moose Hunt with a Handgun (Read 2899 times)

Dogshooter · « **on:** May 18, 2010, 04:54:03 PM »

After MANYyears of unsuccessful attempts, I FINALLY drew a moose tag here in Wyoming. Now I have to decide what to use to take it with. I have a Smith and Wesson Performance Center Model 629 with a 7 1/2" barrel and a 2x Burris Posi-Lok scope mounted on it. I can get 4 inch groups at 100 yards with it and know without a doubt that I can get within 100 yards of a moose here. I have taken elk with it at that range but this will be my first time for moose. I have several rifles in calibers that will take a moose at any reasonable range (out to several hunded yards) but really wanted to hunt with this handgun for what might quite possibly be the only moose I will be able to take in my lifetime. I'd appreciate any suggestions or comments you guys might have about this and welcome all of your advice.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2010, 01:47:53 AM »

Go for it!!! Place your shot exactly as you would on Elk and you will fill your freezer. If you can place your shots accurately within 100m and can get to within 100m of a Moose, you should be golden. Send us pictures.

shot1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2010, 04:26:19 AM »

I would use a good 300 gr bullet like the Hornady XTP or Swift A-Frame. I would also keep shooting as long as I had a target if it is still standing. I would put the first bullet broadside through the lungs but if a second shot presented itself I would put one through the neck otherwise I would keep pouring the lead to the lungs. Good luck.

jedman · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2010, 03:23:07 AM »

Your a lucky man to draw a tag in WY, I have been on several moose hunts in Quebec hunting with a bow and still have not been close enough for a shot.
If you know your hunting area well and like you say can get to 100 yards or less, Go with the handgun if thats your choice.
I limited my two moose trips to bow only season hopeing to hit the rut and get to close shooting distance but it didnt work out that way but, no regrets , they were both great hunts and I have many good memories.
What ever you decide to hunt with it will be the right choice. Jedman

Bossloper · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2010, 02:32:05 AM »

I'm jealous. I'm in Maine, but have yet to draw a moose permit in the lottery. And worse, every year I see several moose within 50 yards while sitting in my tree stand deer hunting. Last year I had a small bull walk within 10 yards, and I was hunting with my model 29-2. It would have done just fine at that distance, and your 629 will probably do better because mine is a 6" barrel without a scope. Last year I saw five moose from the tree strand. I agree that a 300gr bullet is the way to go, but I think that I would go with a hard cast gas-checked WFN or WLN style verses a hollow point. Moose are thick, so penetration is almost as important as shot placement, and a hard cast will do that better than a hollow point. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2010, 04:05:32 AM »

If i pulled a once in a life time moose hunt and was going to use a 44 mag it would be with a 300-330 grain hard cast lfn or swc loaded to about 1200fps. that load is a doable in your smith but its not a load your going to want to run thousands through that gun. If your really conserned about your gun back it off to about 1100 and it will still shoot through a moose.

mk454 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2010, 07:38:26 PM »

if this may be the only moose you ever get a shot on, there's only one way to go out of a .44 mag, i'd use grizzly cartridges lower end (i.e doable in your 629) punch bullet loads. most fail proof round out, plenty of punch like the hardcasts but NO chance of failure. expensive but damn.............this may be your only chance at this animal and it's BIG.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2010, 01:13:06 AM »

I'd use the .44 and would also recommend trying to develop a load with a 300 gr. bullet.

Noreaster · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2010, 05:05:14 AM »

I have never taken a moose, but I would think a federal castcore or something like it would zip right through one. A few guys in my Town have drawn a tag. They look on line or ask someone at the shop and are told a 375 H&H is the smallest caliber to use. Then you hear about a kid taking one with his 30/30 or a 7mm-08. It's mostly close range here in the N/E. Don't know what you'd be looking at for yardage out there. Good luck and let us know how you do!

blhof · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2010, 05:15:54 AM »

Is there a problem with carrying both a pistol and a rifle? I deer hunt with a pistol, but after a week of seeing deer at 200+ yds, I decided to carry both and ended up getting a shot at 40yds and using my pistol on the last day of modern gun season, but I had my rifle with scope for back-up.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2010, 03:11:19 AM »

then your rifle hunting with a back up handgun not handgun hunting. I did it years ago but found i got more enjoyment leaving the rifle at home and forcing myself to actually hunt rather then shoot.

Quote from: blhof on May 22, 2010, 05:15:54 AM

Is there a problem with carrying both a pistol and a rifle? I deer hunt with a pistol, but after a week of seeing deer at 200+ yds, I decided to carry both and ended up getting a shot at 40yds and using my pistol on the last day of modern gun season, but I had my rifle with scope for back-up.

sixshot · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:44:02 AM »

If you're going to handgun hunt then leave the rifle home & make it happen with your 629. You've already said you can get under 100 yds & thats a makeable shot with your handgun. I wouldn't use a hollowpoint, I'd go for a hardcast slug or a heavy duty jacketed. One such bullet is the 270 gr Speer Gold Dot, even better is one of the 300 gr slugs with a thick jacket or one of Belt Mountains Punch bullets.
I took my bull moose at 45 yds with a Ruger SRH 480 & a 370 gr softnose cast slug, I got complete penetration & the bull was down in 20-30 yds. The following year my friend took his bull moose with a Ruger 41 magnum & a 230 gr softnose cast, shot was about 65 yds, one shot as the bull faced us, he was down in 10 seconds.
You might not get the classic broadside shot but an angled shot is deadly if your bullet is up to the task. I've only taken one moose but I've taken a lot of elk with a sixgun, I'd say elk are tougher to put down, just my thoughts. Good luck!

Dick

manofthe45 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2010, 03:18:26 PM »

Quote from: Mikey on May 19, 2010, 01:47:53 AM

Go for it!!! Place your shot exactly as you would on Elk and you will fill your freezer. If you can place your shots accurately within 100m and can get to within 100m of a Moose, you should be golden. Send us pictures.

forget pics We want steaks

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2010, 06:15:12 PM »

Quote from: manofthe45 on May 24, 2010, 03:18:26 PM

Quote from: Mikey on May 19, 2010, 01:47:53 AM
Go for it!!! Place your shot exactly as you would on Elk and you will fill your freezer. If you can place your shots accurately within 100m and can get to within 100m of a Moose, you should be golden. Send us pictures.

forget pics We want steaks

Moose burgers are pretty good to.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2010, 05:43:07 PM »

I loaded up some 318 grain hardcast bullets over 20 grains of 296 that chrono a little over 1200 fps. They group pretty good out of my Smith and I think this is the load I'll use for my moose hunt. Recoil is not too bad and if I add the heavy counterweights to my revolver, it ain't bad at all. Just makes it a bit heavier to carry. Anyway, I got the tools, just need to refine the talent. Guess I'll just have to spend a LOT of time on the range. Life is good in Wyoming.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2010, 03:30:09 AM »

Dogshooter, over the years, I have been in on the kill of half a dozen moose...they never impressed me as hard to kill, but maybe hard to drop with one shot...I am certain your .44 will do the job...if you are close enough to do your part...two things I WOULD consider....what if you do see that monster trophy bull just out of pistol range.....

If horns are not your thing fine....the other thing is when one shoots a moose, they seem to run a short distance before dropping, this can turn packing one out from a piece of cake to some serious hard work...Not sure where your permit is, but the last trip my wife made for moose, grizzly was a serious concern...they knew a shot met meat...now you certainly can protect you self with either a rifle or good .44, BUT the hassle of dealing with shooting a protected animal is something to think about...good luck...moose are fun...I would say if you have time and a good area, taking a moose with the 6 gun is a very pratical deal...best of luck...

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2010, 04:00:43 AM »

can you bring a rifle too

millwright · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2010, 04:26:06 PM »

Oct. 2008 I took an 800 lb bull here in Maine with my 44 sbh with a 240 gr swc hard cast with 10 gr of unique. My gun has a 7 1/2 in barrel and a 2x Burris. Complete pass through behind the shoulder at 50 yd. Moose took two steps and died. Good luck!

Millwright

EdK · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2010, 05:23:10 AM »

I concur with the majority who seem to be recommending a hard cast at around 280-300gr.

Secondly I pride myself on being an ethical one-shot one-kill hunter. Admittedly this attitude is primarily toward deer. I have yet to draw a tag in the NH lottery however I've convinced myself that when I do I will swallow my pride and keep shooting until the moose drops. It is a big animal that can soak up a hit from a rifle and a one shot "drop-right-there" is the exception and not the rule. A 900 lb bull taken by my brother two years ago took a 180gr Nosler Partition placed properly through the boiler room, looked up at the shot and just started walking off. A second shot finished it but the way the animal acted - as if not hit and not in any way alarmed was a bit disturbing. Just go ahead and assume it will take 2-3 shots.

Sverre A. · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2010, 04:24:10 PM »

"can you bring a rifle too"

Is this a handgunsite

I have seen that someone have answered some questions with rifleresults.
I suppose that they have got a wrong thread

buck460XVR · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2010, 05:44:11 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on May 23, 2010, 03:11:19 AM

then your rifle hunting with a back up handgun not handgun hunting. I did it years ago but found i got more enjoyment leaving the rifle at home and forcing myself to actually hunt rather then shoot.

Same here. Leaving your rifle at home and hunting with a handgun in a true handgun caliber makes it all about the hunt, and a successful kill is a bonus and something that can be savored because of the increased challenge. Similar to bowhunting or the way muzzleloader hunting used to be. It's a stage that understandably, not all hunters get to. It's the stage where the satisfaction you get inside from having a quality hunt against a worthy quarry is more important than just a dead animal in the back of the truck to show the boys at work. Most modern rifles and long barreled handguns in rifle cartridges are easily capable of taking any game within 1/4 mile and farther. Even the biggest handguns in true handgun calibers are limited to 150 yards or less. I applaud Dogshooter for his desire to take a moose with a handgun, especially on a once in a lifetime hunt. Says a lot for his character and the type of hunter he is.

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on June 01, 2010, 03:30:09 AM

....what if you do see that monster trophy bull just out of pistol range..... .

For some, having to pass up the trophy of a lifetime cause it's out past 200 yards will haunt them till the day they die.....for a handgun hunter it just another part of the challenge, not a big deal. No different than bowhunting and watchin' that trophy walk by @ 100 yards. It's something you accept when you make that choice to leave the rifle at home. I do concur tho with your concerns about Grizzly and the possibility of an encounter without having the proper backup for them.

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2010, 07:11:12 AM »

hey i pistol hunt to i was just a thought to bring a rifle with as back up thats all gezzzz

tacklebury · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:24:34 PM »

Quote from: luckydawg13 on June 06, 2010, 07:11:12 AM

hey i pistol hunt to i was just a thought to bring a rifle with as back up thats all gezzzz

I do exactly that. I am using a NMB in .45 Colt and I carry a little H&R .45COlt BC which lets me take the range a little further. I wouldn't miss a chance at a nice game animal to carry only a pistol. The idea of hunting to me is to get game. Otherwise, why call it hunting it would just be watching.

Curtis · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2010, 04:11:20 AM »

I guess I just "watch" then.

Hunting is my excuse to get into the woods. I can go home empty handed with nary a care, and still be glad of the time I spent away from the city. I could probably not even take a gun and still call it time well spent. We're all different, I guess.

Curtis

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2010, 09:12:44 PM »

The heavyweight 320 44 Magnum loads are real penetrators. I bet they will exit the moose with a solid hit. There has been some talk about not wanting to deal with having to shoot a grizzly when cleanning the moose. I would suggest taking some bear spray with you and keep it handy when working in the field. It would be much easier to run the bear off than to put a damper on your hunt if you end up killing the bear.