Sometimes I just have to shake my head....

[gwindrider1]

I don't care where you are, or where you are from, there are poor shooters/hunters everywhere, just as there are good, and bad people scattered everywhere.

Still, there are those I sometimes encounter that scare the hell out of me.  That's why I stay armed!

 

[Drilling Man]

A couple of years ago my friend who was working as an assistant guide brought a client into Moose camp.  This guy was carrying a .308.  A short gun, carbine lenght.  I don't remember the manufactor, just a little bolt gun.  Anyway I took him out to the river the day he arrived and had him shoot some targets.  He hit them with decent groups, but I told him he really needed a bigger gun.  He was offended, and started telling me how many deer that little gun had killed.

Four days later when he got his chance to shoot a Moose, he used all his cartridges, six rounds. He then watched the Moose walk away, and was unable to do anything about it.  Using my .338 TCR I placed one shot in the center of the shoulder knocking the Moose down.  I was sitting back in heavy brush, when I made the 300 yard shot.  The client was over 500 yards from me and never heard the shot.  The client saw the Moose go down and he thought his bullets finally did the job.  I never said anything to him about it.  When we were skinning the Moose out my partner found all six of the .308 bullets in the heart lung area.  The client kept saying how it took all six of his shots to bring the Moose down.  When my partner found the seventh bullet he noticed it was not a .308, then looked at me and smiled.  We never told the client anything, let him think his .308 brought down the Moose.  They deffinately would have killed it, just not soon enough for him to collect it.  I shot it just as it was ready to step into the river.  Once it had gone into the water we never would have found it.

  Wonderful story, EXCEPT your comparing a moose shot in the lungs to a moose shot in the shoulder...  Had he been using a good heavier bullet and shot the moose in the shoulder it also would have went down...  Had you also shot the moose in the lungs with your 338, it still wouldn't have went down...

  The moral to your story is, use good bullets and break the animal down, NOT that the 308 isn't enough gun for moose...

  I like the 338, harvested a truck load of game with it, but i've also seen too many moose harvested with 308's and 30-06's to know that "they" also will have no problems with moose IF you use the proper bullets...

  A 30-06 with 200 NP's will take moose at all angles within reasonable ranges, and even break them down with a shoulder shot if needed...  Been there and done that more than one time in the 25 years i lived in Alaska...

  DM

[dougk]

A couple of years ago my friend who was working as an assistant guide brought a client into Moose camp.  This guy was carrying a .308.  A short gun, carbine lenght.  I don't remember the manufactor, just a little bolt gun.  Anyway I took him out to the river the day he arrived and had him shoot some targets.  He hit them with decent groups, but I told him he really needed a bigger gun.  He was offended, and started telling me how many deer that little gun had killed.

Four days later when he got his chance to shoot a Moose, he used all his cartridges, six rounds. He then watched the Moose walk away, and was unable to do anything about it. 

Sourdough
great story...

What weight bullet was your client using and how far was he from the Moose?

THanks
Doug

[Sourdough]

He was using 150gr bullets in his .308.  This guy paid for a guided Moose hunt and brought the same ammo he used back in Virginia for whitetail.  Too cheap to buy proper ammo.  He also had a strap from one of his wife's purses duct taped to the gun for a sling.  He also brought a sleeping bag that he borrowed from his daughter, it really was a slumber bag, that kids carry for sleepovers at friends houses, and made of cotton with about 2lbs polyester filling.  It was good if the temp was in the 70s or high 60s, but it got down into the low 40s and high 30s that week he almost froze his first night.  After that I loaned him an old bag that I keep stashed out there for emergencies, he was glad to use it.

[Clodhopper]

OK all you Alaska guys with mucho experience and knowledge!  I have a chance at a once in a lifetime (for me) chance at an Alaska moose hunt next year.  I have a .375 H&H that I am pretty confident with and have been using 270 grain Hornady bullets at about 2650 fps (hand loads).  Do you think that this is adequate for a moose and a big bear, if I have to defend myself from one?

Next question, I have a Weaver 2.5 power scope on the rifle (a CZ 550) at present.  I like the scope, I have had it on many rifles, and the eye relief that it provides.  I can hit the steel 12 inch targets at 200 yards every time.  Do you think that this scope is adequate?

A response from any of you Alaska experienced guys would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Jack

[deltecs]

With the .375 and 270 gr well constructed bullets, you can hunt almost all game anywhere in the world not just Alaska.  You won't have any problem with bear, moose, bison, or musk ox up here with it.  It is flat shooting enough for caribou too.  Most shots even in Alaska aren't taken more than 300 yds on game.  Most of the time you can get closer for a larger sight picture.  The scope you've asked about is about ideal in my opinion.  I've used several Weaver K 2.5 scopes without failure.  It field of vision is sufficient for close shots and enough power for the long ones.  Go for it.

[Daveinthebush]

When talking about big bears, the .338 and .375 go hand-in-hand for popularity. It will certainly get the job done. Better to be using a firearm that you are confident in and trust than something else. The 2x will work but a 2 x 7 Leupold would be better.

[Clodhopper]

Thanks guys!  I have been thinking about the 2 x 7 Leupold as I have one of those also.

Regards
Jack

[Dand]

The 375 and Weaver 2.5 is a great combination for up here.  But take your time and really think before switching to the 2-7.  I use a 300 Win Mag and for many years had the Leupold 1.5 - 5 with very good results.  But I got itchy for a little more magnification and picked up a used Leup 2-7 x32.  I put it on last fall and took it moose hunting. Its ok and I think I do better on paper at longer ranges, but it seems darker than my 1.5-5 when I'm out hunting.  I might go back to the old scope (1981 vintage) as it was so bright and I really can't tell that much difference at the top magnifications when I'm in the moose woods. Didn't do much hunting on the tundra this year as our caribou population has dropped very low.

The eye relief on the 2-7 seems shorter and more critical even at 2x than the 1.5-5 also and its nice to have plenty of eye relief with a hard kicker.

If you do well at 200 with your current set up I'd say stick with it. If you end up in thick stuff for moose or bears the shorter scope is appreciated too.

Now if you were to consider going to the VX3 1.5-5 I'd say maybe - but for the price you might be better served getting the best raingear and boots, poly pro or similar long underwear, and more ammo for practicing.

[Clodhopper]

Thanks for the input, Dand!  I looked at the 2 x 7, which I have mounted on another rifle and decided that it was too short for the ring set-up on the CZ.  The Weaver 2.5 is one of the older long ones with long eye relief and it fits real well.  It produces a bright sight picture and works for me.  It gets you on target for close shots really fast, which might be an advantage.  So, I'm saving my money for other gear!

Thanks Again
Jack