new deer and moose gun

[jordisonkevin]

at the moment I shoot a .243 winchester and a .303 British and I am looking at upgrading to a larger calibre that I can use on both deer and moose. I probably well do more deer hunting than anything with it but I also want to know that if I do go for moose elk or black bear that I well be packing enough gun that I can shoot out to the 300-400 yard range. I am think about either the TC venture or a savage in 7mm mag or 300win mag. just wanted to know what you thought would be better the 7 or the 300

[Graybeard]

I expect that Canadian's shoot more moose each year with the .303 British than are shot with all the rounds you are thinking of combined. My advice is to forgot the idea of shoot a bear at such ranges. A wounded bear is a dangerous critter and your chances of wounding rather than killing clean go up exponentially as range increases.

You'd do well to learn to stalk and hunt and stick to the .303 British rather than trying some super duper magnum party pooper that you might end up being afraid of due to recoil.

[drdougrx]

Any 7mm or 30cal or greater with a heavy for caliber bullet should be fine.  I wouldn't get too exotic.  A 7mag with a 160/175gr premium or a 30cal 180gr or greater is doable.  Moose are not hard to kill, there's just alot a stuff on the way to the vitals.

[BBF]

There are few places that will give you an opportunity for a shot that long at moose. If you are going with an outfitter there is even less of a chance, while a 50 yard or less shot is more probable.

If you don't feel a .303 Brit is enough( and it is IMO) a standard 30 cal will do.
Should the urge of slinging heavier bullets overwhelm you, a 35 Whelen makes a dandy moose cartridge.

[JonJon]

BBF is Correct...

Growing up in Alaska moose hunting was a way of life.
We harvested, butchered, and stuffed 3 freezers full of moose cuts each year.
Our calibers were "old ones".
30-30,  30-06  &  300 HH.
I can not ever remember needing more than one round to put a moose to sleep.
All were stalked.  None were ever taken from spotting scope distances.

JonJon

[Dand]

I have to mostly agree with all that has been posted. I for one would hesitate to shoot at a moose at 300-400 yards unless it is really open country.  In a lot of moose country it would be very easy to lose a moose if it wandered at all after a hit, or if hit poorly. I'm sure several are taken every year at these ranges but I'd recommend getting a lot closer in 99% of the cases.  Regarding calibers, if you want something more than 30 cal, like one poster said, the 35 Whelen is a good one, I have friends who love the old 375 H&H, and the 338 Win Mag is very popular in Alaska. A lot of Alaska moose are taken with 270, 7mm mag, 308, 30-06, 300 mags. Being able to shoot it well, placing the bullet properly is the key like GB said. I have taken 1 moose with a 30-30, 3 with a 300 win mag. None very big.