What cartridge would you choose for hunting Bull Moose in Canada?

[JG26Irish_2]

I am planning a Fall 2026 Bull Moose hunt in Canada. I have never hunted moose but know them to be larger than an Elk and a bit harder to kill. I know that a good bullet and good bullet placement is more important than the rifle and cartridge used but I also know that using enough gun can prevent longer tracking jobs and that using a flatter shooting gun can make taking longer shots less of a guessing game. Our tag also gives us the option of a Bull Elk if one is found. The terrain is mostly flat and open where we will be hunting so, spot and stalk using terrain and limited cover is the plan and longer shots are expected in some cases.

I am blessed to own multiple rifles all capable of taking moose. I will likely limit my ranges to 300y or less and endeavor to be inside 200y if at all possible so we do not need a long range precision rifle for this hunt but accuracy builds confidence and confidence makes taking the shot when presented less of an issue. Here are my current options:

• 308 FN Browning - 180g Fusion bonded a proven killer in Africa. Has never failed to result in a 1 shot kill for me. Light and handy and good out to 300y. I know it can work but think it a bit small for this job. Not my 1st choice.
  
  
• 30-06 Husqvarna - 180g Swift Scirocco bonded or Barnes TTSX. One of the most accurate rifles I own and the one I would choose if I had to shoot over 300y due to its extreme accuracy. Shoots sub MOA out to 400y. How good is the 06 on Moose? This one is a maybe.
  
  
• 7mm Mag 175g Fusion or Barnes TTSX - Fierce Firearms CT Edge. A true 1/2moa hunting rifle that is also light in weight and capable of running a suppressor. Has a nice 3.5-16c Swarovski on it and is also a 400y rifle. How effective is the 7mm on Moose? I have killed deer with it but nothing this large.
  
  
• 338 RCM - Ruger's light and handy little Compact Mag. The only ammo I can get for it is the Hornady 225g SST. Works great on deer but is the SST the best choice for Moose? I love this rifle but it is at best a 1.5-2.0" gun at 100y and at anything over 200y I would struggle with it. That and the ammo limitations disqualify it unless I reload for it and can load a 225g TTSX and get under 1" performance - Two very big "If's". This one is lowest on my list.
  
  
• 338wm - Sako 85. This is the one I like the best for this job but it too is less than a tack driver but I can get Barnes 225g TTSX ammo for it and it shoots about 1" at 100y with them. At the moment, it is my front runner. Enough velocity and energy to reach out to 400y but not enough precision to suit me for such long shots. Keep it inside 200y and it is money. Current front runner.
  
  
• 375HH - ER Shaw Custom P14 Enfield. My DG rifle. Super accurate and capable of 400y accuracy but does not have enough oomph in my opinion for shooting game out past 250 or maybe 300y. Still a great choice for Moose but a load to pack around all day. Heavy. TSX might not expand well out past 250y. I have TBBC and Nosler AB ammo for it too but all are running under 2000fps out past 250y. Better for closer range shots but we may be force to shoot out there on this hunt due to the terrain.

One of my hunting partners is bringing a 300wm. In many ways the 7mm Mag out performs the 300 once you get out past about 300y. Would I be better off to hunt with the 7mm which is several pounds lighter than my larger options? Or bring the big boomer and be done with it? Some of you knowledgeable Moose slayers out there please chime in. Pic of the 7mm below.

 

[BnC 04]

338 Win would be and is my go to choice for moose. Paired with the right bullet its an excellent moose setup.

 

[dchum]

I would take your 7mag with the Barnes load.

 

[farmer_john]

I am planning a Fall 2026 Bull Moose hunt in Canada. I have never hunted moose but know them to be larger than an Elk and a bit harder to kill. I know that a good bullet and good bullet placement is more important than the rifle and cartridge used but I also know that using enough gun can prevent longer tracking jobs and that using a flatter shooting gun can make taking longer shots less of a guessing game. Our tag also gives us the option of a Bull Elk if one is found. The terrain is mostly flat and open where we will be hunting so, spot and stalk using terrain and limited cover is the plan and longer shots are expected in some cases.

I am blessed to own multiple rifles all capable of taking moose. I will likely limit my ranges to 300y or less and endeavor to be inside 200y if at all possible so we do not need a long range precision rifle for this hunt but accuracy builds confidence and confidence makes taking the shot when presented less of an issue. Here are my current options:

• 308 FN Browning - 180g Fusion bonded a proven killer in Africa. Has never failed to result in a 1 shot kill for me. Light and handy and good out to 300y. I know it can work but think it a bit small for this job. Not my 1st choice.
  
  
• 30-06 Husqvarna - 180g Swift Scirocco bonded or Barnes TTSX. One of the most accurate rifles I own and the one I would choose if I had to shoot over 300y due to its extreme accuracy. Shoots sub MOA out to 400y. How good is the 06 on Moose? This one is a maybe.
  
  
• 7mm Mag 175g Fusion or Barnes TTSX - Fierce Firearms CT Edge. A true 1/2moa hunting rifle that is also light in weight and capable of running a suppressor. Has a nice 3.5-16c Swarovski on it and is also a 400y rifle. How effective is the 7mm on Moose? I have killed deer with it but nothing this large.
  
  
• 338 RCM - Ruger's light and handy little Compact Mag. The only ammo I can get for it is the Hornady 225g SST. Works great on deer but is the SST the best choice for Moose? I love this rifle but it is at best a 1.5-2.0" gun at 100y and at anything over 200y I would struggle with it. That and the ammo limitations disqualify it unless I reload for it and can load a 225g TTSX and get under 1" performance - Two very big "If's". This one is lowest on my list.
  
  
• 338wm - Sako 85. This is the one I like the best for this job but it too is less than a tack driver but I can get Barnes 225g TTSX ammo for it and it shoots about 1" at 100y with them. At the moment, it is my front runner. Enough velocity and energy to reach out to 400y but not enough precision to suit me for such long shots. Keep it inside 200y and it is money. Current front runner.
  
  
• 375HH - ER Shaw Custom P14 Enfield. My DG rifle. Super accurate and capable of 400y accuracy but does not have enough oomph in my opinion for shooting game out past 250 or maybe 300y. Still a great choice for Moose but a load to pack around all day. Heavy. TSX might not expand well out past 250y. I have TBBC and Nosler AB ammo for it too but all are running under 2000fps out past 250y. Better for closer range shots but we may be force to shoot out there on this hunt due to the terrain.

One of my hunting partners is bringing a 300wm. In many ways the 7mm Mag out performs the 300 once you get out past about 300y. Would I be better off to hunt with the 7mm which is several pounds lighter than my larger options? Or bring the big boomer and be done with it? Some of you knowledgeable Moose slayers out there please chime in. Pic of the 7mm below.

View attachment 734265

Im also hoping for a moose hunt next year. Took my 06 with 180 sirroco to main this year deer hunting. And will next year if we draw a tag. Just take the rifle you like the most.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve never heard moose described as difficult to kill. I’d take the 338 win, but I’d be equally comfortable with 7mm. You cannot take a suppressor to Canada.

 

[TMac]

Based on 4 Moose, I’d say they are not particularly difficult to kill. They are large, but it is easy to get adequate penetration into the chest. They have a very deep chest, but for their size not excessively wide. They can take a while to show the effects of a traditional lung shot is what I’ve noticed.

What ever will kill a deer or elk will work well for Moose. We've used 7RemMag, 30-06 and 270 Win, all with great success. 150 gr Corelokts, 180 gr TTSX and 130 gr TTSX all did well. I’d take which ever rifle you like and have the most confidence in. Everything you listed will work and work well.

 

[K-man]

You have several rifles that will work. I'm not sure you will need to shoot over 200 yds. My first choice would be the .375 but you make a good point about the weight of yours. You already have confidence in the .30/06 and the Barnes 180 grain is a great choice for moose. I think you should take the rifle you love

 

[V.Veritas]

Heavier than elk - Yes. Harder to kill - No.
Any calibers between 270 Win and 300 WM will work. Use good quality bullets that hold together.
Your 7mm mag is perfect if you like it.
I use a 300 WM, but the lion’s share of moose hunted in our group over the last 10 years were shot with 270 Win.
Heavier calibers definitely work, but are not necessary nor a definite advantage.

 

[Albert GRANT]

Moose are not hard to kill. It might be a misconception simply because a clean lung shot takes a bit longer for those big lungs to collapse and the moose to expire, but typically a shot like that takes the fight out of them and they just stand there and die. If they run, they can run for a while but they will be just as dead at the end of it. Any of those rifles will be fine and will kill a moose with ease.

 

[CADDIE5]

My son and I hunted Maine moose in Allagash. I hunted with Win model 70 pre64 375ruger 270sp-rp LVPO scope. Jr had Tikka 300wm with 180gr Nosler Partition Trijicon3-12×56mm scope. Outfitter had a tag, he was hunting with 338-378wby mag. Moose hide along clearcuts and can disappear in the foliage. Moose have been killed with 30-06. Use what you feel confident with. Shots can be fast. Accuracy matters. Use your 338wm

 

[Hififile324]

Take the rifle you shoot best! The Moose won't care!

 

[CADDIE5]

Reticle. Maine moose terrain

 

[wildwilderness]

I say the 338 RCM would be great for moose. Moose aren’t known for long range shooting. They also aren’t that hard to kill but can absorb shots. I like the idea of a bigger hole and heavier bullet.

Would be a good reason to work on that rifle and get it performing up to your standards. If not I may be interested in the rifle

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Moose aren't hard to kill. Any of those listed will work fine. I have killed most of mine with an Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express. My largest (60"+) I killed with a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.

I'd pick the .30-06 because I like older rifles.

 

[Houston Bill]

I have hunted moose a couple of times in Canada. While large, moose are not particularly tough or difficult to kill. My hunts were horse back hunts so I took light rifles for that reason. I used 300 WSM for one hunt and 308 Win for the other. Both had 180 grain bullets. Also, the lungs and heart of a moose are quite large so you have a big target to hit and therefore is not that difficult a shot even at long range. Bottom line: any of the guns you listed would get the job done. If it were me I would use the 30-06 or the 7MM Rem Mag but the 308 Win would also work. I love the 338 Win Mag and have a Tikka T3 in that caliber but just don't think you need that much firepower for moose. 7MM Mag with 175 grain bullet is plenty big enough. The sectional density of the 7MM 175 grain bullet is higher than the SD of the 180 grain 30 cal bullet. Either bullet you mentioned for with the 30-06 or 7MM Mag will work. While I have not hunted moose with 7MM Mag I have hunted game all over the world including Africa with the that caliber using 168 grain NOS Accubond Long Range or 175 grin ELD-X. It has killed everything with one shot including Eland.

 

[Daryl S]

I’ve never heard moose described as difficult to kill. I’d take the 338 win, but I’d be equally comfortable with 7mm. You cannot take a suppressor to Canada.

Moose are actually babies. Elk are MUCH tougher. Double lung a moose and it's a dead moose. Oft times they will drop right there, or walk a bit. I've seen them run as well, but usually will lay down inside 75yards, usually 50yards.
I've used rifles to .458, but not necessary. I've killed them with a .682" cal. round ball - moose walked - walked 20 steps and lay down.
A .30/06 works very well, with 165, 180 or 200gr. bullets. My old uncle, in the 1970's used a model 1917 '06 with 220gr. Remington factory loads.
The .303 Enfields have likely killed more moose than any other ctg. in B.C. and most or at least many guys used 215gr. RN's. When they became hard to find, they went with 180gr. Power Points(WW).
So, from what you've got, .30/06 or .308 would be my choice. I've never liked the 7mm Mag. for some reason, but they-too will work.
Buddy of mine's favourite rifle for moose for a while, was a .338. He's been shooting moose in B.C. since 1963 or so and used a .303 sporterized Mark 3 Enfield for his first 20 years of shooting moose for his family - big family.
In the 60's, his neighbours asked his Dad, "Pete, why'd you buy that cannon. You .25 worked just fine for 20yards. Pete bought an M1917 in .30/06(of course). His old .25 was a Steven's Favorite. Shoot him in the lungs, and he'll lay down inside 50 yards. Sit down, roll a smoke and he'll be dead in 15 to 20 minutes.
Back in the 70's the game warden in Smithers B.C. told the R&G Club, "I wish the Indians would use their damn .303's in the winter to poach a moose. Instead they use their .22 as they are out for rabbits which is just an excuse. If the shot moose walks into the bush into deep snow, they go find another and shoot him in the ribs." "They kill a dozen moose before one stays on the road."
I think word got around and they then started using their fall, moose rifles, a .303.
This one was shot with a .458 2". He was 675lbs. hanging at the butcher shop, just the skinned quarters.

 

[Beck]

.338

 

[Betterinthebush]

You’re best rifle is your .30-06. Good you’re done. Use that. As others have already said moose can soak up a lot of lead, but they’re not hard to drop compared to the larger antelope of Africa.

My .338WM is my moose rig. With 225gr. Barnes TSX-FB it’s proven for me. I also use .375H&H w/300gr. TBBC’s. Also a tried and proven rig.

 

[CADDIE5]

Mauser 98 338wm McGowen match magnaported barrel McMillan pillar bedded fiberglass stock Kahles illuminated 1.5x6x42mm scope German 3 plex. Shoots .5moa 300yds verified group

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Right at 24 years ago I killed my Idaho Shiras moose with my 7mm Mag. Bullet was definitely at Nosler Partition, either 160gr or 175gr, I don't remember. The bull took just a couple labored steps forward after the shot, wobbled and fell over. High lung shot at about 175 yards.