7mm-08 for moose and elk?

[bigeasy]

with a well placed shot what are your thoughts on the 7mm-08 for moose & elk and to what distance and bullet weight?regards:idea:

 

[patchhound]

i got a few friends that use a 243 for elk, not more than at 150 yards though. 7-08 would work well for elk under 200yrds but i would`nt try it on a moose or a very large bull elk. unless your hunting in the woods i`de go for a stronger round for that posible long shot on a big bull elk and less chance of just wonding it. :thumb:

 

[M700]

Man, I'm no expert on it, having shot one big bull elk and no moose... But I can tell you that those critters are big!

The 7-08 is a dandy deer round. To push it for reliable performance on 700 pound elk or 1000 pound moose, you need not only good shot placement, but a bullet which will penetrate deeply.

I'd recommend the Nosler Partition, in 160 or 175 grains. I handloaded the 175 gr Partition to 2930 fps in a 24" barrel 7mm Rem mag for my elk hunt. My shot took him through the chest at 180 yards. The bullet penetrated completely through 3 - 4' of elk, and exited with about a .45 or .50 caliber hole. He took a few halting steps, then collapsed. The partition had done its job real well.

That big bull elk was a whole lot bigger than any deer I've ever shot, and took a lot more work to take care of after the shot.

I think the little 7mm-08 can do it. Anytime a fellow is using a deer cartridge on elk, I'd think he ought to make sure he's using a good bullet and placing his shots well.

FWIW, Guy

 

[bcott]

I have used from the 45/70,loaded down 458Win) on down to the 270Win for moose. They all went down, after awhile. The 270Win is not that much more of a cartridge than the 7/08, when looking at the energy columns. I used both the 130gr and the 150 gr in the 270 on moose. In the 270 I used the bullet weight that shot the best in that particular rifle. I should add two things. These were the eastern canadian moose, and not the giant alaskan models, although I am fairly sure they live and die by the same rules. With the exception of one neck shot with a 300Win Mag 180 gr Silvertip, they all took a while to fall over. Kind of an anxious moment. On my first one, my buddy told me "do not shoot again, he is dead". He was right. My 458 loaded with the Rem 405 gr double cannular bullet at 2000fps did not do any better with a chest shot. Farthest shot was "about" 180 paces. In the areas that I was hunting, Newfoundland, you could normally get closer. Shortest was 9ft. on a sleeping bull, with a 500gr lead 45 cal in the head. Even that one thrashed and vibrated for about 5 seconds or so. I took off as I thought I had just grazed him and he was going to get up and be mad,my young and dumb years).

My hunting partner, during those years, used a Husqvarna bolt gun, with iron sights, chambered for 308 Winchester and 180gr Silvertip bullets. He shot more moose than I did and never had one "wander off". He used to kid me about always changing rifles. He probably was right.

Yes, a moose looks huge. But if think of his legs as being only half as long he is a much smaller animal. I think the 7/08 will do fine, with a 160 or 175gr QUALITY bullet. Like anything else, bullet placement is the key. Even with the biggest magnum, if you cannot get the shot you want, don't take it.

Carl L.

 

[Austin]

I have herd it is very capable.