Shiras moose caliber

[LopeHunter]

If you want to stick with your 25-06 get some Barnes or other bonded bullet and use them. Moose are babies and lay down very shortly after being hit. Obviously with 25-06 your probably not going to get an exit so it won’t bleed very well

I think I could have slapped the bull moose I shot in SE Idaho. Get close. 25-06 will kill a moose. Might take a couple more shots than my .338 Win Mag did but each of my shots was lethal though I kept hammering the lungs/heart zone until tipped over as I had a bum leg and did not want to pack any further than necessary. A low lung shot will drain. They have big lungs so a high lung shot may not fill up for a while to start dripping.

 

[Sask hunter]

I think I could have slapped the bull moose I shot in SE Idaho. Get close. 25-06 will kill a moose. Might take a couple more shots than my .338 Win Mag did but each of my shots was lethal though I kept hammering the lungs/heart zone until tipped over as I had a bum leg and did not want to pack any further than necessary. A low lung shot will drain. They have big lungs so a high lung shot may not fill up for a while to start dripping.

Even with 338 they take a few. They usually just stand there and you can shoot them a few more times. If they don’t stand I dint think I have had one go more then 20-30 yards before laying down

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Thanks for the recommendations. I have someone offering to let me borrow their rifle but honestly its a really nice gun and I can see myself dropping it or something happening. I considering the 30-06 or 308. Thanks again everyone!

I'd go cheap then...Ruger American et al. Fixed 4x or 6x Leupold. You're not going to shoot it from far away; consistent 1.5-2" groups would be adequate, trusting it to hold zero would be my higher priority.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

I’m taking my .300win mag with 181 grain shock hammers, but I’d have no qualms using my .264win mag with 140grain swift aframes or 120grain etips.

 

[brymoore]

My family has killed a few elk with 257 Roberts. The elk all died quickly.

Swedes like to use 6.5x55 for moose.

Your 25-06 will work fine but don’t skip an opportunity to buy a new rifle if you want one. If you don’t, make sure you are using a good bullet. In fact, the bullet you use is probably more important than caliber. I use accubonds because they work for me.

 

[Gunner46]

A 308 will do it slickity-clickity. (or a 7/08, or a 270)

 

[BuzzH]

Proper bullets in anything .243-.375 and sane distance...done deal.

 

[appaloosa]

Shiras moose are soft, you can easily kill them with any legal firearm. My immediate family and I have killed 6 of them with everything from a 6.5 CM to a .338. I would have no concern whatsoever with a 25-06.
My son killed this one with a 6.5, one shot through the lungs and he never took a step....

 

[Khunter]

Killed 3 that hardly traveled after shot with 460 grain arrow tipped with a decent fixed broadhead. That will be my caliber for two moose hunts this year.

 

[The Hedgehog]

25-06 will work just fine.

 

[Scott85]

If you hunted a lot with your 25-06 and are very confident in your shooting ability with it I would carry that unless you are using this hunt as an excuse to get a new rifle.

 

[ThunderNocked]

I love my .280AI and am hoping to get my first moose with it this year.
I think 270, 280, 7mm, .30-06 or many others would be good. Moose are killed in Alaska with a .243, though most people think that is a bit small. You could use your .25-06.

Bergara would be good, Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka, several good options. You could look for a nicer used gun too. Browning X-bolt, Ruger, lots of good options.
Then get a nice scope - you don't need anything crazy, something that is good for a few hundred yards.

 

[cbat]

My wife also drew a Idaho moose tag this year. I am upgrading her to a Tikka t3 stainless 308.
I have been on several moose hunts in the last couple years and think she will be good with this choice. Mind if I ask which hunt you drew ?

 

[BAKPAKR]

I think moose sometimes just take a little while to realize they are dead. I have shot five (four Shiras and one Canada) and all of the shots have been pretty close - one maybe 75 yards and four within 50. I almost bought a Ruger No. 1 in 6.5x55 to use on my last one. I didn’t get the Swede but I wouldn’t have been concerned with using it. With the 25-06, I think you would be fine loaded with Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frames, Barnes or Hammer bullets, or 120 gr Core-Lokts. Just put the bullet tight in behind the shoulder on a broadside shot and you will have yourself a bull.

 

[nhenry]

Use the 25-06 if you're comfortable behind it. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[Sisu64]

Thanks again everyone for the replies, I appreciate the insight. I think I’m going to stick with the 25-06, watch my shots, and reload my own rounds with 115gr or 120 gr noslers or Barnes. Was also offered a 308 in a savage model 99 as back up as well (love those rifles but I can practice more with my 25 and it shoots well).

 

[Orion’s Breath]

My wife drew a MT moose tag this year and we’ll be taking her .270 with 130gr ttsx - it’s been a great setup for elk, and looking forward to taking her first moose with it!

 

[brendog84cj8]

I can tell you that a properly placed 225grain TTSX from my .338RUM was all it took on my moose in 2019. Having said that I basically flipped a coin between that and my 7mm as I would have been just as confident with either, if I did my part as the shooter.

 

[rfra]

Shiras are not tough animals to kill. Use whatever you're comfortable with and make a clean shot, the moose will die.

 

[king13]

I just bought a 300 prc and plan on using it this season for my elk and would definitely use it for a moose