My Rifle Hunt Tactics for Moose Number Three

First and foremost, like deer hunting, the wind can bust your efforts. I carry a wind powder in a small squeeze bottle and will check the wind at each of my moose bog setups and discuss strategy with my guides.  I use some Dead Down Wind powder.

 

And I have 4 bottles of synthetic moose/cow-in-estrous urine and will use it as a cover scent and attractant.   Reviews say the scent works and I will test it too.

I would have liked some bull moose urine too but could not locate any. If when hunting, I find a moose wallow, I will put some wallow urine on a rag and carry it for cover scent. Moose will not fully come-in if they suspect any human smells thus the scented rag trick can work with either estrous or bull scent. 

If all is right, I think  calling by mouth is a good initial strategy for me and listen for a bull to respond. I am pretty good at calling with my hands or a funnel type caller. Being able to make a long vibrato call for a cow mimic or a staccato-like grunt for a bull..

I just learned that moose talk,   between moose is usually a “rrruh” sound that says “I am a moose”. Good to use if you are making noise getting to your stand to cover your mistakes

I like to mock-stage-a-fight, raking trees and making a racket with a moose scapula. It’s great fun too. I killed a New Hampshire bull with that tactic.

I sometimes use the tending grunt if a bull is located, where you grunt by pinching your nostrils and cone your hands and “softly” say mwahh and mwahh as if saying, me want, and the “t”  is silent.  This tending grunt indicates a bull is tending a nearby cow-in-heat. If the listening bull is in rut, he will likely challenge the tending bull and show himself.

Below is a great video on moose vocalizations and raking antlers and how moose talk to each other. A must see… But the video did not talk about moose wallows, where male urinate and roll in it like a cologne for the ladies.

If at a distance we will use a power electronic caller. If he is close we can try to mimic a bull and thrash and rake trees with my moose scapula. If all goes well this September we will have a 1000 lb moose to quarter and haul out. Once boned we will have roughly 300 pounds of delicious meat to freeze and eat. And maybe a large rack of antlers. 

Below is my small racked bull taken in 2018. It does not look big in the photo but was 300 pounds of meat to take home. 

I am hoping for a much bigger rack this trip.

 

Good Hunting!

 

 

Recent Moose Hunt Gear Purchases: Duffles, Packs, Headlamps, Rifles and Bullets Etc.

As my readers know, Soon, I will be moose hunting in Newfoundland in September. You might be interested in my hunt gear below.

My new Allen Hunting Duffle. It is huge and rugged, and holds most all my gear, including tripods for its $40 cost. 

 

 

I had to purchase a larger daypack. It is amazingly well made.  Waterproof Camo Hunting Pack with Rain Cover, Durable Large Capacity Hunting Day Pack for Rifle Bow Gun. Cost $59. It is disappointing that its made in China but I bit the bullet.

It can strap on a rifle in the back of the pack and has a rifle butt sleeve for support and can carry a hydration system if you have one. Pockets on left and right of pack can store vacuum sealed water bottles like these below.

I used camo tape to cover the bottles. These bottles can hold liquid hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hrs. 

 

Frog Togg Hip Waders Cost $55

Synthetic Moose Estrus

My USA made Night Head Lighting

My scent eliminator below.

Below is My TriPod, Death Grip which is like a standing field bench rest. I love it for long range shots and grips your rifle.

 

My self-built 440C stainless knife and custom sheath. I purchased the blade and built the handle and had an eagle feather custom sheath created for it. Stunning!

 

And of course my Browning X-Bolt Speed in 7mm Rem, Mag. with Leupold VX-6 Scope and hand-loaded Nosler 175g AccuBond Long Range bullets.

 

 

X-Bolt Speed Suppressor Ready

Good Hunting!

 

 

 

 

Browning 7mm Rem Mag -175g Nosler ABLR at 300 and 600yds – Update

My Browning X-Bolt Speed was checked by my son Jason with Nosler 175g ABLR bullets at his F-Class  range at 300 and 600 yards. My scope is the famed Leupold VX-6 3×18 44mm on a 20 MOA Picatinny rail.

X-Bolt Speed

As my readers are aware, I am moose hunting in Newfoundland this September.  Newfoundland’s boreal forest is replete with expansive water soaked bogs and stunted clumps of black spruce known as tuckamores. A great place for moose to thrive, and a tough place to hunt. Distances in these bogs can be as-small-as 100 yards or as far as a 1000 yards or more.

Accordingly, the 300 yd target below shows 2 bullet holes at 11 o’clock at my calculated drop of 3 MOA. Wind was near still so we adjusted 1 MOA for the 6 inch 10 ring and came right 1 MOA. Happy now with the scope at 2 MOA drop at 300 yards with three 10 ring hits and terminal energy is 2578 ft-lbs. Wow!

 

At 600 yards my ballistic data said to shoot at 10.5 MOA drop. Below, the first 2 bullets at 12 and 1 o’clock in the 7 and 8 ring shot 10 inches high, thus we adjusted 2 MOA and shot low at 7 o’clock. We readjusted up 1 MOA and hit the 10 ring at 10 o’clock..

Total actual drop was 9 MOA and not the 10.5 my calculation indicated.

Details matter! Using a laser rangefinder when moose hunting these expansive bogs is a must.

Testing bullets at long range showed that calculated MOA put us on paper but not best for hunting. Making the adjustment on the range just 1.5 MOA up put me in the boiler room at 600 yards. Nice! Energy at 600 yards is in the 1800 ft-lb class. 

UPDATE

My Leupold VX-6 Scope was dialed back to its 100 yard zero, thus I took it back to my range and fired a single 100 yd shot below. Nice!

Good Shooting!

© Copyright 2023

 

Moose Hunting? Best Rifle Training Techniques

It is not every fall that we set out on a moose hunt, especially in New Hampshire where it is done by lottery. It took me 20 years to win my chance.

Once your rifle is sighted in for 100 yards on a bench rest, I suggest:

Study moose anatomy for shot placement, See this website below.

https://www.ucalgary.ca/caribou/HuntingMoose.html

Practice shooting free hand and then off shooting sticks like a tripod, bipod or monopod below.

It is important to note that “felt recoil” off a pod is noticeably less than shooting off a bench. Try it, you’ll like it.

 

Shoot at targets without a bullseye like the back of a white paper target below, aiming for the center of the paper.

Be ready for working the bolt on your rifle after that critical first shot for an immediate follow-up shot.

You can purchase life size moose targets and shoot them at different distances. See Below.

 

The idea is to build confidence in your ability to make the shot into the vitals. 

Success!

 

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Common Deer Rifle Cartridges for Moose Hunting

These deer hunting rifle cartridges come to mind for Eastern Moose hunting (Alces alces americana).

 

They are, the venerable 30-06 Springfield, 308 Winchester, 270 Winchester are common deer cartridges that work for moose. Both the 7mm08 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor can work too on broadside shots. 

Shot distances for rifles with these calibers should generally be under 250 yards to deliver the energy for bullet mushrooming and for adequate penetration.

Shot placement in the chest is key, ideally striking both lungs

Using the 30-06, I would use a 180 grain expanding spitzer bullet and limit shot distances to 250 yards keeping bullet speed above 2000 fps for adequate mushroom and penetration. Energy at 250 yards would be around 1900 ft-lbs.

Using the 308 Winchester, I would use a 165 grain expanding spitzer bullet and limit shots to 250 yards delivering 1800 ft-lbs.

Using the 270 Winchester, I would use 150 grain expanding spitzer bullets and limit shots to 250 yards. Energy at 250 yards would be around 1800 ft-lbs

Using the 7mm08 or 6.5 Creedmoor I would use 140 grain expanding spitzer bullets and limit shots to 175 yards. Energy at 175 yards would be around 1800 ft-lbs and take only broadside shots.

Best bullets are partition/a-frame types, and bonded bullets. Both Nosler and Hornady bullets come to mind.

Key factors in cartridge choices are bullet speeds around 2000 fps or greater for the bullet to mushroom and energy around 1800 ft-lbs or greater for penetration.

Alaskan moose are the largest of bull moose and can be upwards of 1400 lbs or more live weight.

Terminal energy on these giants need to be much higher at impact. Some say 2500 ft-lbs. Again, shot placement is key. 

Aim small miss small!

Bull moose do not often fall on the first shot. Be prepared for a fast follow-up shot.

Of course Magnum cartridges work better at longer distances but have more felt recoil.

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023

 

 

 

Fathers Day 2023 with my Browning 7mm Rem Mag 26″ X-Bolt and Nosler 175g ABLR

If you didn’t read my last article on this rifle, bullets, powder and primer. Here it is…

Browning X-Bolt Speed 7mm Rem Mag/w Nosler 175g ABLR at Sub-MOA w/ Timney Trigger/Leupold VX-6 – Wow Accuracy at 3000fps

I am very pleased indeed. I was wondering what difference the Norma case makes from new to 5 times shot. So I shot today, between rain drops out of boredom, with a new case, a 3x shot case and a 5 or 6x shot case. The primer went in easy with the 5 or 6x shot  case and harder with the new case. The older case necks were annealed and bullets seated easier than the new case.

I shot the three rounds with 2 old and 1 new case at 150yds. No wind.  The three shot Nosler 175g ABLR group measured 1/2 inch.  MV 3000fps. COL 3.44 inches. See below.

Looks like it makes no difference between new and old cases. I like it!

Good Shooting!

©Copyright 2023

 

 

 

Hornady 7mm 175g ELD-X and Nosler 175g ABLR – 3000fps in Browning Speed 7mm Rem Mag/w Timney Trigger and Leupold Scope

 

Browning X-Bolt Speed SR Bolt Action Centerfire Rifle

Using Alliant RL 22 powder, I have experimented to find my max load and best accuracy for long range moose hunting this fall. At 500 yds I still have 2000 ft-lbs of energy. 

Reloder 22

I found that each bullet type responded well to incremental loadings of Alliant Reloader 22 powder. This powder has been known by some hand loaders, including me, finding lot to lot variation thus load data I worked up is for my rifle and this powder lot only.

My first objective was to be safe and inspect each round before proceeding in incremental increases until either I achieved my velocity/energy goal or ran into case/primer concerns. I was able to achieve just over 3000 fps with nary an issue, even with a 9.5 barrel twist. 

My COAL objective was to set it at 20 thousandths less than the rifle lands and chronograph each bullet, then shoot for 3 shot groups at 100 yards. .On  the first pass, I achieved a 7/8 inch group at 100 yards with outside temp around 70 degrees and a cold barrel.

My Timney trigger was set a 3 pounds and worked crisply. Thanks Timney!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Leupold VX-6 3-18 was set at 10x. Love my Leupold!

Leupold VX-6 CDS Rifle Scope - 307376, Rifle Scopes and Accessories at ...

I believe 3 shot bench groups are all that is necessary for hunting accuracy.  It is very rare to fire more than 3 rounds at one big game animal. My confidence is very high with this Browning in hand. Next is to shoot off hand and with a tripod type rest and shoot a fast follow up shot with the short 60 degree bolt throw.

Good Shooting!

 

Reloading: 6.5mm Lapua Mega 155 bullet now in stock at Midway

May 2, 2023 In stock

One of my favorite New England deer/bear hunting 6.5 mm bullets for my Creedmoor. It hammers them and puts brown to the ground in brushy terrain. 

Lapua Mega Bullets 264 Caliber, 6.5mm (264 Diameter) 155 Grain Soft Point Box of 100

Quote from Midway-

“Mega soft point bullets are constructed to be an ideal hunting bullet. The bullet’s flattened nose causes a powerful shock immediately after impact. The jacket extends all the way to the tip of the bullet, protecting the nose both in the rifle and flight, if it hits a branch or twig. The crown-headed jacket tip is thinned toward the point and deliberately folded to ensure even opening and mushrooming on impact up to 2.5 times the original diameter.

The jacket is substantially thickened at its middle section which arrests the mushrooming at precisely the right stage. The “step” farther inside the jacket holds the lead core within the jacket. This construction combines maximum weight retention (averaging 90%) and ideal penetration with superb accuracy.”

See my article below using Superformance powder.

6.5 Creedmoor Superformance Load Data with Lapua Mega 155 grain Soft Point Flat Nose

Another article on round nose bullets below.

Round nose bullets drop them faster! Hornady makes round nose for 6.5mm too.

Round Nose Bullets, Too Often Overlooked

Good Hunting!

Reloading and Shooting 7mm RM 175g ABLR 150yd Sub MOA Max Load

Reloading and Shooting Thoughts for Long Range Hunting.

It is important to recognize that there are significant differences from hunting vs target reloading/shooting.

Hunters want a light rifle, (6 to 9 pounds) that shoots accurately out of a cold barrel.

It is the first cold barrel shot that really counts to anchor your big game, not the second, third or fourth shot.

Sure, a follow up shot is also important in the case that your game is still on its feet, but that first cold barrel shot is key.

Shoot for 3 shot groups not 5 shot groups.

Below from my new Browning X-Bolt Speed 7mm Rem Mag  at 150 yards at 7/8 inch group at 3000fps. I will practice out to 600 yards.

Nosler 175g ABLR 3 shot
group RL 22 at 150 yds 2975 fps
7/8 inch

Target shooters on the other hand want a heavy rifle and  heavy barreled rifle (often well over 10 to 20 pounds to absorb heat from the barrel and reduce felt recoil. Best target groups are from a warmer barrel not a cold barrel. And the bullet is chambered to engage the rifling thus increasing chamber pressure.  

Hunter’s who reload, prefer to reload to around 15 to 30 thousandths off the rifling lands and often can shoot a hotter and faster bullet to maintain more delivered energy to big game. My 7mm Rem Mag Browning X-Bolt delivers 2000 ft-lbs. of energy at 550 yards. 

By reloading for your hunting rifle, you can customize case, powder, bullet and primer, save cost, get more satisfaction,  while increasing long range accuracy from a cold barrel.

Since preparing to hunt moose this fall, at long range, I pay more attention to case concentricity, seating depth and neck tension. It has helped greatly.

l_749007305_1.jpg

One final thought, I swab the bore at the end of cleaning with a degreaser solvent to remove any lubricant or cleaning agent to improve the first cold shot.

KG KG-3 Gun Cleaner-Degreaser 19 oz Aerosol

It works great!

Good Hunting!

©Copyright 2023

 

 

 

Redding Competition Bushing Neck Sizer Die for 7mm Rem Mag

For Long range shooting I need consistent neck tension on my bottleneck bullets. I ordered this Redding Bushing Neck sizer die from Midway for $148 dollars and a Titanium Nitride Bushing $34 below for my 7mm Rem Mag.

Do you need this special neck sizer for hunting here in New England? Not really, unless you shoot beyond 200 yards or are strong on the details side of things. 

Redding Competition Bushing Neck Sizer Die

Below: Titanium Nitride Bushing

Redding Neck Sizer Die Bushing

Reading the instructions, I had to unscrew the micrometer and spring/shaft portion from the body and place the bushing into the main body tube where the micrometer came out.

This die comes with a primer-remover-shaft that allows you to use the primer remover, or not, by adjusting the shaft in or out. I did not want to de-prime, as my brass was full length sized, confirmed concentric to 0.003″ or less on my Sinclair gage, and then primed.

My already loaded rounds measure 0.311″ Outside Diameter.  My neck bushing has a 0.309″ opening will now size the empty primed and full length brass to 0.309″ to grip the bullet by 0.002″ tension.

Here is a photo and Stat’s of the latest Nosler 175g ABLR 3 shot Nosler 175g ABLR 3 shot 7/8″ group RL 22 at 150 yds.

 

Stats – Average 2964.82 fps
Stats – Highest 2975.04 fps
Stats – Lowest 2953.98 fps
Stats – Ext. Spread 21.06 fps
Stats – Std. Dev 10.55 fps

Primers and case look normal. I could punch the 3000fps mark but with this really tight 150 yard 7/8″group, I am very happy here with an SD of 10.

Good Shooting!

© Copyright 2023