Moose, Elk and Bear: Three Very Different Big Game Species It’s easy to lump moose, elk and bears together under the banner of “big game,” but hunters know these three species behave, move and live very differently.
A rifle and cartridge that excels for a Montana elk hunt may be less than ideal when you’re calling in a close‑range black bear, and the light, flat‑shooting round that drops mule deer at 350 yards may not deliver the energy required when a bull moose stands at 150 yards.
Understanding the differences between these animals – their average size, body structure, typical ranges and the terrain you hunt them in – is essential for choosing the right rifle caliber. In this article we’ll look at the anatomy and habits of moose, elk and bears, explain what makes an effective hunting cartridge, and recommend popular calibers that have proven reliable in the field.
By the end you’ll have a solid foundation for matching your rifle to the game you pursue while ensuring ethical kills and manageable recoil. Factors That Determine Rifle Caliber Choice Before diving into specific cartridges for each animal, it’s important to understand the broader factors that influence caliber selection: Size and anatomy of the animal. Moose and mature bull elk can weigh 800 pounds or more.
A cartridge that sends a bullet with enough mass and energy to reliably penetrate large bones and thick muscles is necessary. Black bears are usually smaller (200 to 400 pounds) but have dense shoulders and a reputation for soaking up poorly placed shots. Brown and grizzly bears can weigh well over 600 pounds, making bullet weight and construction critical. Bullet construction. Today’s controlled‑expansion bullets (like the Barnes TSX, Swift A‑Frame and Nosler Partition) retain weight and penetrate deeply without disintegrating on impact.
This allows hunters to choose slightly smaller calibers with confidence they’ll reach the vitals. For extremely large animals or when shots may be quartering, a heavier bullet with a bonded or monolithic design is a wise choice. Distance of the shot. In open country you might need to take a shot at 300 yards or more.
Flat‑shooting cartridges with high ballistic coefficients (BC) – such as the 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm Remington Magnum – shine here. In tight timber or when calling, shots are often inside 100 yards, so a slower, heavier round like the .45/70 or a 12‑gauge slug can be very effective. Recoil and shooter comfort. A powerful rifle is useless if you can’t shoot it accurately. When choosing between two adequate cartridges, most hunters prefer the one they can practice with and shoot well. The .30/06 Springfield, for example, has decades of proven performance on big game yet remains relatively manageable for most shooters.
In contrast, cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum and .375 Ruger deliver tremendous energy but can produce sharp recoil that discourages practice. Legal requirements. Some jurisdictions specify minimum calibers or energy levels for hunting certain species. For example, a state might require at least a .270 caliber for elk or a .30 caliber for grizzly bear. Always check regulations before selecting your rifle.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore caliber options tailored to moose, elk and bear hunting. Choosing a Moose Rifle Caliber Moose are the largest members of the deer family. Adult bulls can exceed 1,800 pounds and stand six feet tall at the shoulder. They are less wary than elk but have enormous bone structure and thick muscles.
Because moose are often hunted in swampy or forested country, shots tend to be between 50 and 200 yards. Your rifle needs to hit hard and penetrate deeply; bullet weight should generally be 180 grains or more. The .30/06 Springfield – a versatile minimum Many experienced guides consider the .30/06 Springfield the minimum acceptable moose cartridge. When loaded with heavy 180–220 grain
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Many experienced guides consider the .30/06 Springfield the minimum acceptable moose cartridge. When loaded with heavy 180–220 grain bullets, this century ‑old round will break shoulders and reach the vitals reliably. Field & Stream notes that 185‑grain bullets like Browning’s BXC controlled‑expansion load give the .30/06 the punch needed for big bulls. Its recoil is moderate and ammunition is widely available. If you plan to hunt in bear country or want added margin, you can step up in power, but the .30/06 remains a proven workhorse.
For hunters carrying a lever‑action rifle in thick cover, the .45/70 Government is hard to beat. Modern high‑pressure loads fire a 300–405 grain bullet at 1,800 feet per second, delivering tremendous energy at close range. Traditional 405 grain soft‑points will drop a moose inside 100 yards when placed correctly. Opt for controlled‑expansion bullets like the Hornady FTX or Remington Core‑Lokt to balance penetration and expansion. Because it is a straight‑wall cartridge, the .45/70 is legal in many states that allow only such rounds for hunting.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has become extremely popular for deer and antelope thanks to its mild recoil and long‑range accuracy. Some hunters wonder if it is adequate for moose. Field & Stream points out that a 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with a 140‑grain bullet will kill a moose, but only when the shot is perfectly placed and at moderate distance. Because a wounded moose can cover substantial ground before expiring, many guides hesitate to recommend it. If you prefer a modern mid‑bore, consider stepping up to a 7mm Remington Magnum or .280 Ackley Improved. These cartridges fire heavier 160‑175 grain bullets with higher velocity, delivering more energy and a flatter trajectory.
When you waou’re hunting in areas where grizzlies may appear, heavy magnums offer peace of mind. The .338 Winchester Magnum, introduced in 1958, sends a 250 grain bullet at over 2,700 feet per second and carries more than 4,000 foot‑pounds of energy, making it ideal for moose and bear. Recoil is significant, but effective muzzle brakes and modern recoil pads mitigate the punishment.
For true big‑game insurance, the .375 Ruger offers near‑dangerous‑game rifle performance in a standard‑length action. It can launch 270 or 300 grain bullets with over 4,600 foot‑pounds of energy. If you are comfortable with its substantial recoil, the .375 Ruger (or the similar .375 H&H Magnum) will anchor moose at any angle and provide protection in bear country.
Elk occupy a middle ground between deer and moose in terms of size. Mature bulls often weigh 700–800 pounds and have a tough, dense shoulder girdle. They inhabit mountainous terrain and large, open parks, so you may need to make shots from 50 yards in timber to 400 yards across a canyon. Your elk rifle must combine sufficient energy with manageable recoil and flat trajectory.
Experienced guides consistently recommend cartridges in the .30‑caliber range. Petersen’s Hunting notes that a Montana guide’s favorite elk guns include the .30/06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 PRC and .30 Nosler. These cartridges strike a balance between recoil and authority.
The .30/06 loaded with a 180‑grain Nosler Partition will drive about 3,000 foot‑pounds of energy and works well to 300 yards. Stepping up to the belted .300 Winchester Magnum increases velocity to around 3,100 feet per second with a 190‑grain bullet and produces over 4,100 foot‑pounds of energy. Newer cartridges like the .300 PRC and .30 Nosler push long, heavy bullets at similar velocities with improved long‑range ballistics, but they require modern rifles and sometimes scarce ammunition.
Hunds in the eastern hardwoods to over 400 pounds in Alaska. Brown and grizzly bears can reach 700 to more than 1,000 pounds. Bears have a thick layer of fat, dense bones and heavy muscles; poor shots may not pass through to vital organs. Additionally, bears are predators that can turn defensive if wounded, so many guides recommend erring on the side of more power. Mossberg’s roundup notes that a centerfire rifle or a 12‑gauge shotgun slug delivers the velocity and energy needed to stop a charging bear.
If you are hunting average‑sized black bears over bait or with hounds, traditional deer rifles like the .30‑30 Winchester or .308 Winchester are adequate with the right bullets. The .30‑30 is a classic lever‑action round that fires a 160‑170 grain bullet around 2,400 feet per second, producing about 2,000 foot‑pounds of energy. Mossberg’s article notes that it maintains its popularity for black bear thanks to its moderate recoil and effective punch. The .308 Winchester offers similar bullet weights at higher velocity (~2,600 fps), resulting in roughly 2,400 foot‑pounds of energy and good penetration. For both cartridges, choose bonded or monolithic bullets designed for deep penetration.
ester Magnum. The .30/06, when loaded with a 180‑grain bullet at about 2,750 feet per second, produces around 3,000 foot‑pounds of energy. It is widely available and manageable for most shooters. The .300 Winchester Magnum takes a 190‑grain bullet to 3,100 fps and generates over 4,100 foot‑pounds of energy, making it effective on large black bears and adequate for grizzlies with proper bullets.
When hunting brown or grizzly bears, most guides recommend a cartridge in the .338 class or larger. The .338 Winchester Magnum firing a 250‑grain bullet at 2,700 fps produces more than 4,000 foot‑pounds of energy. The .375 Ruger goes even further, sending a 300‑grain bullet at over 2,600 fps and generating more than 4,600 foot‑pounds. These cartridges deliver enough momentum to break heavy bone and still reach the vitals, and their larger diameter bullets create wider wound channels. However, recoil is substantial; use a rifle with a good muzzle brake and practice extensively.
Sometimes a rifle isn’t the best tool for bear hunting. When hunting over bait or in extremely thick cover, a 12‑gauge shotgun loaded with slugs can be devastating. A typical 602‑grain rifled slug leaving the muzzle at 1,500 feet
ugs are larger in diameter than rifle bullets, they create significant tissue damage and energy transfer. A pump‑action shotgun offers rapid follow‑up shots; just ensure you practice at the ranges you expect to shoot.
When evaluating rifle calibers, remember that shot placement, bullet design and hunting conditions are just as important as the cartridge itself. A premium 165‑grain bullet from a .308 Winchester placed perfectly through both lungs will kill an elk faster than a poorly placed 250‑grain .338 Magnum. The guidelines below provide a starting point, but always match your rifle to your personal skill, hunting style and local regulations.
– Moderate recoil: .30/06 Springfield with 180–200 grain controlled‑expansion bullets.
– Lever‑gun fans: .45/70 Government with 300–405 grain bullets for shots under 150 yards.
– Modern mid‑bores: 7mm Remington Magnum or .280 Ackley Improved with premium bullets.
– Heavy magnums: .338 Winchester Magnum or .375 Ruger when hunting the biggest bulls or in bear country.
– All‑round: .30/06 Springfield with 180‑grain bullets; works to 300 yards and is easy to shoot.
– Long range: .300 Winchester Magnum or .300 PRC loaded with 180‑200 grain bullets; effective to 400 yards or more.
– Modern 6.5–7mm: 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, 7mm Remington Magnum and .280 Ackley; choose heavy, bonded bullets.
– Big bore: .338 Winchester Magnum for elk hunts in grizzly country.
Suggested Calibers for Bears
– Small‑medium black bears: .30‑30 Winchester or .308 Winchester with heavy controlled‑expansion bullets.
– Large black bears and mixed species: .30/06 Springfield or .300 Winchester Magnum.
– Brown/grizzly bears: .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 Ruger or a 12‑gauge slug.
Choosing the right rifle caliber for moose, elk and bear hunting isn’t simply about picking the biggest bullet; it’s about understanding the animals’ anatomy, the range you’ll be shooting, and your own ability to handle recoil and place shots accurately. Moose demand heavy, deep‑penetrating bullets to break massive bones and reach vital organs. Elk require a balance of energy and trajectory for shots that may stretch across open basins. Bears, particularly grizzlies, call for a cartridge that combines bone‑crushing power with controlled expansion to ensure a quick, ethical kill. In all cases, use high‑quality, bonded or monolithic bullets, practice until you can place shots confidently, and ensure your rifle is zeroed for the distances you expect. Whether you choose a time‑tested .30/06, a modern 6.8 Western or a thundering .375 Ruger, matching your caliber to the game and hunting conditions will lead to more enjoyable, successful and humane hunts.
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