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#88409 - 06/19/11 10:53 PM

454 moose hunt

yosey12
stranger

Registered: 12/17/09
Posts: 3

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Just won the Maine moose lottery, actually my buddy did and I'm the sub-permittee.I want to take my FA 454 and I am looking for a good hand load for this.I load for 6.5 JDJ,45-70,375JDJ,and 44 mag.I'm just getting started with the 454 and would like some input.Thanks.

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#88411 - 06/20/11 06:43 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: yosey12]

mikefrompa
old hand

Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 793
Loc: Pennsylvania

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Congratulations yosey! I would use at least a 300 gr. bullet like the Nosler Partition or the new bullet from Barnes, the Barnesbuster,,,I think it's called. It'a a 300 or a 325 gr. solid copper bullet which has almost no expansion to it. Sounds like it would do a good job on a moose. Good luck and good hunting.

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#88417 - 06/20/11 08:39 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: mikefrompa]

wyote
enthusiast

Registered: 03/09/05
Posts: 339
Loc: NW Wyoming

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When I drew a moose permit here in WY. I used a 335 gr LFNGC LBT bullet with a heavy load of H 110 in my FA 454.

I prefer a bullet with a bit more meplat but it worked very well on the moose I got.

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#88418 - 06/20/11 09:06 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: mikefrompa]

Whitworth
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Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 4452
Loc: Virginia

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Originally Posted By: mikefrompa

The Barnes Buster has a lead core and a small meplat -- a bit too small for my taste. It's a nod to lever action rifles, I believe, to aid in feeding. That said, it is still one deeply penetratiung bullet.

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#88419 - 06/20/11 09:38 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: Whitworth]

Mikewin
enthusiast

Registered: 04/01/08
Posts: 343
Loc: Stockholm, Sweden

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For tough bulls, consider the Belt Mountain "Punch" bullet. It is made of brass with a lead core. Penetrates more than all other bullets I've tested. You could easily use a .44 mag on moose with this bullet.

In a .454, it is probably overkill for moose, though, so a good, heavy cast bullet at 300+gr would do the job as well (at a third of the price). I agree with Whitworth regarding the meplat issue.

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#88420 - 06/20/11 09:47 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: Whitworth]

Bud Rummel
member

Registered: 06/15/11
Posts: 151
Loc: Delaware/Zimbabwe

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congratulations! Moose, although are large in body size, they are pretty easy to put down. I have shot two Alaskan Moose with a handgun. One with a 44 mag and one with a 45 mag. Any good hard core constructed bullet will work. One warning, try not to take a front on chest shot. Moose have a lot of fat stored in their chest that makes it very difficult for bullet to pass through into the vitals. Good Luck! Except to see pictures this fall.

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#88421 - 06/20/11 10:08 AM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: Bud Rummel]

johnwilliams
Gun Slinger

Registered: 01/03/10
Posts: 2984
Loc: illinois

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Ditto on what Whit said...

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#88428 - 06/20/11 12:41 PM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: johnwilliams]

TCTex.
Shootist

Registered: 09/01/07
Posts: 6243
Loc: Texas!!!

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Another vote for the 300 cast!

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#88478 - 06/21/11 05:32 PM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: TCTex.]

pab1
Gun Slinger

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 2895
Loc: SW Montana

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Congrats on the draw! 300 gr Sierras are an excellent .454 bullet. They are pretty hard but will give some expansion on close shots and act like a hardcast on longer shots. They give deep penetration and are very accurate in all of my .454s.

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#88611 - 06/25/11 06:10 PM

Re: 454 moose hunt [Re: pab1]

jamesfromjersey
Shooting Master

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 3727
Loc: New Jersey

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When Freedom Arms sold loaded ammo I used their 260gr JFP cartridge in my 454 to take a Shiras moose at 60yds. He quartered away and the bullet took out the heart and stopped under the offside skin. If I was to do it over I would use the same bullet but in 300grs.....Best of luck.

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