Moose hunt choices
 

I am planning a moose hunt to Nova Scotia this fall and I am undecided as to what rifle I should take. I have 3 that would be good 'moose medicine' so lets hear your choice. My order of choice is as follows:

1: Ruger #1 - 405 WIN
2: Marlin Guide Gun - .45-70
3: Tikka T3 - 30-06

I handload so the loads for the above guns are not 'wimpy' loads. Both the .405 and .45-70 use 300 gr bullets and the '06 shoots 180s. I personally am leaning toward the .405. The only reason is because it is such a neat rifle even though it is a bit on the heavy side. The Marlin is short and light and would be my second choice.

of those 3 I'd say either the 30-06 or 45-70

maybe time to buy a 338mag? 375? 300mag?

leaning towards the '06 with a 180 grain premium bullet that's plenty enough to take a moose. next my choice would be the 45-70.

I don't want to sound like I'm debating your opinions but do you guys realize the .405 runs consistantly 200 fps faster than the .45-70 and delivers about 350 ftlb more energy from muzzle to 200 yds? The '06 might be a bit low in ME against the .405 but at 200 yds, the '06 beats it by over 300 ftlb.
As much as I like the .45-70 the .405 and the '06 are much more potent at a distance. At the muzzle, the '06 and .45-70 are pretty equal numbers wise but the .45 bullet has more frontal mass and weight which translates into better terminal performance at close range.
I am hoping my shots stay <100 yds.

if you think your shots will stay under 100 yards i would personally narrow it down to the 45-70 and the .405. from what it sounds like the .405 might hit a little harder. hope you have a successful hunt

I did not realize the .405 was that hot... perhaps that's the best of both worlds of those 3.

Actually guys, the .405 Win has been used sucessfully on cape buffalo for years. Teddy Roosevelt called it his "big medicine". And was used as recently as Craig Boddington's daughter for the big black critters. I think it will be a safe bet for moose and bear should I get a tag.

Personally, of the 3, I'm with you, I'd be looking at the big bores. Although I'd probably favor the repeater to the single shot, just for "one less thing to worry about". Having 5 shots of "Marlin Friendly" .45-70 fodder at quick avail is a pretty potent rifle for any purpose. The down side is that we DO lose a little MV in the Guide Gun. The upside for the .45-70 is that it IS pushing around 3,500ft.lbs., and under 200yrds, that big fat 45cal slug hits like a mack truck. The .45-70 actually has about the same Taylor KO Factor than the .405win (300grn at 2275 .45-70 = 43.8, 300grn at 2450 .405win = 43.2).

The .405win obviously has better downrange performance; better BC and higher MV, plus 6" more barrel sure doesn't hurt (except for weight). But as much as I LOVE the .405win (own one in a 1895, new model circa 2001), and as much as I love the Ruger No. 1 (have owned several, still hanging on to a few of them), I'm always still hard pressed to recommend single shots for "Special Hunts" that might be a once in a lifetime gig.

Frankly, if you're going on a hunting trip, especially away from home, you're taking two rifles anyway. I'd say take the No.1 AND the Guide Gun, then flip a coin on the plane.

Nomercy you're thinking along the same lines as I am. I love the big bores, especially the old timers. And the .45-70 and .405 Win make the 100+ year old '06 look like a youngin!

No offense to the .30-06, but for heavy game like Moose, having a little more stopping power is nice. The .405 and .45-70 are a big step up in energy over the .30-06, let alone in Taylor KO Factor. A .30-06 will be in the ballpark of 19-20 TKO factor, whereas the .405 and .45-70 are in the 40-45 TKO class...

You don't NEED 3500fps to shoot over 100yrds. Yes, it takes a little practice to reach down range with a 2000-2500fps bullet, but it WILL make it, and a 300-400grn pill still packs a heck of a lot of punch even if they're not moving very fast.