I discovered that I was lucky in obtaining a NH moose permit for the 2011 season. I was picked for an either sex permit in zone I 1 which is between Rte 89 and 93 north of Concord. This zone had a success rate of 60% last season. I have my work cut out for me in the fact that I am not too familiar with this area.

I do have one small dilemna. What specialty handgun to use.

Should I use ...

1. My tried and true TC Contender Super 16 45-70.

2. My untried Encore pistol in 30-06.

3. Change the barrel to the 14" 375 JDJ.

4. Get another special barrel.

I would use either the 45-70 bl. or the 375 JDJ. Large heavy bullets should do a fine job on a moose.

Excellent! Congratulations! You have a very nice dilemma!

AWESOME and congratulations!!!

Any of the calibers you mentioned will work. They ALL have their limitations, just in different ways. My best recommendation is to pick which one Y-O-U want to hunt with and start hitting the range regularly!!!!!!!!!!

In addition, work on the close favored second at the same time and take it as a back up!

Duane

You have it covered with what you have, use the one you are most confident with and most of all have fun and good luck.

Congratulations on your moose permit and it sounds like you have a real good chance of succes.The 45-70 and a moose ought to make a great combination,best of luck.

BINGO!

Actually any of the options would suffice but this is a golden oportunity to JUSTIFY a new barrel. I know, 'justify' rings hollow in this hobby but WTH, use it when you can.

What distance do you expect to be shooting? Our moose habitat is thick and long shots are few. I bought my 480 Ruger SRH for these situations. A 10" 475 Linebaugh for the Encore, or custom 480 Ruger for the 'Tender (loaded with restraint) would make for nice packin' jungle pistols with 100+ yards if you need it. JMNSHO ;-)

Oh, and topped with an UltraDot MatchDot sight.

The .375 JDJ or .45-70 would be my choice.

This hunt will be tough in a number of respects. This part of NH is much more wooded and uncut compared to northern NH. As a rule one of the ways to hunt moose is to scout out clear cuts and then glass for them. Almost like hunting out West. In fact you can get shots more than 200 yards distant but further south it is not cut. This will be heavy woods hunting and that means ground pounding.

One strategy I do plan is to take a canoe scouting trip down one of the big rivers and see what is along the shoreline. Other than that I will have to find some swamps and scout around them looking. The season opens up October 15th thus it may be at the tail end of the rut. I may be able to call them in. I do know how to call moose. When I hunted in Maine an Indian friend taught me how to call in moose. Although when I practice in the living room the wife gets a bit testy on that for some reason.

Pre scout for sign, then call him into 45-70 range. Or better yet, have a trusted hunting partner do the calling while you deal with watching and shooting. Hunting moose alone is not kosher.

Having only taken one moose and it being with a rifle chambered in 9.3x62, I was impressed with the size and body mass of the animal. The 286gr Nosler Partition did a fine job. I would lean toward the 375 JDJ or the 45-70.

What about an Encore barrel in 35-06 JDJ?

bigbore,

I have to agree with Pasco. A moose, cow or bull, can get pretty honery and dangerous. They can close distance very rapidly. Also, with a bud, you can have them to the necessary pictures for this website! We ALL enjoy the tales from our members.

Doc

bigbore,

Just put on the "thinking" cap. Onery is the correct spelling. Can't believe I made that error.

Doc

One more time, Doc: ORNERY I think is what you are looking for.

No worries!

I would go with the 45-70 or the .375 JDJ.

The 45-70 or either a 200gr or 220gr partition in the 30-06...