Need thoughts on 38-55 & 45-70 Cast Loads for Moose Hunt

[fishteach]

I drew a bull permit this year in Maine. I don't have any high velocity rifles (30-06, 308, 303, etc.), but I do have a couple of purdy Marlin Cowboy lever actions in 38-55 & 45-70. My wife is my sub-permitee and will be toting the 38-55 and I'll be carrying the 45-70. Since this is a chance in a life time hunt, I thought I'd get some advice from all of you. My current plan for the 38-55 is to use a .285gr gas checked bullet going somewhere near 2000 fps. My game plan for the 45-70 is a 400gr gas checked bullet going around 2000 fps as well. Both bullets have a brinell hardness of 15. Since it's a Maine hunt, any shot will likely be under 100 yards, so should I stick with my game plan or does someone have a better recommendation? What do you think? Thanks in advance.

[elk hunter]

Put a round from either through the engine room and I predict that you'll be enjoying moose meat. A large flat nose on your bullet will make a bigger hole and leave a better blood trail, should you need it, than a round nose design.

Let us know how you do on your hunt and post pictures.

Good luck!

[Marine Sgt 2111]

The 45-70 should be more than enough as well as the .38-55. Remember, every year hunters in Sweden kill hundreds of moose with a 6.5 x 55. Placement is everything!

[Old Goat Keeper]

I looked at my Lyman 49th and my Lee loading manuals. Your hardcast 400 grain 45-70 load is stretching what they advise. And a 285 grain boolit load at at 2000 fps in the 38-55 is way over what they advocate. Heck that is 375 Winchester range load! Yes either load propposed by you would drop a moose but both loaded to recommended levels have been also killling moose for over 100 years.

Tom who'd love to use his 375 Marlin on a moose

[Nrut]

fishteach,
I would be interested in hearing more about your 38-55/285gr load at 2000fps and how accurate it is..
Also what is your groove dia. and what size boolit are you using?..
Thanks

[dk17hmr]

Not use you will need that type of velocity with the 45-70. A good flat nose made with a 50/50 Pure/WW boolit at 1700 fps or so would more than do it I would think.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Moose have been taken with the 38-55 for well over 100 years with a case full of Black Powder and the 255 grainer.
So if you use the same boolit cast of 50-50 and push it to 1500 fps there is no dought you will have moose stew for Christmas. If you push it any faster you have a better thumper..
30 - 35 grains of 3031 will do all you need.

[fishteach]

Here is a picture with both bullets.

http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/fishteach/icture867.jpg

I now have my pick between the 38-55 & 45-70. My wife decided she wanted her own rifle, so she is getting a Mossberg 100ATR Super Bantam combo in .308 to match her Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20ga. She wanted a scope & I refused to put one on the 38-55. I'm am leaning towards the 38-55 because I really like the Marbles tang site with the Lyman globe front sight. That being said, the 38-55 bullet on the left is a Lyman 375449 and weighs in at 285 after adding gas check & lube & have a BHN of 15. The 45-70 bullet weighs in at 413gr after lube & gas check and has a BHN of 14.

[bigted]

experience has brought me to say that i think you are running too hot. the steam for the 100 yrd range is best at around 1600 in my humble opinion. this will and does every year harvest game way out and above the written MAGNUM scope of things. either of these great old cart will bring your moose to bait and the stew will make you smile everytime you open your mouth. invite over some friends to eat it with you and explain how it came to be on your table. good luck on your moose hunt. post here your pictures of the beast and the rifle that kilt it.

[home in oz]

I would go with the 45-70. And post the pictures later.

[Pepe Ray]

Fishteach;
Could it be that your wife decided on the .308 after she fired one of the 2000 fps -38-55 loads? That charge would bring tears to my eyes. Don't care who knows it.
My 38-55 moose loads don't go over 1650 fps. and they thump pretty darn good.
Good luck on the hunt.
Pepe Ray

[Just Duke]

How far away do you look to shoot your Moose? I can give you a less punishing load.