A powerful caliber for moose

When it comes to hunting the king of the forest, the vast majority of enthusiasts opt for a muscular rifle.

Normally, there is not much advantage in using a 10 or 12 gauge rifle to try to intercept one of these large mammals. Especially since there are not really specific periods as is the case for the muzzle-loading weapon, the bow and the crossbow. It must therefore be used at the same time as the rifle. On the other hand, an amateur with a limited budget or who is starting to practice the sampling activity and who only owns one rifle will be able to get by easily with the latter.

Exception

A large percentage of the 170,000 moose hunting license purchasers will participate, between now and January 15, in the traditional draws managed by Sépaq via the site www.sepaq.com/tirages, hoping to have the opportunity to hunt in one of the game-filled wildlife reserves. You will know your results by email by January 17, 2025.

Subsequently, if you have not been drawn, you will be able to participate in the second drawing from February 6 to 9, 2025.

Among the many packages offered, there are some reserved for nimrods using rifles and black powder weapons as hunting equipment.

What you need to know

Whether you opt for a 10 or 12 gauge rifle, the only ammunition authorized is single bullet, sabot cartridges, which many call “slugs”.

Although most rifles can shoot this type of shot, be aware that it is not ideal. Especially if you have a full choke. In addition to creating more pressure in the barrel and possibly even seeing it explode or deform in certain extreme cases, it will reduce the level of precision of the projected warhead.

In the range of traditional chokes, the user would benefit from using the cylindrical or improved cylindrical versions. For a small fee, you could even get yourself a Choke Express Sabot. Being rifled, it increases precision and gives it a rotation intended to stabilize the ball.

During a meeting with retailers, Stéphane Pelchat of Browning Canada presented three models of 12 gauge weapons with rifled barrels specially developed for slug shooting.

Accuracy

Mr. Pelchat has carried out numerous tests with these specialized weapons. He achieved satisfactory accuracy to within 3 inches at 100 yards with Remington’s 438g Accutip and Premier Expander sabot pellets. “The accuracy of shots can vary from one rifle to another. You have to take the time to master to know the limits of your weapon,” specifies the expert interviewed.

A pompous

The Super A raised cheek piece and a lower one allow perfect positioning of the cheek on the stock when it comes time to aim with the fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear sight. The spacer plates provide a shoulder that fits your size and the Inflex anti-recoil butt plate reduces backlash during shots. With an overall length of 43″, it is equipped with a 22″ rifled barrel with a 1.35″ rifling pitch. With a total weight of 7 lbs, it can hold three 3” cartridges in the magazine and a fourth in the chamber.

Suggested retail price: $835.

A semi-car

With its ergonomic synthetic stock with a rounded grip, it’s easy to lug the Winchester SX4 Cantilever Buck into the backcountry. As its name suggests, it is equipped with a Weaver-type rail to easily install a sighting device. You can also use the Truglo fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear sight to focus on the objective. This 7.5 lb semi-automatic cycles quickly thanks to the Active Valve gas system. It is completely adjustable to your body shape thanks to the stock spacers. Its 22″ rifled barrel has a 28″ pitch. Even with gloves on, you can deactivate the oversized bolt and fire 3” cartridges four times.

Suggested retail price: $1559.

High end

The hunter looking for a robust, efficient and quality semi-automatic rifle in this category should consider the Silver rifled Deer Ovix from Browning. With an overall length of 43″, it features a thick 22″ barrel with a 28″ rifling pitch. Its stock and handguard are easy to grip thanks to the textured gripping surfaces. Without a sight, a short 1×4 or 1×6 telescope is installed on the Weaver style Cantilever glasses frame. Its OVIX color literally blends into the forest. Weighing 7.5 lbs, it looks great with the 1.75″ slope at the bust and 2″ at the heel. Like the other models, it can hold a total of four 3” cartridges.

Suggested retail price: $2115.