Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

When researching for my new rifle, I ran into an interesting study that was done in Sweden, Norway and Finland in 2004-2005 on the effect of gun caliber on moose. This study might be of interest to the readers of this forum, as I've noticed often the question: which caliber is the best. To my understanding this study is quite unique and it is still ongoing.

Moose hunters in the three Nordic countries were given forms to fill out on questions ranging from gun caliber to shooting distance to the distance the moose ran after being hit before falling down. Information about hit area was collected also. By the time the first report was written, 4,456 forms had been returned, 2,032 from Finland, 1,462 from Sweden and 962 from Norway. Of all forms distributed, Finnish hunters returned 34% filled, Swedes 15% and Norwegians 24%.

The first report as published in a Finnish hunting magazine can be found here:
http://epaper.mmd.net/riista/epagereader4.php?pgNum=6&issue=94
Unfortunately, I could not find an English version, but I'll translate the most interesting data.

On the first page, table 1. ("Taulukko 1.") shows the most common calibers in moose hunting in the different Nordic countries. "Suomi" is Finland, "Ruotsi" is Sweden and "Norja" is Norway. The number after each caliber is the percentage of hunters using that caliber. For instance, in Finland the most common caliber is the 308 Winchester with 53% of hunters using it. "Muut" means other.

On the second page, the first picture ("Kuva 1.) shows the average shooting distance (in meters) in the different countries. Hunters in Finland shot from the shortest distance and the Norwegians from the longest. This was attributed to the hunting terrain differences between the countries.

The second picture ("Kuva 2") is perhaps the most interesting showing the average running distance (in meters) of an adult moose as a function of the caliber after the first bullet has penetrated both lungs (from a broad side hit). This study shows that an adult moose runs the shortest distance when hit with a .458. Interestingly the moose runs the furthest after being hit with a .308 with 30-06 being just a tad more effective in killing power (hey, I am just the messenger, okay?).

The study notes that a hit to the central nervous system was equally effective bringing the moose down, regardless of caliber.

The study concludes that using the biggest caliber will result in fastest kill resulting in better tasting meat (the longer the moose runs the more adrenaline is released into muscles affecting the taste). However, the authors speculate that the smaller calibers are more popular due to the cost of the rifles and ammunition. The smaller calibers are probably also popular in no small part because of the less punishing recoil and thus more accurate shots.

Edit: To move back and forth between the pages, click on << Edellinen (Previous) or >> Seuraava (Next) at the bottom of each page.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

This is interesting...

One thing that I note is that, while bullet weights aren't given for each cartridge, it's the big and medium bores that result in the fastest kills, followed by small-bore cartridges that shoot bullets with typically high SD bullets (6.5mm and 7mm) with the standard velocity .30cal's at the bottom of the list. The .300 Mag and the 9.3mm are the oddballs, but one could reasonably assume that the 300 Mags were typically shooting heavier bullets than the standard velocity .30cal's, and the 9.3x62mm is the odd one out. I'm actually surprised it did as poorly as it did.

Seems to me to suggest that velocity isn't the holy grail of killing power, but rather that making a big hole is best, and if you can't make a big hole, it is better to make a deep one. Although, 75 or so meters isn't too bad when one considers the size of the animal in question.

I also find it interesting that such a relatively mild cartridge as the 6.5x55 Swede does so well compared to it's more powerful 7mm and 30cal cousins. I know the Europeans aren't as gunshy (pun intended) about loading the Swede to it's full potential and American manufacturers are, but it's still not a up to the velocity levels of most big game cartridges.

Interesting.

Mike

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Finnish, Swedes, Norwegians?Sounds like Minnesota.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Interesting study but I dont have the time to review all the data, even if it was in English.
I would like to see the data broken down by the total numbers of animals shot with each caliber plus the mean and median and distance traveled. Bullet type and weight would be nice to know also. IMO the total numbers of animals shot with each caliber is key. If only 2 were take with a 458 while 200 fell to a 308 then the 458 could be skewd by a lot of factors while the 308 numbers could be considered more representative.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Driftrider,

The authors noted also the odd behavior of the 9.3x62 and did not have a good explanation for the results. They thought the results might have been because of marginal hits at the edges of lungs or unfavorable bullet deformation.

Popeye,

I agree with you that the high number of .308's in the study will give you statistically different conclusions than just a few data points will. I did a quick calculation and found that 1,619 of the entries or about 36% was with a .308.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Moose are often not impressed no matter what they are hit with. They usually don't go far after a good hit but seldom drop at the shot. I have seen them well hit with 300 and 338 Win Mags without showing any signs of being hit.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Not surpised with the 6.5x55 Tons of moose are relaxed inScandinavia anually with this effective round.My favorite moose caliber here in Alberta Canada.Never recovered a 160gr Hornady handload yet.Sailed right on through both sides.42gr/IMR 4350/Fed mag primers.............Harold * when I lived in Eastern Canadalocals used 30-30,308,30-06 and .303 British [don't need a magnum as they didn't die any quicker whenI shot them with a .338]

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

"Moose are often not impressed no matter what they are hit with. They usually don't go far after a good hit but seldom drop at the shot. I have seen them well hit with 300 and 338 Win Mags without showing any signs of being hit."

From what I have seen, and heard from other hunters, this is the truth of the matter conerning moose. For example, I once knew a hunter in New Mexico who had been born and raised in Canada, where he hunted moose for many years with a pump-action rifle in .30 Remington caliber. That round has almost exactly the same ballistics as the .30/30. He used a 170-grain factory load. He had a favorite stump about 50 yards back in the brush from a logging road that the moose used. He would sit on the stump and wait for a moose to pass by, at which time he'd shoot it about halfway up the side, right behind the shoulder. One 170-grain bullet. Then he'd take out his pipe, fill it up, and sit there smoking for about half an hour or 45 minutes. Then he'd go after the moose, none of which ever went much over 50 yards from where they were shot. He never lost a moose, and said that most of them just walked off after the shot, rather than running. None ever dropped on the spot, either.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

From Nordica, the land of the 6.5x55....

No great surprise really....
Bigger tools work betterfor the bigger, tougher jobs.

RE: Effect of gun caliber on moose - Nordic study
 

Like I've been saying all along, "Shoot the biggest caliber you are completely comfortable, and confident in".
The bigger the gun, the less you have to track. The more humane as well.