Please forgive me if this is a stupid question. I'm new here and I've never had any experience with anything larger that Whitetail Deer. I'll be going on a hunt here in Texas where I may have a chance to take a Gemsbok. This will be the largest species I'll have opportunity on so I want to be loaded for that. Anything else will be more than covered. My question is, will a good SP (specifically Sellier&Bellot) be enough? I don't reload for this caliber yet and the only other decent factory load (that I'm aware of) is Norma. At $35.00US/box it's a little pricey for me. I know there are other calibers that go for several times that and it's a small price to pay for ensuring a quick kill but I'm working with a very limited budget right now. I will be shooting a Mauser in 8x57. Thanks in advance.

The first thought is that the price of a good bullet is a small cost indeed when taking a shot at an animal

The second consideration is that a Gemsbuck is one tough beasty. Hit him badly or with a bad bullet, and he might just keep you busy for the rest of the day (or the week, for that matter)

Thirdly - the 8x57 (with a good bullet) is more than enough medicine for any Gemsbuck

My opinion, for what it's worth

You'll be adequately gunned, but practice as much as possible. Gemsbok, like everything else, can be an easy kill if the first shot is placed well...blow that first shot and get your running shoes on!

Here isw a link to my experience hunting gemsbok on Ft Bliss.



http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=813915&Forum=,,All_Forums,,&Words=&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Main=813915&Search=true&where=&Name=12419&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post813915



They are extremely tough to say the least. Dont skimp on the ammo. Most definately use a premium bullet. The S&B just wont do the job. The Norma 8x57 loaded with the Oryx bullet would be outstanding. $35 a box may seem steep but it is a very small price to pay for releiable performance and a swift clean kill.



Another option is to get a friend to load up some Partitions for you.



Use your 8x57 with good bullets and you will be exceptionaly happy with it.



Best of luck to you.

You have a PM

The 8x57 as loaded in the USA is about the equivelent of a 30-30 Win. Mostly because of the many inferior rifles available for that caliber it seems...

I don't consider that a Gemsbok caliber, although you can kill one with it if your within 100 yards and place that bullet in the right spot....

I would have someone load me up some good rounds that would put the 8x57 up in the 30-06 class. Properly loaded it is an excellent caliber.

The best solution to an 8x57 is to rechamber it to a 8mm-06 and reload for it...

I guess I'll never understand...

I used to run a hunting club. Cost $2000 to join. Another $400 a year dues. Hunts for small game (dove & stuff) ran $60 for a half day.

Had to turn 'em away on opening day of dove season.

And about half of the sports showed up with $2.98 a box promotional shotgun shells - and went home at the end of the weekend bitching about how few birds they shot.

Repeat after me - AMMO is the cheapest part of any hunt.

Those S&B loads that BFaucett quoted sure will hammer a Gemsbok or about anything else....That beats the 06 and the 180 gr. bullet, by a good bit.

I believe the 8x57-196gr. SPCE will be fine for Gemsbok. I've used the 173gr. 7x57 S&B load for Sika, Axis, Dall sheep and Whitetail with excellent results. In particular I hit the Sika at 165 yards, bullet went directly through both shoulders and put him down instantly. All others have been heart/lung shots and the animals never moved more than about 20 yards. All have been full penetration and large exit wounds.

It doesn't matter what gun or ammo you use. The fence will keep it from getting away.


Seriously, assuming a rifle in good condition, sturdy bullets, and a calm, capable shooter, you should be fine.

Aiming for the shoulders would be the recommended shot if you were using premium bullets like Partitions, Swifts, TUGs, etc., but if those are standard bullets in the S&B ammo, go for a double-lung shot. The gemmie will run a ways, but it will go down.

George

It's all about bullet placement! Practice shooting off of sticks with the cheapest ammo you can buy, then before the hunt buy premium ammo, sight your rifle in with it, and go get a monster. Pictures please!

I used a 9.3x64 on my gemsbok this past September. 286gr Partition over 71gr of H4350. At 200yds, broadside, the bullet was recovered just under the off side hide. On the kudu, the same load at approximately the same distance, blew right through. Very tough critter the gemsbok.

Don't stay at home just because you won't have the 'ultimate' rig. When I was an adolescent I took the only rifle I had, a Sako 308 and at 150yds took a gemsbok diagonally quartering on. It ran at least 1000yds before slowing down for a finishing shot. The 150gr Norma soft point was recovered perfectly expanded under the skin of the opposite hind quarter. Perfect ballistic performance(for a mundane traditional bullet), but unsatisfactory result. The only lesson I learnt is that either the heart or both lungs should be hit for optimum results on animals this size. Happy hunting! Charlie.

I used a .280 on mine with 150 gr Nosler Partitions. One shot in the lungs at 125 yds did it. Nearly anything will do if you hit him/her in the right spot.