I was lucky enough to draw a tag for an oryx hunt in my home state of New Mexico.

Quick background: I have hunted all my life, but little big game as we have to draw in New Mexico and I usually just bird hunt. I know how to shoot a rifle, but guys are telling me to get "comfortable" at 400-500 yards for an oryx. I shoot a 223 T3 regularly for target practice, but usually out to 200 yard or so.

Question: My father has a 9.3 X 6.2 that is obviously enough gun...but the gun is a "little" intimidating...especially as I feel I need to shoot alot to be "comfortable" at 400-500 yards. Should I consider purchasing a more "all-around" caliber (30-06?) that I would enjoy shooting more often?

Thanks for suggestions.

Your description of the rifle as "intimidating" should answer your question.

Get the 30.06. Or, a 7mm mag. You won't need anything else for the US outside of brown bear.

I agree with nkonka that a 30-06 or 7mm rem mag would be perfect. A 300 win mag is also great.

I also think that getting comfortable with a 400-500 shot is a ridiculous suggestion. Very few of us can shoot comfortably at that distance under hunting conditions. i certainly can't. I suggest shooting at distances up to 300 yards.

If you have a weapon to hunt mule deer, you have the weapon to hunt oryx. Any of the calibers mentioned will work. Mine is .300 WSM and 150 gr. bullets. At 250 yards it's one in the lungs, short run, dead bull. Be a hunter and you should be able to get within 300 yards. It will take some effort, and that is the fun of it.

As stated above, anything in the 7-08 to .300 Win Mag (or WSM) will work fine. (After posting this I thought about it some more and think a .270 would be perfect, low recoil and kills well) Use good bullets, such as Nosler Partitions, Barnes, or Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and you're good to go. Oryz are not really tough, but they have a relatively small lung area. They're kind of like hogs, or most game, hit them well and they don't go far, hit them poorly and you're in for a long day or three trying to find them. Hold very tight on or no more than 3 inches behind the shoulder. Keep you shots low on or on the point of the shoulder if at all possible. Personally, I'd sight in about 2 to 3 inches high at 200 and you'll be real close up to 300 depending on what caliber and bullet wt you're using.

GET A GUN YOU'RE COMFORTABLE SHOOTING AND SHOOT IT A LOT, all in all, considering everything you've posted, I think a .270 might be ideal for you, consider using bipods or sticks.

I would look at the 280 instead of a 270. Better selection of bullets.

I would agree with most that anything in the 270 - 30.06 range will work well. There is no need for the 9.3x62, especially if you don't shoot it well.

Planning on 400-500 yard shots is poor practice. You should most likely limit yourself to 300 yards or less. Getting within 200 yards of an oryx in NM shouldn't be a problem. Get a gun you are comfortable shooting, then stalk within easy shooting distance and you will have a great hunt.

Bill

I shot one off base a couple of months ago. It was offhand (no time for sticks), 30/.06 with a 180gr Nosler Partition, 225 yards. That country is very open, so be prepared to shoot at 300 yards but try and sneak closer rather than shoot that far.

I just drew a once-in-a-lifetime, on base tag as well, and am probably getting the same correspondence that you are. Based on what Fish and Game is saying, it sounds like the herds are fewer and harder to find, so it will some work to get close.

I did find a herd with some nice bulls after I shot the cow I took. I stopped to take a picture and the whole herd took off fast. They were very effective about keeping small rises and the available vegetation between us as I tried to take the picture. It appears that a vehicle stopping makes them very spooky.

Also, there is a lot of yucca out there with long, narrow stalks. Where there are two yucca with stalks side by side, they look a good bit like a bedded oryx when you are glassing.

Good Luck!

My wife has killed two with a .257 Roberts, so I see no reason to get punished by a rifle you think is intimidating. I've seen them killed quite well with a .270 and a .30-06, so I would recommend either of those cartridges should you opt for a new rifle.

I've had the opportunity to go along on a number of oryx hunts on the Missile Range and would be happy to provide further information if you think it would be helpful. Just shoot me a PM if you want.

Good luck!

thanks all for the suggestions...everyone seems to agree as I thought .270 to 30-06

the next question is Rem 700, Savage, or T3

Winchester pre64 Model 70, of course!

Pancho, if you check back on this thread, hit your PMs too. I sent you one a while back...

DesertRam,
PM sent

I got lucky on my once-in-a-lifetime and took a mature 36" male at 300 yards with only a few minutes left to hunt. Rifle was 300 H&H with 200 gr A Frames. Bull went down at the shot but I spined him hitting him high.

the "hunt" was a hoot and I recommend it to everyone. FWIW I drew on my first application but count my blessings everytime I read about those who apply diligently every year.

Buy any of the short magnums, 270,300,325. Buy something with resale valve if you ever have to sell it. My daughters both shoot a 270 wsm with 130 gr. noslers and have taken deer,elk,anteolpe,fur,etc.. all with one shot kills. I myself love the .338 mag. Take a nice one.Oryx can take alot of punishment.....


www.african-montana-taxidermy.com

quote:

Originally posted by bgnm2009:
thanks all for the suggestions...everyone seems to agree as I thought .270 to 30-06

the next question is Rem 700, Savage, or T3

For years I shot a Savage 110 30.06 and with the exception of a custom built .300 Win Mag, those off the shelf Savages outshot any rifle I owned.

A friend of mine recently acquired a Savage 7mm08. I was VERY impressed with not only the accuracy, but the AccuTrigger is quite nice.

The fact that the Savage rifles cost less than Remington or Tikka's is nice as you can afford to spend more for optics.

In your situation, here's what I would consider. While it's not the sexy new short mag, or a .500 SuperHemiLoudenBoomer, it will get the job done.

Go get yourself a Savage rifle, chambered in boring old 30-06, topped with a quality 2x7 or 3x9 scope. Then try several brands of ammunition and find out which brand shoots the best from YOUR rifle. Oryx can take a pounding, so look at 180 grain AccuBond or partition style bullets, something designed to be tough and penetrate well.

36" cow I got on the Range. .300 WM with a 180gr Accubond. Shot it behind the shoulder. It ran off and stopped. Shot it again and she stumbled down.

MAKE SURE YOU SHOOT THEM DIRECTLY IN THE FRONT SHOULDER. Draw a line right up the front leg and shoot at that point. If you shoot them behind the shoulder, you will not hit any vitals. This is African game and the vitals are tucked up in front RIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO SHOULDER BONES.

Do not shoot them like you are accustomed to with North American game; Elk, deer, etc.

My buddy shot a 39" cow with the same bullet in his '06 that ran off, never to be seen again. He hit it too far back............

I drew a tag in 1999. I used a .280 on my oryx (35" female). One shot in the shoulder as per the instructions from the officers running the hunt. If I did it again, I would use a .300 win mag or something similar. They can tag a wallop and still run.

It is a great hunt, lots of fun. You will see a bunch of oryx. Take your time and savor the once in a lifetime experience.

Shot placement #1. I've used a .280 on many large African animals including Gemsbok. 160 gr Grand Slams or Nosler Accubond. One shot kills even on Wildebeest. I would guess depending upon available cover, your shots will average 200-300 yards. Unless your proficient at further ranges, try to get closer or pass. As mentioned, try for the shoulder shot. Even a marginal shot will take out the lungs but hopefully break the shoulder and damage heart/lungs. Good luck on your hunt, LDK

Nice oryx there R. That'll be some fine eating for sure.

Thanks DR,

I've noticed on the last 3 I've shot that the backstrap is tougher than shoe leather. I have been cutting steaks from the hind quarters and they are much more tender.

I have no idea why.

I have noticed that oryx I've eaten in the past 3 years or so are markedly tougher all around than what I recall from 4+ years ago. I don't know why that would be, and my sample (a dozen animals or so) is hardly statistically valid, but there seems to be some correlation. I'd speculate, but it'd be wrong.

Sorry to take the thread in this direction, but while we're talking about it, I'm really not a fan of Oryx meat. Besides being tough, it really is flavorless. I much prefer elk, deer, and antelope.

I really take care of my game, getting them cold ASAP after they're down. Skinned immediately and on ice, boned out if possible. I think that care is what makes the deer and such taste so good. A lot of people complain of "gaminess" or strong game flavor and it's because they actually let the animal spoil before it's cool. Maybe I need to let my Oryx "spoil" a little next time!

I hunt religiously with a custom made Remington Model 7, .257 Roberts with a manlicher stock. Its my go to rifle. I've hunted with a .257 Roberts for the majority of my lifetime and love it.

I've never hunted Oryx, but I have taken down some very big whitetails with it as well as a few 200+ lb boars. I love it because it is a very steady gun and doesn't have a lot of recoil. If you have a problem with recoil and a gun being too big for you, then I would highly recommend a 257.

I will tell you this though. If you buy factory loads for a .257 Roberts, stay away from the 117 grain bullets.

I buy the Federal Premium 120 grain Nosler Partition Vital Shok bullets. In my opinion, they are FAR FAR superior than all other factory loads for 257 Roberts. This is based on 20 years of experience shooting various factory loads for it.

The biggest beef with the .257 Roberts, is that there aren;t a lot of good factory loads, so if you don;t know someone who can do your own handloads, then you need to find a factory load and buy enough of it to last. I personally think the Federal Premium 120 grain Nosler Partition Vital Shok are the best factory made bullets for a .257 if it is going to be used on big game.

I would feel very comfortable shooting an Oryx with my .257. That said, I would choose my .270 WSM to my .257 solely because it is more powerful. But again, if bigger cartridges don't shoot as smooth for you because they are intimidating, then feel comfortable with a .257 Roberts. I've had friends and one guide in particular call my .257 a "pee shooter", but I always prove them wrong. The biggest strength with a .257 roberts compared to any other rifle I own, is that my shot placement is very consistent and deadly accurate. Probably because I am not intimidated with the gun at all. Most people who have shot it will tell you the same thing.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Sorry to take the thread in this direction, but while we're talking about it, I'm really not a fan of Oryx meat. Besides being tough, it really is flavorless. I much prefer elk, deer, and antelope.

I really take care of my game, getting them cold ASAP after they're down. Skinned immediately and on ice, boned out if possible. I think that care is what makes the deer and such taste so good. A lot of people complain of "gaminess" or strong game flavor and it's because they actually let the animal spoil before it's cool. Maybe I need to let my Oryx "spoil" a little next time!

Usually because of the heat down here we process oryx pretty quickly, so I wonder the same thing. I'm not an advocate of long hanging times for anything, though I do prefer to hang a critter long enough for rigor mortis to set in and relax, thus ensuring that the muscle fibers don't contract and stay that way. If I can't hang it, I at least like to leave some bone so the muscles can relax after rigor eases up. I think this aids greatly in ensuring tender cuts. The few times I've had to bone a critter out before the rigor cycle was completed I ended up with meat tougher than I thought it should be. Maybe it's all in my head. However, if conditions permit, I like to hang a critter for a day or so before processing. If it's real cold, I'll go longer, but not usually (frequently don't have the time or adequate facilities).

quote:

I would feel very comfortable shooting an Oryx with my .257. That said, I would choose my .270 WSM to my .257 solely because it is more powerful

If you use your .257 Bob, you better load a Barnes bullet and shoot them right in the shoulder at under 250 yards. You won't believe how heavy the bones are on these animals. They're tough, strong SOB's..........

Yep, my wife has shot two with a .257 Roberts. Despite the fact that both died, I still recommned a larger cartridge when asked. Sub-.27s work, but I think one is far better served by something with a bit more power for these beasts, particularly if one is not accustomed to shooting African game. I've killed one with a .300 Win and one with a .338 Win and didn't feel overgunned either time. But if you're confident in your rifle, and are willing to pass on iffy shots, then smaller cartridges will certainly get the job done.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:


If you use your .257 Bob, you better load a Barnes bullet and shoot them right in the shoulder at under 250 yards....

I am not a fan of what Barnes offers in the 257 Roberts.

I've been thinking about your wanting to use the .257 for Oryx, and it's not wise unless you are going to shoot them in the head.

Like the two previous posts say as well........


The one my buddy lost was first shot at 80 yards, tracked and spotted then shot at 110 yards again only to never be recovered. He was shooting a 30-06 with the 180 gr. Accubond.

Like one of the poster's signature here on the Forums...."Use enough Gun"!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
I've been thinking about your wanting to use the .257 for Oryx, and it's not wise unless you are going to shoot them in the head.

Like the two previous posts say as well........


The one my buddy lost was first shot at 80 yards, tracked and spotted then shot at 110 yards again only to never be recovered. He was shooting a 30-06 with the 180 gr. Accubond.

Like one of the poster's signature here on the Forums...."Use enough Gun"!!!!!!!!!

I agree, the .257 might not quite cut it.

The gemsbok I shot was with a .300 Win Mag and Nosler 180 gr. AccuBonds and it took two shots inside of 80 yards to dump the bugger! And before you claim poor shot placement, the first was quartering into the lung area and the second was directly through the shoulders, which is what anchored him.