Hunting & Fishing Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

[jmb1911]

I was informed yesterday that one of my friends has access to some Oryx tags.

I wondered if I should take/recommend a magnum (which I have and he doesn't, mine is a .338 WM) or would a .308 loaded heavy do the trick with shot placement?

He is looking for an excuse to get into a mag, but if his .308 will work, what are your suggestions?

Thanks-

 

[psinclair]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

.308 is plenty enough to get the job done...especially if you shoot it well.

 

[Muskox]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

Killed 3 of them in Namibia, plus 2 hartbeest, a kudu, and a mountain zebra. 308 will work fine.

 

[metal2meat]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

I have two friends that took their young sons on oryx hunts here in NM. The boys were about 11 and 12 years old and they both harvested nice oryx bulls with .243win's. 308 ought to be fine, but this is a great excuse to get something new!

 

[jmb1911]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

Fantastic.

Thank you for the replies gentlemen.

 

[Muskox]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

Honestly though even though I have shot most of the big game animals in my life with a 308, the 338 leaves a lot less room for error.

You might also note that oryx (and most other African antelope) hold their heart between their front shoulders.

I like to spine them, but everyone is different.

Most African hunters put Oryx as the 2nd toughest animal on the planet after Buffalo. I have no experience with African buffalo, but I will tell you that a zebra is tough!

 

[dirkreader]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

They are tough for sure, but a .308 should do fine. My brother has killed three of them in NM and he used a .300 WM. Enjoy the hunt, they make a great trophy!

I've posted this picture before. We saw these coming back from Las Cruces two years ago. They were about 15 yards away on the other side of the Missile Range Fence.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

Bigger is better, not sure how the North Am. ones are but was told their African cousins can be quite potentially dangerous when injured.
.
Of course make the shot count but just something to keep in mind. An they are quite tasty as well.

 

[Shatuponthee]

Re: Oryx with .308 or Magnum (which one?)

They can be resilient animals go big, those tags are expensive depending where you are hunting (instate or out) and if you are doing it on a military reservation thats a once in a lifetime deal. If it is a depredation permit, I still would not leave anything to chance. Not only that they are good ot eat and make a pretty shoulder mount.