6.5 CM for a once in a lifetime Oryx hunt. Give it to me straight

[TxxAgg]

I killed one with an arrow. Your gun will be plenty.

 

[Sled]

So you are saying a bullet that passes through with a small hole has less of a probability of hitting that small target as a bullet that expands and makes a wider wound channel. Right?

I don't think you understood what I was saying. The vitals are forward and a big thick bone with a lot of meat is right in front of them. I've shot a lot of game with frangible bullets. I prefer it for lung shots, which on North American game is pretty much hitting the broad side of the barn. If I'm forced to shoot at a leg bone I'd rather have a penetrating bonded projectile vs one that will likely expand too fast and maim.

Caliber to me is less important than placement with the correct projectile.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I don't think you understood what I was saying. The vitals are forward and a big thick bone with a lot of meat is right in front of them. I've shot a lot of game with frangible bullets. I prefer it for lung shots, which on North American game is pretty much hitting the broad side of the barn. If I'm forced to shoot at a leg bone I'd rather have a penetrating bonded projectile vs one that will likely expand too fast and maim.

Caliber to me is less important than placement with the correct projectile.

We shot 2 alaskan moose with a 280Ai and 168gr bergers. Complete pass throughs including the should blade on one.

 

[Sled]

We shot 2 alaskan moose with a 280Ai and 168gr bergers. Complete pass throughs including the should blade on one.

Did you hit the leg bone? Or lungs? The shoulder blade is much thinner than the leg bone.

 

[Sled]

I'm not interested in arguing. I'll say is there are a lot of options when it comes to calibers, cartridges and projectiles. Pick the correct combination for your intended purpose.

 

[gumbl3]

Get the biggest super magnum you can find that breaks shoulders (mainly yours) and that you shoot somewhere just outside minute of garbage can lid. Then you're sure to hopefully nick the spine and drop him straight down in a front leg flopping show, no way he can can crawl off from that before you get up to him for the finisher.

 

[LightFoot]

I killed one with an arrow. Your gun will be plenty.

I see this argument a lot. I don’t think you would be using your arrow at 150 yards. At archery distances, the CM, with a very stout bullet, is very capable. I don’t think comparing archery equipment to rifles is a fair argument.

I don’t think there is a doubt about whether it will work. The question seems to be more about optimal, not adequate.


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[JGRaider]

I've killed 11 of them in Namibia, and heard all about how "super tough" those African animals are. I've killed 50+ animals over there up through wildebeest sized game, and found that with the proper bullets that are put in the proper place, those animals die just as quick and easy as N American game animals. As far as vitals being further forward, that is true, but if you place one right behind the shoulder as is normal here, it will die no problem. The heart is definitely further forward and lower, but you don't have to pull off heart shots to take down an oryx. All of that nonsense is overblown and over-hyped. Good friend of mine has taken his son over there and they killed loads of the same class animals with a 7mm08 and partitions, accubond, and Barnes TTSX.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Did you hit the leg bone? Or lungs? The shoulder blade is much thinner than the leg bone.

Shoulder blade, but it would have made it through any bone. Moose 1: Shot behind the shoulder with the first shot, broke a rib on the way in, complete pass through. 2nd shot was unnecessary, but was a high shoulder, complete pass through, including the offsite shoulder blade. Have this one on video, legs came out from under him. Moose 2: First shot was straight on through the chest, next 4 were behind the shoulder after he turned. All were 4 were complete pass throughs with broken ribs.

Frankly I was shocked at the penetration. Those moose up in AK are freaking tanks. Vitals were all mush, super impressed. I got a lot of flack for my choice of bullets for this hunt in another thread. Glad I didn’t listen to the mono/bonded crowd.

 

[TxxAgg]

I see this argument a lot. I don’t think you would be using your arrow at 150 yards. At archery distances, the CM, with a very stout bullet, is very capable. I don’t think comparing archery equipment to rifles is a fair argument.

I don’t think there is a doubt about whether it will work. The question seems to be more about optimal, not adequate.


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My 6.5 creedmoor destroys more tissue at 150 yds than my bow does at 20 yds. I would have zero issues using it. Plus, the OP states he shoots his 6.5 very well. I would suggest that is optimal.

 

[dieselchessy]

Shoulder blade, but it would have made it through any bone. Moose 1: Shot behind the shoulder with the first shot, broke a rib on the way in, complete pass through. 2nd shot was unnecessary, but was a high shoulder, complete pass through, including the offsite shoulder blade. Have this one on video, legs came out from under him. Moose 2: First shot was straight on through the chest, next 4 were behind the shoulder after he turned. All were 4 were complete pass throughs with broken ribs.

Frankly I was shocked at the penetration. Those moose up in AK are freaking tanks. Vitals were all mush, super impressed. I got a lot of flack for my choice of bullets for this hunt in another thread. Glad I didn’t listen to the mono/bonded crowd.

5 or maybe 6 complete pass throughs on moose with Berger vld’s does sound shocking.

 

[jeffpg]

I worked in Africa for several years and I lost count on the number of Oryx that I killed & watched other hunters kill. Anything less than a perfect shot with the correct bullet will make you think they’re going to run forever, which they very well may.
My first Oryx actually fell on the White Sands missle range in New Mexico before I ever thought I’d hunt in Africa. I’d heard all about their toughness and was determined to make a statement with my 300 Remington Ultra Mag pushing 200 grain Nosler Accubonds. Failing to find a big bull, I slipped up to within 100 yards of a mature cow with 30 minutes left on my last day. Presented with a broadside target, I proceeded to place a round perfectly through both shoulders, just like you’re supposed to. I expected a huge bang flop, but instead the old cow just turned her head and stared at me. I won’t repeat what I said at that moment in my state of shock. She turned to stumble off on shakey legs and I dumped another one in her which ended it quickly. She was surely not going too far after the first shot but I learned right then and also several times afterwards just how much energy they can absorb with little visible effect.

I’ve no doubt that a little rifle can kill one, but I think you can probably guess what my suggestion would be.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

5 or maybe 6 complete pass throughs on moose with Berger vld’s does sound shocking.

I was expecting them to fragment, especially at the distances they were shot. Moose 1 was 50 yards and moose 2 was 100 yards.

 

[LightFoot]

My 6.5 creedmoor destroys more tissue at 150 yds than my bow does at 20 yds. I would have zero issues using it. Plus, the OP states he shoots his 6.5 very well. I would suggest that is optimal.

Enjoy your hunt.


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[Mike D Texas]

My 6.5 creedmoor destroys more tissue at 150 yds than my bow does at 20 yds. I would have zero issues using it. Plus, the OP states he shoots his 6.5 very well. I would suggest that is optimal.

Arrows don’t crush/destroy tissue, bullets do.

This is literally an apples and oranges comparison.

They kill in completely different manners.


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[TxxAgg]

Bullets and broadheads are designed to destroy tissue and then hemorraging and suffocation occurs. A bullet generally does it better and faster. So if an arrow works, a good bullet will work. That's all I've been getting at. The OP doesn't need a magnum. We have threads and threads about this on rokslide refuting all the old fuddisms.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

One oryx. 180 gr Partition x 300 wsm. Three shots.

A) 140 yds tripod >> Destroyed shoulder knuckle (not shoulder blade) >> oryx stumbles and takes off full speed. 150 yds tracking, tons of blood spit up (lung hit too). Found oryx bedded with head up looking around. Only sign of distress was being bedded and not running away. He looked kinda ticked off, actually.

B) 10 minutes later second shot broadside into heart zone from 15 yds. Head stays up. Probably only a lung hit. Convinced now that oryx don't need lungs.

C) Two minutes later 3rd shot from rear quarter. Heart hit. oryx head flops to ground. Then comes back up and looks around. Finally says good by.

I'm pretty sure that if you want bang-flop then you need a heart shot, which is a smaller target than a muley lung, and per link above there's a lot of bone in the way.

 

[WoodBow]

I did not read any of the other replies. Take a frontal shot and they will die very quickly. CM will work just fine. Personally I feel it is on the bottom end of the acceptable sprectrum for orxy but it will work. I would want to keep shot distances relatively close. I have hunted them off range and I did not find getting inside 100 yards to be any issue if you are willing to spend some time on your hands and knees. Your mileage may vary.

 

[matpc1]

Oryx are pretty thin-skinned but are still VERY tough animals. Still, they'll go down with small; light bullets if shot placement is perfect. I used a .270 WSM on mine - double lunged her and she went about 20 yds. I know folks that have taken them with 6.5s and I also know folks that lost some after they filled them with holes with a .300 Win Mag. I'd say use the most powerful you can shoot accurately and confidently and, more importantly use a good bullet.

 

[jeffpg]

I’ve killed a pile of them and the CM would not be my choice of cartridge with any bullet.
Step up to more power & bullet weight is my advice.