Oryx questions (off range)

[chiquitogringito]

Hello,

I am a new hunter and took a nice mature mule deer buck last year on my first hunt. A friend has a private ranch with an available oryx tag. What luck! And I want to make sure I am ready if/when the opportunity arises. I have read every oryx post I can find online but still have a few questions for those with experience.

What time of year is best to hunt these animals? Is there any advantage to going dur a certain month over other months? I have a Browning X-Bolt Pro in 6.5 Creedmoor. It did the job with my mule deer at 200 yards. Will this rifle be enough to take down an oryx? I love my rifle and I am very accurate with it. I am really hoping I don't need to get a new/bigger rifle for this hunt. I know ammo selection and shot placement will be very important. What sort of ammo for my 6.5 CM would be ideal for this animal?

Any other oryx tips for a newbie would be much appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

[wildwilderness]

Oryx/Gemsbok will be a lot tougher animal than mule deer. That said a shot in the vitals (more forward and lower) will kill them just like anything else.

The 6.5 CM will be fine in the right spot and at reasonable distance. I would recommend a bonded or all copper bullet though. Just keep shooting til it’s down!

As to when, the best time is when they are on the Private! Both male and female have horns so it can be difficult to tell.

 

[Seamaster]

Female oryx have long, thin, and slightly curved horns. The horns on bulls are thicker and straighter, but often shorter than some females.

I have taken a few gemsbok (oryx) in different countries in Africa using a 280 Rem with 160 grain Accubond bullets. Your choice of cartridge is slightly on the light side, but if you hit them right they are not that tough. Use a heavy bullet. Just make absolutely certain that they are dead before approaching. Those horns are not just for decoration.

 

[wildwilderness]

Here are some gemsbok- only 1 male. Look for the penis sheath, like caribou (the end is the best part )

 

[180ls1]

Just keep shooting til it’s down!

This is sage advice for more than just Oryx...

I didn't pay attention to it until I learned the hard way.

 

[Seamaster]

Here are some gemsbok- only 1 male. Look for the penis sheath, like caribou (the end is the best part )

Was that filmed at a zoo, or a South African shooting farm?

 

[wildwilderness]

.

 

[wildwilderness]

Was that filmed at a zoo, or a South African shooting farm?

SA farm, a lot bigger than many Texas shooting ranches . It is what it is, the Animals sure are neat

 

[LightFoot]

I shot my Oryx with a 340 WBY and 225 Accubond. It was a spot & stalk with a ~75 yard shot off sticks. Recovered the bullet on the off-side shoulder. Bull ran less than 50 yards.
All that to say, they are tough. 6.5 will do the job. Like an earlier post, use a copper bullet or Partition-style bullet.

I would not take the chance on a 6.5 Creedmoor on an Oryx. You can get a sub-moa rifle and scope for under $1K. (Think ruger american + leupold freedom)

Find 4x boxes of 300 Win, 7mm Rem, etc.
Then buy rifle to fit. Stick with elk-optimal projectiles like Partition, TSX/TTSX, GMX, Accubond, Terminal Ascent, etc. Go heavy for caliber.

Bottom line: oryx rifle = elk rifle

BTW oryx meat is outstanding!

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Doghed]

Does your friend have experience hunting Oryx on his land?

No I don't think there is a best time of year to hunt Oryx in New Mexico.
The text below is from the New Mexico game proclamation.

Private-land Hunts (These are not Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunts)
Private-land oryx licenses are valid only on deeded private land. Hunters must possess written permission from the landowner. Private-land oryx licenses must correspond to the hunt dates, eligibility requirements/restrictions, sporting arm type and bag limits listed for the statewide, off-range hunts listed on page 102.

Your private land tag may have specific hunt dates attached.

If you've read everything you can find on hunting Oryx then you probably already know your rifle isn't ideal for the task. Use the heaviest hunting bullet you can, study up on anatomy, and even with a perfect shot, be ready for tracking and follow ups.

 

[Jimss]

Where is your buddies land? If it’s adjacent to the on-range hunt sites it may be good timing to go immediately after those hunts because oryx may have been pushed off? Also does your buddy have water? If so oryx may wonder there when hot and dry?

 

[chiquitogringito]

Oryx/Gemsbok will be a lot tougher animal than mule deer. That said a shot in the vitals (more forward and lower) will kill them just like anything else.

The 6.5 CM will be fine in the right spot and at reasonable distance. I would recommend a bonded or all copper bullet though. Just keep shooting til it’s down!

As to when, the best time is when they are on the Private! Both male and female have horns so it can be difficult to tell.

Oryx/Gemsbok will be a lot tougher animal than mule deer. That said a shot in the vitals (more forward and lower) will kill them just like anything else.

The 6.5 CM will be fine in the right spot and at reasonable distance. I would recommend a bonded or all copper bullet though. Just keep shooting til it’s down!

As to when, the best time is when they are on the Private! Both male and female have horns so it can be difficult to tell.

Thanks for your reply! I've been using Berger Elite Hunter 156 grain brass cased rounds. Might look for something heavier though. Definitely keep shooting till it's down!

 

[chiquitogringito]

I shot my Oryx with a 340 WBY and 225 Accubond. It was a spot & stalk with a ~75 yard shot off sticks. Recovered the bullet on the off-side shoulder. Bull ran less than 50 yards.
All that to say, they are tough. 6.5 will do the job. Like an earlier post, use a copper bullet or Partition-style bullet.

I would not take the chance on a 6.5 Creedmoor on an Oryx. You can get a sub-moa rifle and scope for under $1K. (Think ruger american + leupold freedom)

Find 4x boxes of 300 Win, 7mm Rem, etc.
Then buy rifle to fit. Stick with elk-optimal projectiles like Partition, TSX/TTSX, GMX, Accubond, Terminal Ascent, etc. Go heavy for caliber.

Bottom line: oryx rifle = elk rifle

BTW oryx meat is outstanding!

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info! Awesome photos. I am considering getting a new rifle for the job and maybe swapping my scope for the hunt. Of the calibers you mentioned which one do you think kicks the least? I am still new to shooting and hunting and am kind of recoil adverse haha. I know that sounds lame. My 6.5 barely kicks with the muzzle break and I love that. But, I am open to getting a new rifle for this as I do not want to botch this opportunity. What would you consider the ideal caliber for me, given I want something big enough for oryx but not crazy recoil that will scare the hell out of me.

Thank you!!!

 

[chiquitogringito]

Does your friend have experience hunting Oryx on his land?

No I don't think there is a best time of year to hunt Oryx in New Mexico.
The text below is from the New Mexico game proclamation.

Private-land Hunts (These are not Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunts)
Private-land oryx licenses are valid only on deeded private land. Hunters must possess written permission from the landowner. Private-land oryx licenses must correspond to the hunt dates, eligibility requirements/restrictions, sporting arm type and bag limits listed for the statewide, off-range hunts listed on page 102.

Your private land tag may have specific hunt dates attached.

If you've read everything you can find on hunting Oryx then you probably already know your rifle isn't ideal for the task. Use the heaviest hunting bullet you can, study up on anatomy, and even with a perfect shot, be ready for tracking and follow ups.

He has taken one oryx before, so not a ton of experience, but better than nothing. Ive been shooting Berger 156 grain brass cased rounds in my 6.5. Think those would be ok?

What would you consider the ideal caliber for hunting Oryx. I am spoiled by my 6.5 CM and the muzzle break. It barely kicks and I love that. Any recommendations for bigger rifle that would do job and not kick too crazy?

Thank you so much for your insight!

 

[LightFoot]

Thanks for the info! Awesome photos. I am considering getting a new rifle for the job and maybe swapping my scope for the hunt. Of the calibers you mentioned which one do you think kicks the least? I am still new to shooting and hunting and am kind of recoil adverse haha. I know that sounds lame. My 6.5 barely kicks with the muzzle break and I love that. But, I am open to getting a new rifle for this as I do not want to botch this opportunity. What would you consider the ideal caliber for me, given I want something big enough for oryx but not crazy recoil that will scare the hell out of me.

Thank you!!!

Either with a brake. I use a brake on my 340 Wby.

Not exactly budget rifles but the following come with cerakote and a brake:

Browning Hell's Canyon Speed
Tikka T3X Wideland (or Alpine) Veil

I think Bergara makes a good one in that same price range, too.



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[wildwilderness]

I would Not use a Berger Bullet on oryx from a 6.5 CM. Those bullets are designed to fragment, not penetrate.

Try a Barnes bullet, or a bonded option- the bullet will say “bonded” on it

 

[Seamaster]

Oryx are not bulletproof. They are no tougher to take that an elk. Most hunters that I know use a 300 WM, a 9x62, or a good old 30-06. Although most of the ones that I have shot have been with a 375, but that is only because that is what I had in my hands at the time. I have killed them just as cleanly with a 280 or a 30-06.

It would be very useful to look at a picture of the vitals on one of the African hunting sites to see where to place your shot. You really do not want to "shoot a little far back" (gut shoot) on an oryx. Keep your shooting distance reasonable.

 

[Doghed]

He has taken one oryx before, so not a ton of experience, but better than nothing. Ive been shooting Berger 156 grain brass cased rounds in my 6.5. Think those would be ok?

What would you consider the ideal caliber for hunting Oryx. I am spoiled by my 6.5 CM and the muzzle break. It barely kicks and I love that. Any recommendations for bigger rifle that would do job and not kick too crazy?

Thank you so much for your insight!

I just recently filled my OIL on-range hunt. When you draw that hunt you receive many emails from the hunt coordinator about all sorts of things including cartridge selection and shot placement. The caliber recommendation was 30 cal. minimum, but many oryx have fallen to smaller calibers and even non-magnum cartridges. Of course oryx have run for miles after being hit with 30 cal+ cartridges as well. Shot placement and bullet selection is part of the deal as usual.

LightFoot used a 340 with a 225 gr. bullet at 75 yards with no pass through. Another user that posted his broken horn hunt last year used a 300 PRC with 212 gr. hunting bullet at 300 or 400 yards, had a complete pass through and the oryx still went hundreds of yards before going down. I used a 300 PRC with a 225 gr. match bullet (don't do that} at 568 yards and he went down immediately. You just never know. As I said above, knowing the anatomy will be very important. If you shoot them like a North American ungulate you will have a problem.

As far as smaller calibers...yes it can be done. People will say its no problem. Perhaps they got lucky (like me with a match bullet) or perhaps they had a very long track on a wounded animal and had to shoot one or two more times to finish the job which can happen with any cartridge you use. I believe member ttmannan had to shoot one or two close range follow-ups with his 30.06. Again you just never know. Best to grab the biggest thing you can.

 

[Seamaster]

 

[Doghed]

When is your hunt?

Edit: I just saw your thoughts about dealing with recoil. I take back my comment about grabbing the biggest thing you can. Shooting a bigger caliber that you're not comfortable with could be worse than a 6.5 that you love. You should go with wildwilderness and Seamaster's advice and use a good bullet and make an educated shot. Keep it simple.