LOLSay what?
Did your elk go 200 yards? I've never shot an Oryx yet, and I suspect you haven't either, but from what I've read they are tougher than anything in the deer family. I've taken several elk with my 6.5x55, but don't know of anyone with experience who would recommend that for Oryx.No tougher than a bull elk. Either is capable of absorbing lots of hard hits and moving down the road. I shot an elk last week through both lungs, then pounded him through the heart and into the far shoulder. My buddy shattered his left rear leg with his 7 mag (I pulled no fewer than a dozen large bone fragments from the wound)...and he continued to run as if he wasn't hit.
Big animals can take some pain. Hit it in the right spot with a good bullet and it will die shortly.
I've taken several elk with my 6.5x55, but don't know of anyone with experience who would recommend that for Oryx.
I've read the article before, which is why I agree with my guide that I need more than a 6.5x55. I've heard of some bad stories with the .270 oryx hunting. Unlike the link you provided that seems to be geared towards private range hunting and says long range shots aren't common there, long range shots ARE common in NM.No animal is bullet proof. I'm not saying it's not a tough animal, it's just a little funny to read an argument that they are somehow far tougher than a bull elk.
Here's a list of suggested oryx cartridges from several sources (the .270 is included in all of these):
Chuck Hawks:
"Here are some suggested scimitar oryx and gemsbok cartridges:
6.5mm Remington Magnum, 6.5x68, .264 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester, the .270 Magnums, 7x57, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x64 Brenneke, .280 Remington, the 7mm Magnums, .308 Marlin, .300 Savage, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, the .300 Magnums, .303 British, 8x57JS, .338 Federal, .338-06 A-Square, .338 Win. Magnum, .356 Winchester, .358 Winchester, .35 Whelen, .350 Remington Magnum, 9.3x57, 9.3x62, 9.3x74, .375 Winchester, .405 Winchester, .444 Marlin and similar cartridges."
Here's the link to his full article if you care to read it:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/exotics_oryx_cartridges.htm
African Sky outfitters recommends a .270 on the low end with 7mm and 30 magnums working well:
"This is one of the tough antelope - the .270 caliber should be considered the minimum, with a good quality 150 grain bullet. The 7mm and 30 caliber Magnums are an even better choice."
Hunting Africa Safari's provides this list of recommended calibers:
"Hunting in Africa Safaris suggests the following calibers as being the best calibers for hunting gemsbok in South Africa: 270, 7 X 57, 7 mm Rem Mag, 308, 30-06, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag and any comparable calibers."
I've read the article before, which is why I agree with my guide that I need more than a 6.5x55. I've heard of some bad stories with the .270 oryx hunting.
If not wearing any during hunting...........you won't notice much boom when shooting at game. If you do, then you were next to something that reflected the blast and or you weren't concentrating on the dang shot.
Will do sir, I'm leaning towards a used Sako Finnbear in one of those two calibers.Whichever gun you choose...I'm certain it will be a blast. Make sure to bring us some pics.
I always try to wear low profile earmuffs when taking a shot. I'm of the opinion that whether you notice it or not, a high power rifle will damage your hearing without protection.I never have noticed the noise when people have touched off magnum rifles next to me out hunting everything from 375 H&H to 264win mags.. When your focused its just a background noise.
Jim, something must be off there, no way a 20" 7mm mag. is less blast than a 24" .30-06. A 20" 7mm mag would also bring its effectiveness down to about .270 level.Here is a little table with different rifles tested ... not sure why they choose some of those barrel lengths ...
Table 2. CENTERFIRE RIFLE DATA
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 _" barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18 _" barrel 163.2dB
.375 — 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB
Ditto. Shooting from the bench back to back I can tell the 7mag shoves a bit harder than the 06', but in the field I doubt I would be able to tell the difference. As for noise, I find that any high-powered rifle without protection rings my ears equally. I actually hear lower powered rifles as louder, (.30-30). I find louder sounds are a bit disorienting and harder to "hear" as a result.I have both and don't find a noticeable difference in either noise level or felt recoil.
Lafitte
This cannot be accurate. A 30-30 is louder than a .243? I find the .243 to be painfully loud round to shoot.Jim, something must be off there, no way a 20" 7mm mag. is less blast than a 24" .30-06. A 20" 7mm mag would also bring its effectiveness down to about .270 level.
A 30-30 generally has a shorter 20" barrel.Ditto. Shooting from the bench back to back I can tell the 7mag shoves a bit harder than the 06', but in the field I doubt I would be able to tell the difference. As for noise, I find that any high-powered rifle without protection rings my ears equally. I actually hear lower powered rifles as louder, (.30-30). I find louder sounds are a bit disorienting and harder to "hear" as a result.
Shooting a .30-30, I hear the boom, the echo, all of it. With a .30-06, .270, .308, 7mmrm; I hear a ring.
Thinking of buying a 7mm Mag. for an upcoming Oryx hunt, but have heard they are pretty loud. How would a 24.5" barrel 7mm Mag. compare to a 22" .30-'06 as far as muzzle blast?
Thank you