Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game New Mexico Oryx

I’ve drawn a once in a lifetime tag for Oryx at the Stallion Range in Whitesands, NM. For various reasons that aren’t important, I won’t be handloading my .300 Win Mag and am looking for a good factory load to buy.

The rifle I’ll be using is a Remington SS that I’ve owned for well over twenty something years and is the most accurate centerfire Ive ever owned. It seems to shoot pretty much anything I put through it exceptionally well. I don’t think it’s ever shot anything I’ve tried in it over an inch and half. I am very comfortable with the rifle and long range shooting.

Any recommendations for good factory load for oryx in particular? All indications are that long range shots are likely on these very tough skittish critters. I have two weeks before the hunt.

Thanks to all in advance...

Drew the same tag 12 years ago, used 338 win 225 hornady interlocks, humped him up over 400 yards, quartering away shot, no reaction to the hit, kept running uphill, stepped onto a rock pinnacle, stood like a ibex, teetered and did a nose dive and rolled 100 yards of so ass over teakettle... Tough sumbitch, fun hunt.

I quit putting in for White Sands Oryx due to the circus that ensues on opening morning, background checks and all the base rules in addition to it being not much more money (if any) to hunt them in their native habitat in Africa...

That said, my one Oryx took a 180 Spartan (South Africa's version of a TSX) out of a .30-06 AI straight to the chest, a perfect double lung hit, and it still ran several hundred yards and needed a finisher. I have no recommendations on a factory load for you, but thought I'd throw that out there.

Thanks for the info but I’m confused as to how the cost of an African hunt can possibly equate with that of a tag on WS? I don’t even remember what the tag cost me because it was so insignificant. Certainly less than two hundred dollars - hell, maybe/probably less than half that?

Other than the cost of gas from my home to the range and maybe lunch, which again is negligible, there is really no other expense.

Edited to add for those considering it: the background consisted of a simple form you fill out which took me all of a few seconds. There are some rules but they are basically common sense such as don't pick up unexploded ordinance should you come across some, and you must wear orange.

Ive got lots of friends that have done the same hunt. I’ve heard how opening morning turns into a race to get to the hunting area, but my plan is to hang back and let everyone go ahead then pick up the oryx they’ve all rushed past. Really not that big a deal as far as I’m concerned. Very much looking forward to the experience.

Very cool, exotic animals I’ll probably never get to hunt in their native land so I’m grateful for the chance.

Opening morning was dumb. We headed straight to the mountain range, spotted a big bull, and hunted him. He was all by himself bedded halfway up the mountain... Cool animal and hunt. My tag was $1616.00 back then...

36”x8”, he was the biggest taken on my hunt dates..

Very nice, congrats. I hope I get as lucky.

You being a resident changes the cost thing significantly. I was just thinking out loud, so to speak.
I'd pay non-resident fees, plus have to fly or drive down there, get a motel, etc., etc., etc. I think Jud's tag price figure is still correct...or close to it. The no picture thing, other than of the animal and no buildings in the background, having to check in and check out, etc. just seems like more rues than I want to deal with. I am sure it isn't hard to make sure nothing identifiable is in the background, but all the little things add up to too much for me. I don't like background checks at all, not matter how small or insignificant. I'm not trying to whine, just stating why I quit putting in for that draw.

Good luck on the hunt. They're a really neat animal, no doubt. I have a barbary tag down near Carlsbad for this coming Feb. Can't wait.

Ya we had to hide our cameras off range, unload it for pics, then load it again. 😂😂

Nice bull Jud. I love hunting oryx, and have killed 7-8 of them in Nambia and a couple in South Africa. Used a 160 Accubond from my Tikka 7mag. LOVE the meat, which ranks right up there wtih axis as the best wild game I've ever eaten. That alone would be worth the cost of admission for me in NM and it beats the hell out of a high fenced TX hunt. I've got a line on some outfitter/off range tags when my turn comes up. Not cheap, but about 1/3 the cost of a good elk hunt. Good luck OP.

Ya Johnny they’re damn good groceries

Federal Premium 180 grain Nosler Partition would be my choice.

Dryfly,

I've shot several dozen oryx and used a .300 Win. Mag. on all of them. 220gr., 200gr., 180gr. Partitions, 180gr. TSXs. The last several were shot with 200gr. TSXs and it's the best bullet that I have used so far on oryx. If you can find a factory load using this bullet, use it. If not available, factory loads using 180gr. Partitions or TSXs will work just fine. I believe Federal offers both bullets in their Premium line.

Good luck on your hunt.

RS

Federal Premium 180 grain Nolser Partition would be my choice as well. Hard to go wrong with a Partition

Ripsnort,

Thank you sir. Exactly the info I was looking for...

I still have some old rounds I loaded with the old generation coated XBULLETs and a few partitions as well, but they’re so old I’m just gonna buy some factory rounds. Thanks to all who responded. Very much looking forward to the hunt. I’ll post pics when I get back if successful.

I killed mine on Rhodes Cyn at 83 yards, with what started as a 1.5 mile stalk. Yes, despite what some say, they are stalkable! Shot mine with a 30-06 and a 165 gr TSX. It was quartered away and went in mid ribs, stuck just under hide on offside shoulder. Textbook 40 yard death run and face planted.

I’d pick your choice in premium 180 or 200 gr bullet and go have a great hunt. I thought it was a fantastic experience in an important historical place.

I shot three back when I lived in New Mexico. All were shot with the original Barnes X, 160-grain, from a 7 mag. My hunts cost me $41 and half a tank of gas!

Not much to add to the discussion about which bullet to use as all the ones that have been mentioned are good.

My only advice is to study up on the anatomy of the big antelope and commit it to long term memory. Their internal set up is not like the North American cervids we are used to hunting. If you put one "just behind the shoulder" on a broadside shot, like you would with deer or elk, chances are you will either just clip the back of the lungs or miss them altogether.

Of course, you may already know this, and if so, please disregard. If not, I hope it was helpful.

Good luck on your hunt!