Aoudad Caliber Recommendations

[RJG_ABQ]

Great looking aoudads nakneker and coop2564!! Thanks for the stories and recommendations.

 

[pdavitt]

It is all about shot placement with Aoudads. And the fact that the kill zone is no where near where most hunters are used to with deer, elk and pronghorns. The Aoudad kill zone is much lower and further forward. Do your research, but you don't need a cannon to kill them at distance.

 

[Laguna Freak]

Lots of good council here. 15-20 yrs ago, I shot two near Llano, TX with 30-06 x 180 gr. They were both within 150 yds. Unfortunately one of them fell down a 70 foot granite crevasse and was unretrievable. Either rifle you have will do the trick with effective shot placement. If I were you, I'd probably be practicing with the 300 WM x 165 to 180 gr boolits. I'm sure some longish shots can present in NM.

 

[memtb]

For the first time I was lucky to draw a NM Audad (Barbary) tag for 2025. I'm asking you experienced sheep hunters which caliber would be your choice. I have a 7mm-08 that shoots a 1/2 MOA with 140gr Nosler bullets. I also have a 300 WM that shoots pretty good with factory Noslers, but I will be working up a load for that gun. I have harvested several animals with both guns, but have never hunted sheep.

What is your perspective is the 7mm-08 enough gun for those longer range shots?

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

If both guns are of similar weight, and you shoot both guns equally well…..I'll "ALWAYS" go with the larger cartridge/caliber! memtb

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

We have shot a lot from ewes, to big rams...shoot further forward with an adequate caliber. We have have 2 rifles for guys here to shoot one is a 6.5 creedmoor and the other is a 270 win. I have shot them with 22 creedmoor, 22-250, 243, 6 ARC, 6 creed, 25-06, 257 wby (a lot), 6.5 creed, 6.5 grendel, 270, various 30s, and 338s.

I'd say anything with 120 grain bullet going 2700 fps will do. Any of the new stuff with a fast moving heavy "big" BC bullet will hammer them and buck the wind. If I go out to really kill the biggest ram I can... I like 338 Norma or my light 338 RCM--bucks the wind well hits great with plenty of speed. Plus my gun is set up to peg anything inside 800...where I'm at--wind is always an issue.

 

[squeezenhope]

I think Aoudad Shooter's comment stating "anything with 120 grain bullet going 2700fps will do" is very solid. I presume he means 2700fps at muzzle.

 

[BLC08]

A 270 with a 130 or 140 grain ballistic tip will be fine out to 350-400 yards. Hit it right behind the shoulder and it will die, it might run a bit but it won't run too far. If you don't want it to run off just shoot it in the base of the neck, there is enough muscle there to absorb the shock of the bullet and not tear up the cape for mounting. I killed mine with a 25-06 with a 100 grain X-bullet handloaded with 60 grains of reloader 19. They are tough animals and make a pretty shoulder mount.

 

[txaggie1]

The 7-08 wouldn't be my first choice, you will spend a lot of time and effort on this hunt most likely. Anticipate a fairly decent ranged shot at best with up/down mountain terrain, you want to anchor him as quickly as possible. Getting to it for a shot, getting to it after the shot and packing it out is real. They are all front shoulders and that's where you wanna hit one.

Yes many calibers will do and many have been killed are you willing to wager your hunt on what "can" be done or what "should" be done. It's a hunt for an animal with really only trophy and experience value, buzzards wait for the meat to spoil before its edible!

Pick a premium bullet for your 300 and confident packing it around and most likely shooting a long ways. If a new gun is in your que, won't fault anyone for having an excuse for another rifle. Faster 6.5's, 270's or 7mm's will do just fine - again shoot premium bullets made to go through and go have yourself an experience. Just my 2cents where there's time and money involved I'm going to hedge my bets to come home with the game;

 

[Rebell]

Congratulations on your opportunity to hunt these very cool critters. I concur with most above as bigger is better if you are comfortable and confident with it. Breaking down a large Ram is often critical to keep it where you want it. Shot placement and a quality bullet are imperative. I love my 300 RUM, I shoot it well, and I'm confident with it. So that is what I used on my two hunts. Further forward than North American is something to remember. I shot my fist with a 180 partition and second with a 165 ballistic tip going 3450 fps. Both anchored where I wanted them.

Have a great hunt and please share photos and the story.

 

[Monteria]

Which ever one you can put square in the center of its shoulder. Shoot forward and they will drop.

 

[jrkotz]

The guys at horizon firearms recently harvested a few aoudad with 22 Creeds. Anything you can shoot well at your chosen distance with 1800 fps impact velocity should do. If I were going on that hunt I'd be taking a 25 Creed or 6.5 PRC. Best of luck!

 

[mnoland30]

Which unit are you hunting?

In the rough country, the lighter the rifle, the happier you'll be.

In my quest for a light rifle, I used a 7-30 Waters in a 21"Contener Carbine to kill 4. None ran. Like Oryx, the key is to shoot at the shoulder, not behind it. Behind the shoulder is a gut shot. Later, I purchased a 7mm WSM Browning Mountain Ti.

Sheep country is windy, so you may want more velocity, but my buddy dropped one in its tracks with a 7mm-08 and 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips.

Don't let anyone tell you that the meat isn't good to eat.