Need thoughts on caliber...free-range Aoudad W TX

[duck'n]

OK, everyone was so helpful on my nilgai thread, I am coming back for more.

I am starting to plan for a West Texas aoudad hunt. This will be free range, in the mountains. They say shots range from 200-400 but could be closer obviously. Best I can tell the big rams are 300+ lbs.

I have started reading on recommended calibers and it is all over the place so I want your thoughts. I have the following guns in my safe:

Rem 700 ADL (synthetic) .270
Rem 700 BDL (gloss walnut) 30-06

I also have access to a Browning 300 WSM Stalker with BOSS.

I am leaning toward the .270 due to it being my go-to gun for the past 20+ years and it is kind of nostalgic with the whole Jack O'Conner thing. However, I hear they need to be anchored fast so they don't get in undesirable locations or fall off a cliff so the 300 WSM could be more practical. I don't really want to buy a gun for this hunt.

Oh and we will discuss bullet type in another thread so caliber wise of the three mentioned, which would you pick?

[bboswell]

I would think any of those three will have enough gas. Quick anchoring is going to be more a factor of bullet placement and design so pick the one you shoot the best and choose your bullet wisely.

[Shane]

Any of those would be fine. I like Nosler Partitions and AccuBonds. Don't aim for ribs/lungs. Put a bullet into the front part of the shoulder where it meets the neck, and you'll put him down right there.

[32drawlength]

That .270 would be ideal

I took an aoudad with mine

[Drycreek3189]

[QUOTE=bboswell;12165921]I would think any of those three will have enough gas. Quick anchoring is going to be more a factor of bullet placement and design so pick the one you shoot the best and choose your bullet wisely.[/QUOTE

I think this is right, but I would probably go with the .30 caliber that I had the most confidence in. I've never owned a .270 Win, but I've owned and killed stuff with both the 30-06 and the .300 WSM. The WSM would be my choice as long as it's accurate and I shot it well.

[150class]

Any are fine

[SabreKiller]

I've killed several out there and my choice would be a 7 Mag, but since you have a .270 I'd go with that. My .270 loves the Hornady 140 gr. BTSP. Haven't killed a sheep with it but wouldn't hesitate to use it. Like Shane said, front part of shoulder where it meets the neck or a high shoulder shot is my usual. they go straight down.

[meltingfeather]

I would go with my go to gun. The one you shoot the best is the one for the job... either will take an auodad easily.
I put one down last year at 335 yards with a .25-06 (Hornady Superformance pushing a 117 gr. SST).
Partition is a great recommendation. Hornady SSTs I've found to be extremely effective, and ballisticstudies.com confirms on both.
I'm going to start loading ELD-Xs in my 7mm-08 and dialing in the load for my next auodad.
I also second Shane's shot placement recommendation.

[ostey22]

That .270 would be ideal

I took an aoudad with mine

X2 150 grain bullet with mine

[32drawlength]

I would go with my go to gun. The one you shoot the best is the one for the job... either will take an auodad easily.
I put one down last year at 335 yards with a .25-06 (Hornady Superformance pushing a 117 gr. SST).
Partition is a great recommendation. Hornady SSTs I've found to be extremely effective, and ballisticstudies.com confirms on both.
I'm going to start loading ELD-Xs in my 7mm-08 and dialing in the load for my next auodad.
I also second Shane's shot placement recommendation.

This is very good advice regarding your go-to gun

I shot the 117 grain SSTs this fall also & would be very confident with this caliber for aoudad

Good luck to the OP

[Artos]

I agree about going with what your cozy with & that trigger is a great asset... When do you blast off??

I should have 270 dies if you want to work up a load...I'm a big fan of the tipped Barnes as you know. Only other thing I can suggest is range time for confidence.

[LWD]

Put the bullet in the right place and the .270 will work nicely. Were I to go on an Aoudad dad hunt I'm sure I'd need a new gun—likely an 8mm Remington Magnum or a .340 Weatherby. Any excuse for a new one right?

Hope you have a good hunt.

LWD

[Warrant]

I dropped one at 287 yards with a 308 Win 150 Core Lokt


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[duck'n]

Appreciate all the feedback! I am leaning heavily towards the 270...especially since Artos offered to help me develop a load for it!!! Thanks again everyone

[Warrant]

You can't go wrong with a 270. Good luck


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