308 for aoudad?

does the 308 win have the power to knock down a Aoudad at free range distances? Where your shots are 200 yards plus, or would you need more power? I am asking because just bought a BAR in 308 and was wanting to use it on a hunt this fall but wasn't sure if it would be up to snuff for aoudad. I have time if need be to get a bigger rifle just looking for some info from guys that have hunted them thanks

I shot one with a .44 magnum right behind the shoulder and it still kept on going.

No question the .308 will work, but if you have the means to buy a new rifle.....I would opt for a heavier magnum .30 caliber bolt-action rifle. I shoot a .300 WSM for most of my hunting. Also, in my experience auto-rifles are not very accurate past 200 yards.

jensent,

Comparing a .44 magnum to a .308 is like comparing apples to oranges. The .308 has at least double the kinetic energy of a .44.....but the .44 also has a much heavier bullet, so you have to make tradeoffs. However, you won't be making many 200+ yard shots with a .44

more than enough if you can make the shot!!

The US Military Snipers use 308 and make kills at 800 yards, I am willing to bet that it will work on an Aoudad

The 308 has the same kinetic energy at 800 yards as a 357 at the muzzle

you have a point lol
Thanks guys for the input.......

If the hunter can put it in the right place .308 will definitely handle it. Use a bonded-core bullet with a good BC (like a Nosler Accubond or the new Hornady Interbond). The bullet will drop less at distance.

They make hits at 800 yards.

I wouldn't even consider it when there are so many other rounds that shoot circles around it.

a .308 is fine...my close friend used one to knock down a 300 lb ram with it at 250 yards. 165 grain boattail hollow point.

the only way i'd opt of of using that, or a .270, or a .30-06 is if shots were more than likely going to be 350 yards or better, then i would feel more comfortable with a magnum.

shoot for the shoulder to anchor the animal, but we've killed aoudad with 308's, 25-06's, 30-06's, we've even killed one with a .22-250 using 55 grain sierra gamekings

Of course in my opinion drop the 308 and go for the big gun a 338 Lapua

I wish I could justify a 338 Lapua in my safe.

Back on topic, the great thing about hunting for sport vs. survival, is that if you think you are under gunned you can always get in closer - provided you have developed that skill along with your long range shooting skills. I love long range shooting and short range hunting, but then I don't pay big dollars to hunt. If I did, my point of view might change a bit.

-ww

A .308 with do the job. It's all in the shot placement, even with a .338 shot placement is the key. And the comment about a semi-auto not being accurate past 200 yards. Shoot a R-25 .308 and that will change your mind, I sold my Remington 700 30.06 after I saw how well my R-25 shot. Just find a good bullet that the gun likes and you will never look back.

thanks again , I secured a older sako today in 7 mag problem solved but thanks for all the help the 1969 Bar will sit the Auodad hunt out.

Last Auodad I took was with a Remington 750 Carbine, in 308, from a tree branch rest, 268 yards across a canyon.... he tumbled into the canyon DRT. Long drag up. But the bullet did it's job even with Federal 150gr Blue Box and a short barrelled rifle....

It's plenty if its in the right spot.

I dropped my aoudad in his tracks this year with a .270 at 200 yds. Like so many other people have said before, it's about shot placement. I think the .308 is more than enough.

With a 308 go for the high shoulder shot and make sure and drop him in his tracks. I prefer a bigger gun, the few aoudad i have shot i used a 300 weatherby and i still had one go about 100 yards.

I shot one with my .308 two years ago and it worked fine. They are very resilient animals so shot location should be put at a premium.

I would put my LR-308 up against any bolt action out to 700 yards. Mine holds a 2.5 inch group at 500 yards. I use Sierra Matchking 168 gr. BTHP. Of course obtaining a good shot group takes practice. I would go with a 168 gr or 175 gr bullet for long distance. You can compensate for drop easier than you can wind.

Took this one at 375 yards. One shot at the shoulder. Dropped him on the spot without even rolling down the hill. Took down the other one running up the hill at around 400 yards. He did roll however.

texas republic,

That's a beautiful ram!! Congratulations and good shooting!!

I say a .308 with a good bullet is plenty.

I would use a 180gr. Barnes TSX; here a video clip of a 180gr TSX in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMFQ2dLTEX0

If you are wanting to shoot out past 300 yards, you need to be sure you have a "good" range finder before you ever think about a rifle. I would suggest the Leica range master. In my opinion, they are the best bang for buck for an acceptable one. Leupold's line of "range finders" are a joke in my opinion. Tried two different ones only to return them the next day.

Buddy of mine shot one with a 30-30 at about 80 yrds. He tracked him for several hours before he found him. High power needed for sure.

same thing happend to a buddy of mine.....leave the 30-30 at home or make a neck shot

An aoudad will run off no matter caliber you hit him with if you don't hit him right. I try to hit them high and toward the front of the shoulder. Typically they'll drop where they stand when hit there. If you hit one behind the shoulder, like you would on a whitetail, the aoudad is gonna run. And, it may run down into a canyon that's heck to get them out of. That's why it's best to drop them where they stand. Sure makes recovery a lot easier.

The .308 should do fine. My choice would be 165 or 168grn bullets of a premium make. I've shot all of my aoudads with either a .270 and 130grn bullets, or a 30-06 and 165grn bullets. I don't ever shoot too far though. The longest shot I've had to take on one was 265yrds measured with a range finder.

I shot one AOUDAD with a .308 150 gr nosler ballistic DRT. The animal did not even flinch. Witnessed by another member of this board who was my guide. 550 yds uphill. SHOT placement can NOT be substituted by getting a larger gun. Get a gun you can shoot well and stick with it. Beware of the man who only owns one rifle ...he proabably know how to shoot it well. Shoot the animal forward of where you would normally shoot a deer.

I shot mine in the back right knee with my Savage 30-06 (my buck fever was going and caused me to jerk the trigger.) After the shot it fell off the cliff it was on and the .44 magnum took several shots to finish it.

I was there when cazador shot his aoudad at 550 this past weekend. Hell of a shot and hell of a stalk. He stalked in from about a mile a way. Dropped it and it never got up. Just be confident and shoot straight.

Great advice... I also shoot a little higher on the Auodad as well, not much, just a smidgen higher and forward than a deer...

This one was shot Tuesday morning with my 30-06 and 165grn Remington Core Locts. He just tumbled down the hill DRT. The shot was from a hair over 100yrds. He was spotted at almost 1200yrds, and I stalked to that shooting distance. Was a seated shot.

The 308/30-06 cartridges will work fine on large rams. This one was pushing 300lbs.

^^^ That is a very old ram.

If you look close you can see scars on his shoulders from fighting. There is also a chunk that he must have knocked out of his right horn fighting also. He was half again bigger than the other rams with him. He was in a bachelor group of about 10.

Very nice photos

Toni Rudolf Vlaic

.308 will do the job.. You just need to know your ballistics and range.

I think I could kill almost anything with my '06. I'd be willing to give it a try anyhow.