I've drawn a hunt for exotics this year and need input on ammo. The largest species I could take will be Gemsbok. From what I have been able to find out they can weigh up to about 500 lbs. I guess this would put it in about the same class as elk. I will be using a Mauser in 8x57. Ballistically this is in the same class as the 30-06. My 2 choices are S&B 196 grain SPCE ("soft point cutted edge") or the Norma 196 grain Oryx load. I would like to use the S&B as it's about 1/3 the price of the Norma load ($10-$12 for S&B vs. $35-$40 for Norma). Will these be adequate or do I need a premium bullet like a Partition, X-bullet, etc. I do handload so I might be able to work up a load for it using a premium bullet (finances willing). I would like to have a factory load as a backup in case I can't get a load worked up in time.

I would use a premium bullet. Never heard of the first bullet mentioned, but if it is not designed to hold up in big game, I would use the more expensive bullet. Still a bargin for a hunt like that. You probably won't need to get more than a couple of boxes. One box to sight in and 1-2 boxes for the trip. Use the cheap sutff for practicing.

Midway USA carries the Hornady 195 grain load. This should work really well. Check it out. Its around 20.00 a box.

I've hunted Oryx at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. IMO they are tougher than elk. You have to shoot thru the front leg to hit the heart. The aim point is -- put your horizontal crosshair on the top of black racing strip on the side--your vertical crosshair right on the front leg. The bullet will take the top of the heart off. Don't shoot behind the shoulder like a deer---you'll miss the vitals. They are more forward in African animals. With this said-----Use a good bullet----Partition or equal. In your case sounds like the "Oryx" load.

I would definitely use the Norma Oryx load out of your 8x57. It is a very tough premium bullet and will perform well, I hate factory 8mm therefore I handload, I can get a 200 grain partition out of the barrel at 2700 fps.

What powder and charge are you using? I will eventually handload for it but don't have dies or components for the 8mm yet. I am probably going to choke down the $35 a box for the Oryx load. Though I know my chances for a trophy bull are slim, I would hate for one to run off wounded because my bullet failed.

I load the Nosler 200 grain partition (8x57jrs) as my "only" bullet/load for my Krieghoff Drilling, and i couldn't be more happy with it's performance!! I've taken moose, deer, bear and other big animials with it, and it's worked perfectly every time.

In all the animials i've shot with this bullet/load, i've only recovered one bullet, and it was an angleing shot at 200 yards that broke the back and top of the shoulders on a big whitetail. I was very surprised to find the "mushroomed out to the partition" bullet.

I load mine to 2,550 fps, and i don't feel any need for more speed.

Drilling Man

Using IMR 4350 you can get 2700 fps under a 200 grain partition with 52 grains, or just over 2580 with 50 grains of 4350. good luck!