.25-06 box ammo for Barbary Sheep in SA. A little help gentlemen, please

[Betterinthebush]

For a couple months I’ve been debating with myself on what to hunt for my last 5 days on my ‘26 safari. Sable, lechwe, night critters, etc. I’ve always wanted to hunt sheep in Africa. I’ll not ever hunt sheep in North America as a client, but Barbary Sheep is well within my budget and, seeing as how I’d already be in country, Dempsey Bayly’s ( @BAYLY SIPPEL SAFARIS )post yesterday really stoked the embers in my heart for a mountain hunt in SA. Because, I truly love hunting the mountains for sheep and, this would be a really cool achievement that, other than this forum, I don’t know anyone else who has ever done this before.

I had a very nice get-to-know-you WhatsApp with Dempsey, gave him my background and the particulars of the first 16 days of my hunt and Dempsey seemed positive that my schedule would work for him. Then, talked with my wife (also known as the company controller), who (very rightly) said, the savings in flights to go back alone is reason enough to stay the extra five days and hunt. Plus, she thinks they’re beautiful and “needs” one.

So, I’m going to take my sheep rifle for this work. Remington 700 BDL .25-06.

So, that’s the back story. Now, esteemed hunters of AH, which of the following box ammo in the following pictures would be your first choice and last choice. My thanks in advance.

 

[deewayne2003]

Federal Fusion 120gr as it’s the only bonded option on the board.

 

[Bandera]

I would most likely opt for the Federal Fusion.
Better BC
Better SD

 

[Leadwood]

I Recommend the Fed Fusion......very good track record with them......bonded, accurate and affordable.
Worked extremely well in my friend's 243 on our mountain hunts in SA.

 

[Doug3006]

I hate to be that guy….but none of the above! Barbary Sheep are tough critters. The 25-06 will get the job done, but you need a tough bullet. Midway USA has Federal and Barnes loaded ammo with a 100 grain TSX and also Nosler loaded rounds with 100 grain Partitions. Either of these would be better. Good luck!

 

[Nosler guy]

I'm with Doug 3006 on this one, but would up the anti a bit more. try to find a premium 120 gr bullet - Barnes TSX - Nosler partitions or the like. You're dropping a sizeable amount of cash on the shot - can't see why spending a couple hundred bucks to make sure that shot gets things done, doesn't make sense.

 

[VINOYASADO]

Agree 100% with @Doug3006 , really tough animals! I would use the heaviest for the caliber and bonded!

 

[Surgeon1]

Barberry sheep are very tough. I would recommend something in the 30 caliber range. I’ve shot several of them in the US and even a 65 PRC with 140 grain bullets barely does it.

 

[JMM]

I have killed a lot of them in Texas. They are tough but not bulletproof. Out of the boxes you presented, I would use the Interlock or GameKing. I use the 55 grain .223 Interlock a lot in culling and they punch right thru whitetail deer. It is a pretty tough cup/core bullet. I get great accuracy and lethality out of GameKings. I have culled a lot of elk with the 150 grain. I also like the Nosler Ballistic Tip that Winchester uses. Has a pretty solid rear 1/3 that typically stays together. Personally, I have not had great luck with Fusions. Not as accurate in my rifles and really a plated bullet as opposed to a bonded.

If you want to step up your game, the Barnes TTSX, Accubond, Swift are all great choices.

 

[ru4elk]

Shot a lot of animals with 25-06 and love the Barnes TTSX. Would highly suggest to look into them and see how your gun shoots them.

 

[Muskox]

I bang flopped one in 2020 in the Chinati mountains of west Texas with a 150 grain Barnes X in a 300 Winchester.

25-06 in a deer type bullet will work.

I have bang-flopped a lot of things with a 25-06, mule deer and pronghorns mostly. It always worked.

Bob Milek used one on elk most years in Wyoming.

 

[pilar]

Hell those Fusions are good stuff , same with everything else mentioned in the post ( except the BT Winchesters)
TTSX , game king , NP , whatever the gun likes , then you do your job ( remember they are African sheep and shoot them farther forward then a NA sheep)