Ibex caliber and bullet

[whitecoyote]

What are your favorite calibers and bullets for ibex. The guy I booked with said he recommends no smaller than a 7PRC. He said most shots will be between 300-500.

 

[WBT]

Where are you going?

 

[Starbailey]

I’d say he’s giving you good advice as ibex can be tough. I’ve personally seen & have taken them with 7mm saum 160 accubonds, 7mm rem mag 168 Berger, 28 Nos 195 Bergers. All have done just fine.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Im not going until next year but from everybody I've talked to, they recommend 300wm for ammo availability.

 

[alaska_bou]

What country are you going to?

I shoot a .300 win for almost any hunt around the world because I HAVE arrived at a destination with my rifle and no ammunition. If you are going to Kyrgyzstan, for example, it is illegal for an outfitter to provide a camp rifle for foreigners, so keep this in mind when planning. A .300 PRC might be better on paper, but you aren't likely to find emergency ammo for any "new" caliber like this in Asia.

Ibex are tough, resilient creatures that like to climb into the most inhospitable country when wounded, so my advice is to not wound one. Use a bonded bullet that won't explode at high velocities. Practice out to 800 yards regularly and it will greatly enhance your confidence at 400. I have shot nine ibex, and eight of those were at ranges from 80 to 500 yards, for what that's worth.

 

[whitecoyote]

What country are you going to?

I shoot a .300 win for almost any hunt around the world because I HAVE arrived at a destination with my rifle and no ammunition. If you are going to Kyrgyzstan, for example, it is illegal for an outfitter to provide a camp rifle for foreigners, so keep this in mind when planning. A .300 PRC might be better on paper, but you aren't likely to find emergency ammo for any "new" caliber like this in Asia.

Ibex are tough, resilient creatures that like to climb into the most inhospitable country when wounded, so my advice is to not wound one. Use a bonded bullet that won't explode at high velocities. Practice out to 800 yards regularly and it will greatly enhance your confidence at 400. I have shot nine ibex, and eight of those were at ranges from 80 to 500 yards, for what that's worth.

Thank you for the great advice! I will be going to Kyrgyzstan. I have a 300 rum that I is extremely heavy that I don’t want to take or pack and I have a light 6.5 prc. I imagine they wouldn’t have that either of those calibers. I Might have to think about getting a new gun.

 

[swavescatter]

223 with 77 TMKs will do just fine.

 

[idig4au]

Their advice is good. I’ve shot ibex with 300 wby and 30-378 wby. Mid Asian ibex for whatever reason can be very tough to take down and shooting distances are often extended. I wouldn’t recommend 6.5 prc for that hunt.

Also with all the international hunts I have done, not once have I had issues with my ammunition missing or need to go find ammunition. Take 40 rounds and have a great hunt

 

[idig4au]

What country are you going to?

I shoot a .300 win for almost any hunt around the world because I HAVE arrived at a destination with my rifle and no ammunition. If you are going to Kyrgyzstan, for example, it is illegal for an outfitter to provide a camp rifle for foreigners, so keep this in mind when planning. A .300 PRC might be better on paper, but you aren't likely to find emergency ammo for any "new" caliber like this in Asia.

Ibex are tough, resilient creatures that like to climb into the most inhospitable country when wounded, so my advice is to not wound one. Use a bonded bullet that won't explode at high velocities. Practice out to 800 yards regularly and it will greatly enhance your confidence at 400. I have shot nine ibex, and eight of those were at ranges from 80 to 500 yards, for what that's worth.

This is sound advise

 

[HuntingGriff907]

I harvested my Ibex late December of 2025 in Tajikistan with a 300wm, 180 gr sst. My hunting partner used a 6.5 creedmoor with a Berger bullet. We were both fortunate to have shots under 250 yards.

A rifle that you can confidently dial to 500 yards is the sweet spot for Ibex based on our hunt. The Ibex we encountered in the Pamir Mountains were very intelligent in how they used terrain to escape and exist in safety. We each had several stalking attempts over multiple days before success. They are a very tough animal, and I would recommend the 300wm.

We were limited to bringing 40rds each by the government, and I think it would be a struggle to locate any ammunition in Tajikistan. I agree with idig4au about ammunition going missing. The level of scrutiny on the rifles and ammunition through the entire flying process from the airlines and government doesn't lend much room for error. We had individual AirTags in our luggage, rifle case, and ammunition locked cases.

 

[swavescatter]

"Tough" = hunter's making poor shots due to small size. Smaller cartridge = greater effective accuracy. Bullet design and impact velocity over headstamp. Implying that little sheep need a 300 Win Mag is a bit rich...

 

[jack88]

Here we go with the "tough" talk again...just like mountain goats. You dont need hard, tough bullets for ibex or big boomer magnums.

 

[omicron1792]

They must have shale matted fur that creates an armor……

 

[TMA805]

I agree w/your outfitter for 7mm & up, as well as idig4au, alaska_bou, Griff907's sentiments. Shots in Asia can be (tend to be) longer, including more weather & wind factor. Mature Mid Asian billy I took last month in Pamir mtns seemed thicker & stockier than other ibex (bezoar, gobi). Looked like 55 gallon drum w/stubby legs. I've used 7SAUM & 300 WSM. I've had 65prc before. 7mm in my personal experience doesn't have that much more felt recoil in the field. Plus more bullet options (150gr to 180gr), hence my preference for 7mm. Feel free to pm with any questions. btw, nice kudu.

 

[swavescatter]

630 yds. 77gr TMK. One shot, went less than 10 yds...


My son took an Oryx with a 223 same bullet at 420 yds. On Ted Turner's ranch the professional Oryx guide recommended a 6.5 creed, and he does that for a living 5 days a week+. Tough animals are a myth in general, but sure take a 416 Rigby just in case.

 

[alaska_bou]

630 yds. 77gr TMK. One shot, went less than 10 yds...
View attachment 1027885

My son took an Oryx with a 223 same bullet at 420 yds. On Ted Turner's ranch the professional Oryx guide recommended a 6.5 creed, and he does that for a living 5 days a week+. Tough animals are a myth in general, but sure take a 416 Rigby just in case.

So in other words, you have never hunted Asian sheep or ibex that the OP asked about. Got it. But I am impressed you know better than those of us who have because you chose to take a reckless shot in TX at 630 yards and got lucky. How much energy did that 77 grain bullet maintain at that range? How much drift in a 15mph crosswind compared to a 200 grain from a .30 cal?

Since tough animals are a myth, tell that to any African PH and let me know what they say.

With most outfitters now days ending a hunt with a wounded and lost animal, why take the risk using such a small caliber?

I shoot a rifle that is sub .5 moa at the bench, so any accuracy argument is negligible at ethical distances. For me, I will choose the heavier, higher BC bullet every time, and on six continents it has always worked

 

[swavescatter]

The Josef Von Benedict energy is strong here.

But no, I have never hunted smaller Asian sheep. Just larger African game at long distance. Also elk and mule deer which are much larger.

 

[realunlucky]

Honestly I've never been but did book a hunt for ibex in 27. I've watched hours of hunting videos from across the "stans" and nearly every ibex shot just folded up with very few getting shot twice. That made me kinda think they were thin skinned. Guess I was mistaken.

My outfitter said a 6.5 prc was adequate. He did say no one is happy with a wounded unrecovered ibex so maybe he was secretly worried

I'm more worried about wind calls and margin for error there, than bullet performance.



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[112Savage]

I shot a Gredos ibex at 263 yds with a rented Blaser R93 in 300WM. The ammo was factory corlokt 180gr. It hit it perfectly through the inside shoulder and it exited the offside shoulder. Surprisingly the ibex didn’t jump or even really act hit until it had ran 20 yds and started getting weak.
Gredos are tiny compared to mid Asian. I do think a smaller caliber would work just as well but I was surprised at the lack of reaction to a powerful cartridge with a relatively quick expanding bullet.

 

[swavescatter]

Corelokts are relatively tough, weight-retaining bullets, correct?

edit - but no, I wouldn't recommend 223's with bonded bullets. The fragmentation is what kills.