Ibex caliber and bullet

[112Savage]

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

Well, on my mouflon which I shot through the shoulder quartering to me. The bullet broke apart and only shreds were found. The shot was around 100yds and the mouflon was definitely incapacitated but took a while to die.

 

[swavescatter]

I recommed a 77gr TMK for more knockdown power

 

[TMA805]

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.

Just heads up, Asian sheep (Argali specifically) are larger than North American sheep. Not smaller. Argali also larger than Aoudad & mule deer too.

 

[HuntingGriff907]

A Texas ranch hunt is a completely different than a Central Asia Ibex hunt at 12k feet with December snow and a language barrier. There is escape terrain everywhere that a wounded animal could end up that would require technical mountaineering skills and equipment to access for recovery or follow up shots. Most of the hunt for us was trying to catch them out of the l inaccessible terrain to get a shot.

I’ve hunted Africa as well, and the Central Asian hunt is a completely different experience.

112savage, your Gredos video is enlightening. I’m heading to Spain in March for Sierra Nevada and Ronda Ibex Both of these are smaller than a Gredos or Siberian Ibex. The outfitter provides a Tikka 270wsm for the hunt.

 

[112Savage]

A Texas ranch hunt is a completely different than a Central Asia Ibex hunt at 12k feet with December snow and a language barrier. There is escape terrain everywhere that a wounded animal could end up that would require technical mountaineering skills and equipment to access for recovery or follow up shots. Most of the hunt for us was trying to catch them out of the l inaccessible terrain to get a shot.

I’ve hunted Africa as well, and the Central Asian hunt is a completely different experience.

112savage, your Gredos video is enlightening. I’m heading to Spain in March for Sierra Nevada and Ronda Ibex Both of these are smaller than a Gredos or Siberian Ibex. The outfitter provides a Tikka 270wsm for the hunt.

As you well know, the Spanish ibex are quite small compared to the Asian. The 270WSM should be great. I was just commenting to the “toughness” of the animal.

 

[swavescatter]

A Texas ranch hunt is a completely different than a Central Asia Ibex hunt at 12k feet with December snow and a language barrier. There is escape terrain everywhere that a wounded animal could end up that would require technical mountaineering skills and equipment to access for recovery or follow up shots. Most of the hunt for us was trying to catch them out of the l inaccessible terrain to get a shot.

I’ve hunted Africa as well, and the Central Asian hunt is a completely different experience.

112savage, your Gredos video is enlightening. I’m heading to Spain in March for Sierra Nevada and Ronda Ibex Both of these are smaller than a Gredos or Siberian Ibex. The outfitter provides a Tikka 270wsm for the hunt.

I've never hunted in TX, only free range in NM. Also, my Tikkas habla Espanol so the language barrier is no issue.

I guess I'll stop with the caliber conversion therapy - there will always be a group of people out there that will NEVER try using smaller cartridges with effective bullets because they just KNOW in their heart of hearts that it won't work. Then there are those of us that did try and saw improved success rates and have magnums in the safe gathering dust...

 

[GreyGhostHunter]

I shot a mid Asian at 550 with a 210 berger and still ran 200 before falling down mountain. It was a good shot but they are tough and bigger than expected. Going back this fall and taking same setup

 

[huntem]

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.

My hunt in Kyrgyzstan is not until 2029 so many of important details of travel have not yet entered my mind. I know here domestically, my ammo has been in my rifle case. Is this not permitted for flights into Kyrgyzstan?

 

[chizelhead]

My hunt in Kyrgyzstan is not until 2029 so many of important details of travel have not yet entered my mind. I know here domestically, my ammo has been in my rifle case. Is this not permitted for flights into Kyrgyzstan?

From my experience, ammo needs to be in a separate locked case in your luggage. I use a small pelican case with an Airtag and small padlocks with the same key as my gun case. When at camp, I lock my cash for tips and any other important documents in it that I don't need on me.

 

[Cactus kid]

I don’t have near the experience shooting ibex as others, but I didn’t not find them particularly tough when hit in the right spot. Our group killed them with 300wm, 270, and 308 win.

My experience with traveling to Asia (also limited) is if your ammo does not arrive you are screwed, there will not be rounds of any kind available. So take what you want.

I took a 300 win mag at the time for the same ammo concerns others have mentioned. If I were choosing a caliber today, the 6.5 prc, 6 cm, 6 um would definantly be considered. Spotting your own shots in Asia is especially important as communication with the guide will be limited at best.

 

[JP100]

I wouldn't overthink it too much.

I would happily take anything from a good 6mm/6.5mm and up.

300win mag is always a good bet to travel with as you can find ammo in most places. 7rem mag is a close 2nd.

We took a 300wsm, 300 win mag and .243win on our Mid Asian ibex.
They all died just the same.

My uncle had this dilemma before our trip, and ended up taking his 243, as this was his most used rifle, he had the most confidence in it, and used it for decades on game here. He had no issues.

I shot both mine at 300 yards, others were around 200/250.

You can get close just the same as any other game. long shots are a choice and not needed in most mountain hunting situations.

Its good to be able to shoot 500, but I would do everything you can to get as close as possible.

I guide Tahr for a living, and they have the same reputation of being hard to kill(same with Mtn Goats). Its mainly due to poor shot placement, because of awkward shot angles, unfamiliar game, and long shots.

You need to be proficient shooting awkward angles and shit positions. That's the norm in steep country.
That matters far more than the headstamp on your cartridge.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Since the OP already mentioned having a light rifle in 6.5PRC - it that rifle is a shooter, that's what I'd take. Have taken numerous mountain critters with the 143gr ELDX and all were very impressed. That bullet performs quite well on Ibex-sized game. The last was an Altai Ibex at just under 500 yards = died virtually where he stood.

Is a 6.5PRC enough gun for Ibex = absolutely! For my next trip I'm going for Ibex and Maral Stag and am considering taking my 7PRC instead - not certain which way I'll end up, but if the Maral wasn't involved it would definitely be my 6.5PRC.

 

[bascott1]

Tikka 270wsm. 130gr trophy copper. 310 yards. Dropped right there. Wouldn’t hesitate to take it again.

 

[SDHNTR]

The .223 stuff here is ridiculous. Whether it works well enough or not is just a stupid argument. If you’re going on an expensive international or out of state guided hunt, use what your guide/outfitter tells you to use - not some hacks on the internet!

Do you really want to show up and tell the guy who is responsible for your success and safety that he doesn’t know chit and instead you brought your .223 because 77 tmks are the jam on the internet?

 

[bascott1]

Like @cactuskid post shows. 300wm, 270, 308 all did the job. Take what you’re comfortable with and whatever you shoot well. I’d be more worried about having a good scope that held zero more than I would be what caliber I’m shooting.

 

[swavescatter]

The .223 stuff here is ridiculous. Whether it works well enough or not is just a stupid argument. If you’re going on an expensive international or out of state guided hunt, use what your guide/outfitter tells you to use - not some hacks on the internet!

Do you really want to show up and tell the guy who is responsible for your success and safety that he doesn’t know chit and instead you brought your .223 because 77 tmks are the jam on the internet?

“Using something just because it’s proven to be extremely effective is stupid!”

Touché?

 

[SDHNTR]

“Using something just because it’s proven to be extremely effective is stupid!”

Touché?

Nice try. Who are you quoting?

But yes, if your guide tells you not to, doing so anyways is not only stupid, it’s disrespectful.

 

[WBT]

I’m a little late to the party, but I second the notion that you need to take a rifle you’re comfortable with. My experience with goats and ibex is that they live in wide open areas and you need to be proficient out to at least 500 yards. A mid-sized cartridge is much easier to be precise with and that’s what matters most.

This past fall I shot an ibex in Tajikistan with a 6.5 SAUM and 140 gr Berger Elite Hunters. I hit him right at 350 yards. He took 3 steps and toppled over. I’m headed to Nepal this fall and I plan on taking the same rifle on that trip as well.

And I’ll mention that a previous poster was correct in that I’d be more focused on a reliable scope and mounts. Just as an example, on the same trip in Tajikistan this past fall one of my guides was insisting that he carry my rifle for me. I finally gave in and he promptly fell and slid down the mountain 50 feet or more. But, I had a Nightforce and it remained rock solid.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Nice try. Who are you quoting?

But yes, if your guide tells you not to, doing so anyways is not only stupid, it’s disrespectful.

Sometimes guides aren’t as smart as they think they are though. First aoudad hunt I want on the guide insisted that 300wm was the minimum, he’d even convinced another client to go with a 338 lapua magnum. I told him I’d like to bring my 30-06, maybe a 308 or a 6.5 and he was having none of it. I ended up taking the 300wm. A year later I went again but with a different guide, when I asked him about cartridge he just said bring whatever I want. We took a 30-06 and a 6.5 creedmoor, we took 2 great Rama well past 300 yards with each of the guns, they both worked. Next time I go for aoudad I’m just taking my 6.5 creed.

 

[medvedyt]

for the one recommending the .223 or similar it is not that it will not work but why take a gamble at that distance if you have an unique chance of shooting during the trip and of course there is always the issue that legally a certain amount of bullet weight and a mini caliber might be required by the law.

try to bring your wonderful .223 in the yukon for hunting a sheep and see how it ends ... the outfitter will not allow because it doesnt mean the minimun legal.