300WSM 165gr bullet recommendations Ibex hunt.

[buffalo577]

What can go wrong will go wrong. My first ever long range hunt about 8 years ago. Tikka 300WSM was very accurate (shortish mag box) and practiced to 500. I hit a big mid asian ibex at 300yds too far back, it took off, over the mountains.. I missed 2 running shots... then rode quicker over the shaley steep mountain and got ready. My last 3 shots (165TSX BT) were about 640, 790 and 930yrds... I was not prepared for this drama. Of those 3 shots aimed above shoulder (apparent after was some wind drift to the left) 1 went above neck spine and 1 just below neck spine,, great hits, but zipped in out, no expansion and useless. Guides no english, no spotting.
Next trip I did not have time to develop a load, and took factory ammo, ranged 420, dialed and shot. Ibex reeled back over falling down dead.
Now my third trip coming up, Sept 2023... yes I love Kyrgyzstan.. lovely people, awesome mountains, huge Ibex, also see Marco Polo, a demanding and difficult hunt... going back with friends.
Now I have time to develop a load... I heard it is possible to have a bullet for 100 to 400... and another bullet 500 to 800yds. Im happy to try that, and carry a box of ammo and 2or3 Tikka mags.
Can someone with experience help out with some suggested bullets. (and to avoid bullets). These Ibex have heavy hair, skin and muscles. Thanks.

 

[Broz]

I have heard some great reports from trusted friends on elk with the Berger 185 gr Juggernaut (SP?) That would be one I would consider. But I don't chamber rifles in 300 WSM and I have no actual personal experience with this bullet. Maybe others will chime in.

 

[Ladd]

HSM Ammo with the 185 gr Berger shot well out of my 300 wsm before I extended the throat for the 215 gr Berger. The 185 would be my choice in a SAAMI chamber.

 

[warrbuk]

I have a saami chambered kimber montana in 300 WSM. Barrel shortened to 20” and a little self timer Ti pro brake
This rifle is just under 7 pounds and not the easiest to shoot groups with.

Typical groups are not as good as the two below


Factory 180 Norma Bondstrike’s shot well at just over 2900 fPs

180 berger elite hunters with RL-16 shot great
185 Juggs shot pretty damm good to w/ RL16

The 180 EH load is safe in my rifle but work up to it if you go that route. WW brass. H4350 works great too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[buffalo577]

I'm a buffalo hunt guide very different, and new at this LR.. Ive just turned 60 and in life if we haven't done it already yet, we'd better get cracking from 60 to 70yo lol.
I went to NZ once and I was ill prepared there.. coming from Western Australia I though 200 was a long shot at kangaroos, but those Tahr were a long way out and appart from great experiences... I need to go back..
So getting back to bullets for Ibex, I know there are probably lots of 180 plus fantastic bullets... However with my lovely (cheap) yet super accurate Tikka and short magazine box makes me a bit restricted in OAL. So I'm happy to stay around 165gr, and experienced persons with 165s knowledge is much appreciate.
Pic: end of November, Tian Shen Mountains, Kyrgyzstan.

 

[Gillettehunter]

Ummm I'd take a good long look at going back to Kyrg anytime soon. Looks like they are set on stopping hunting for 3 yrs. Here's a link to some info:

Kyrgyzstan imposes ban on argali and ibex hunting for 3 years UPDATE - Topic

forums.accuratereloading.com

About your bullet. The suggestions above may be worth looking closer at. Jumping up to a 180 class bullet might be a great change. At least try some in your rifle.
I've been to Kyrg 2 times. Interesting place to hunt. They take horses places they aren't meant to go. Some interesting hunting for sure.
Bruce

 

[Mark Dille]

We built our 144gr Afterburner specifically for your Tikka. That was THE rifle platform in mind when we released that bullet. Don't be fooled by the lighter weight. That bullet is the maximum weight for an Afterburner out of a 1:11" twist, and it just squeezes into the short Tikka magazine for the WSM. In short, the 144gr, with a very respectable G7 of .234 for its weight, should address your range concerns with one bullet from 0-800 yards as the Afterburners are designed to fully fracture the front, not just barely expand, down to 1650 fps.

In our short debut at the end of last year, this particular bullet has seen more game than all our others combined, and most of that on large bovines from 70 yards out to just over 500 yards for two of the shots that I'm aware of. You can see some of the results of that here on this site, and some posted on our own small forum on our site as well.

I wish you luck on your upcoming hunt! Sounds awesome. If you do decide to go with the Afterburners, we'd love to see and hear about the trip details on that.

Afterburner .308" - 144 gr | APEX OUTDOORS

.308" Caliber, 1:11" Min Twist Rate, 144 Grain, Afterburner, 50 Count

www.apex-outdoors.com

30 cal Afterburners - Terminal Performance Pics

Hello, everyone! I thought since this past hunting season witnessed our first bullet launches, predominantly in 30 cal (all are released now), I'd share a few of the terminal performance pictures that were sent to me as the season progressed. The real-world results so far have aligned with our...

www.longrangeonly.com

 

[mddat]

I don’t own a tikka but I believe you can change or modify the bolt stop and magazine pretty easy and it will allow you to seat the longer, heavier bullets out further without issue. Quick google search will show you how. I’d be looking to use the Berger 185 juggernaut or 180 elite hunters.

 

[BadgerTac]

So you made hits with the tsx at really long ranges into the neck? I’m not sure how many bullets are going to expand much in that area. I’ve always like the TTSX bullet, good shot in the vitals has always ended with a dead animal

 

[Lancetkenyon]

I like the 175 OTMs for a "lighter" .308 bullet. I have shot them in .308 Win, .30-06 Spr, .300SAUM, .300 WSM, .300WM, and .300Rum. From mule deer to elk, from 160 to 700+, they have not disappointed.

 

[Wille]

I hunted Kyrgyzstan in 2021 and shot my 300 WM with 180 grain Nosler Acccubond, one kill at 480 mtrs and the other at 340 mtrs, at 340 I had to shot two times because of me. That bullet did the job perfect and for now that is what I'm shooting.
Cheers