Marco Polo Hunt

[flatwater bill]

5................................5 weeks from today, I leave for Bishkek Kyrgyzstan to meet Kariat, and to hunt Marco Polo sheep on this hunt. Although I spend all my free time exercising.........or so it seems, I am definitely feeling too fat and too old. I have worked up loads for 3 possible rifles, and need to decide which one...and soon, to get numbers to Turkish Air. .270 Win, 7mm Rem and 300 Win. Any thoughts on calibers from other sheep hunters appreciated.........................FW Bill

 

[Wheels]

Bill,

I will leave the rifle decision up to you.

Hope you have a blast.

Certainly look forward to hearing all about it.

 

[enysse]

I'd take the 7mm Rem Mag. I hope you get one!!!

 

[gizmo]

Good luck and I wish you success.

 

[Environ]

Good luck are you targeting Ibex too? I have Kyrgyzstan booked for next November so look forward to the report

 

[JES Adventures]

I've always been a proponent of the .30 Calibers for long range hunting, especially sheep and goats. Chances are you will have some wind to deal with which I'm sure you've considered. IMHO, a hot loaded 300 with a 180 gr bullet is the best choice. I used a 30-378 on my trip to Tajikistan however exclusively mountain hunt with a 300 RUM today. The bullet just bucks the wind well.

Good luck, I can't wait to see the pictures! John Ed

 

[Redruff]

FW Bill,

The 300WM. It is my choice for any hill hunt. Best of luck!

R.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Those are big sheep.
Which ever rifle you shoot best at distance.

I'm with Redruff on the caliber suggestion from your list.

Good luck.

 

[Mekaniks]

Good Luck!! Can't wait for the hunt report and pics! Take the rifle you most confident shooting.

 

[Nyati]

It will be long shots Bill, I would take the 300WM.

 

[UKHunter]

Don't forget the camera.

 

[gillettehunter]

To give good advice I'd like to hear a bit about the bullets that you have chosen. The higher BC bullets buck the wind better if shot at similar velocities. A 180 Berger in a 7mm will do as well at bucking the wind as a 190 in a .300 WM if velocities are better. I'd probably leave the .270 at home. It is probably most prone to wind drift of the 3. Next is which of the others do you shoot the best? Is one of them your "go to" gun that you have confidence in. Does one shoot just a touch better? Sheep are not particularly hard to kill as a general rule.
Wish I was going with you. I have thought about going again. If my knee was better than what it is I may of booked with the same outfitter. Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Please post a report. I'd love to know if this is a company that I should pursue when I can get back to sheep shape. Good luck. Bruce

 

[flatwater bill]

Thanks guys...............I respect the advice. 270 weighs 6lbs all in, shooting 130Barnes TTSx with max charge 4350 delivers about 2960 fps (I know...Everybody's 270 shoots 3100fps, but not mine) Have not shot This 7mm Rem (Model 700) with reloads yet, but it is a driver....shooting several factory 140's at a little under an inch (I can no longer do better than that) But the 300 Win is a favorite. Just wondering if the 10# all in weight will be too much of a draw back. It is under an inch with 190 grainers and IMR 4451. Cant get the speed up to over about 2900fps. Barnes 165 TTSX will go 3192 with Re-19. Is it too little a bullet? Thanks, Bruce.......................FW Bill

 

[K-man]

Just coming back from a Dall hunt, my gun weight was the lightest thing in my pack. I took my .300 win mag. Take the gun you have most confidence in out to 500 yds, save weight somewhere else. Make your guide carry the extra shells, or your jacket in his pack. That's what you pay him for, plus he's used to the altitude. It might even slow him down enough so you can keep up with him.

 

[flatwater bill]

Environ............no Ibex this time. Did not want to get too tired to hunt, divide my time too much. Talked to references............one man so exhausted after the Ibex he could not go after the MP. Also, wanted guide to know what his goal is........keep it well defined. Shot nice Ibex last time in Kyrygzstan, but still believe they are one of the best values in hunting.....as far as adventure factor goes...................the AF/$ ratio may be at its max for an Ibex. This year Mid Asian Ibex require CITES permit, so no incidental kills either. Would love to have an MP on the ground early, and have extra time. Last few hunts have gone down to the wire...............Lastly, just back from the range. No matter how heavy the rifle.........a 300 Win still kicks. Don't know how my buddy shoots a 6# Christiansen Arms 300 RUM. My 10# Sako 75 stainless 300 WM lets me know it has gone off. You Big bore fans..........shooting and enjoying the Gibbs and .577 have certainly lost some brain cells..............47 shots with a 300 Win is all I have needed today.........and then some..............FWB

 

[enysse]

165 TTSX is plenty. I like my 7mm Rem Mag because I'm good out to 400 yards and can shoot when ever and not worried about getting a scope in the eye. But I have shot my 300 Win Mag even more and I have to be conscious when I shoot that gun, especially uphill! There is no way I could shoot 45+ shells in one sitting anymore. Maybe a box. I would worry about carrying a 10 pound gun though.....

 

[Royal27]

I can't wait to read this report...

Will leave to caliber recommendations to those more qualified than I.

 

[Environ]

Environ............no Ibex this time. Did not want to get too tired to hunt, divide my time too much. Talked to references............one man so exhausted after the Ibex he could not go after the MP. Also, wanted guide to know what his goal is........keep it well defined. Shot nice Ibex last time in Kyrygzstan, but still believe they are one of the best values in hunting.....as far as adventure factor goes...................the AF/$ ratio may be at its max for an Ibex. This year Mid Asian Ibex require CITES permit, so no incidental kills either. Would love to have an MP on the ground early, and have extra time. Last few hunts have gone down to the wire...............Lastly, just back from the range. No matter how heavy the rifle.........a 300 Win still kicks. Don't know how my buddy shoots a 6# Christiansen Arms 300 RUM. My 10# Sako 75 stainless 300 WM lets me know it has gone off. You Big bore fans..........shooting and enjoying the Gibbs and .577 have certainly lost some brain cells..............47 shots with a 300 Win is all I have needed today.........and then some..............FWB

Thanks for the reply and best of luck to you Bill

 

[bluey]

great luck with the sheep hunt FWB, what an adventure hunting the roof of the world......
id be taking the 300, but of course the 7mm will do the trick , too.
if l was so lucky to be in your position id be packing the 300 rum...
have a ball,

 

[gillettehunter]

Guides may carry your rifle for you a lot of the time. 10 lbs is a bit, but if its the difference between getting a MP and not then take it. If the 7mm is doing well w/ factory then you might take a little time to try some reloads. Maybe 168 or 180 gr Bergers. If the only shot you have is at 525 yards. Last day of the hunt and you need to make that shot, which gun would you want to be using? That should be your answer. Best of luck to you. Bruce