Blue Wildebeest Bullets

[copperhead]

Hey all,

One of the animals on my upcoming Namibia hunt is Blue Wildebeest. I have read here and other places they can be very difficult to kill, so I was wondering if a solid would be a better choice through my .375 Ruger over a soft?:think: I will probably take both, but since I haven't even seen one of these fine beesties in a zoo, I am totally green to size, density etc. aside from what I read here or in books. I know the other animals, Kudu, Oryx, and Zebra, will require only softpoints. Tell me your stories of bagging these animals and what you used, or better yet post a pic of your trophy! Thanks!

 

[VonJager]

Even on Buffalo PH's recommend a soft point for the first shot. I do not think a solid would help you. Soft points will allow you to bring one round, and you will always have the appropriate round in the gun no matter the situation. Also some countries, like Namibia, do not allow solids for plains game.

Get a quality soft point of hardy contruction i.e. Swift A-Frame, Barnes X, Nosler Partition and enjoy your hunt.

 

[copperhead]

No worries of enjoying it! Thanks for the info, that's why I asked. I know, through reading, that Wildebeest can be hard to drop, so I wasn't sure. Thanks for the advise on the bullets as well!

 

[sestoppelman]

Soft points. Yes they can be tough to put down at times, as can any animal but are not bullet proof. I have seen them taken down with one shot from a 7-08 Rem and also take 5 shots from a .300 mag! Mostly depends on bullet quality and shot placement. If the first shot doesnt hit very well, they toughen up and can take lots more shooting but usually go down within yards with a good solid hit with good bullets.

 

[TOM]

I've only killed them with arrows but i think it's more important where you shoot them, not with what bullet, arrow, etc. Make sure and put it right on the shoulder, one third up the body. Check out the shot reference chart on this website. If you put it in the right place, you won't have to worry about all the other stuff.

You can actually see the arrow hole on my bull below. It was a little bit above one third up but this bull only ran fifty yards and was down in a large pool of blood. Took us a while to get him cleaned up enough for pretty pictures. In my opinion, shot placement trumps about all else. I don't know why my link isn't working. Click on the little picture below and it should blow up and show a bigger pic of the shot placement.

 

[copperhead]

That is a beautiful Wildebeest! What did he measure out to be?:shocked:

 

[TOM]

Thanks! The hunting gods were shining on me that day for some reason. He was 33 inches and shot in Botswana, 2007. I don't think i'll ever have the opportunity to get one bigger. To be honest, i haven't seen any bigger online either. Just got very lucky that day.

 

[copperhead]

That is the nicest one I have seen a pic of for sure! I love the horns color, shape, and length. I can only hope for one like that. Great animal.

 

[sestoppelman]

A fantastic wildebeest for sure, especially for Blue. Took an SCI East African White-Bearded in '85 where they tend to run a little wider in spread but it ain't that wide!

 

[morioc]

Hi Copperhead,
You should not be worry, with your 375 you have enough gun for a proper kill, but use soft point, in the chest.
I shot some in South Africa and Tanzania with different caliber, even with 243W..
Enjoy your next hunt.
Christophe

 

[copperhead]

Thanks Christophe and everyone else for the reply. After hearing back from you all that have taken one, I feel more informed. I figured that the .375 slinging the softs was ok, then read about muliple shots required from some other stout rifles such as the .300 mags' etc, I started to wonder.:sweat: Well, now I know that I should be fine with a well placed shot into the shoulder and that solids on PG in Namibia, not so legal anyway! Thanks for the info, but please keep the pics coming!

 

[Calhoun]

You have plenty of gun with your 375. I shot mine with a 30/06 - Proper bullet placement is key as Wildebeest are very tough animals. You definitely want to use soft point bullets!

 

[owenowen]

Hi Copperhead,

Yes your 375 will be great ! Like Christophe mentioned many guys shoot them with lighter calibers , the main thing is your placement. Most folks shoot the in the shoulder with 243, 270 , 303 , 308, 30-06, 7mm and up ..

enjoy ur hunt !!

 

[RayAtkinson]

I would recommend a soft, but I have shot many of them with a solid in a 375, 9.3x62 and a few with the .338 Win.

With any of the abover mentioned calibers on buffalo I would always go with a solid. With a 40 caliber and up I like heavy softs.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hi Copperhead,
You have one thing right and that is that Blue Wildebeest are tough animals. One thing to keep in mind with you shot placement is , not to shoot too high. The hump on the back of the Blue Wildebeest almost creates an illusion of the centreline of its body, causing a lot of hunters to place the shot too high. You can clearly see the hump on the photo that Tom has posted for us. Using the animal's back,(excluding the hump) as a height reference, you can place your shot from a 1/3 up directly on the shoulder. Get yourself a copy of Dr. Kevin Robertson's "The Perfect shot". You can get them in a pocket sized book and shows great references and detail to shot placement on most African game. You can even check out the shot placement guide right here on AH: Shot Placement Guide
Notice how low the vitals sit in that deep chest cavity of most African Game.
All teh best for your hunt.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

 

[Nyati]

One shot, with a .338WM Remington 225gr Swift AFrame

 

[INGOZI]

As with so many other African animals, shot placement is key. Keep your shot low and on the shoulder on a preferably broadside Wildebeest. Calibres I would suggest given your open destination are as follows:

1.) 30-06 with 180gr (Federal or Nosler)
2.) 7mm Win Mag with 175gr (Federal or Nosler)
3.) .300 Win Mag with 180gr (Federal or Nosler)
4.) .338 Win Mag with 250gr (Federal or Nosler)

I have listed them not in order of preferance but rather in shootability, rather shoot a "lighter" caliber very well than a "heavy" poorly. In Namibia you are bound to get an oppertunity at animals from Springbuck to Eland, therefore I would suggest the .300 Win Mag as a great all rounder.

All the best,

Engee Potgieter
African Outfitter Magazine

 

[Nyati]

Oops, this is the correct picture

 

[CK1]

I used a 180 gr TSX out of .300 Weatherby. 286 yard shot and he never took another step.

CK

 

[Code4]

Your .375H&H is more than enough with softs for Blue Wilderbeest. If you get a frontal shot, their sternum and rib cage form a sharp edge like the bow of the Titanic. I would recommend a higher shot into the base of the neck ( or under the chin ) or wait for a broadside shot.