Texas Nilgai - Rifle choices

[Zinz]

 

[JD Noblin]

I have only hunted one Nilgai and I used a 338 RUM with a 210gr Barnes TTSX and it worked great. Shot was 310 yards off sticks.

 

[Red Leg]

I did a little investigating online, looking at pictures of the big bulls. I'm still sticking with no less than a good heavy 9.3 diameter at 'least', with good SD....a good Woodleigh. Velocity needs to be kept 'not too fast' and drive through and break whatever is in the way. No need for shots at more than 100 paces. .375 would be ok if bullet holds together good at velocity. Big one in one of the pictures looked like he begs for a .450/400 blue nose but don't think that's needed, he was a magnificent specimen. Good Woodleigh in a 9.3, even a 9.3x74....any 9.3 for that matter. Something equivalent or within that range....and on up, at one's choosing. I've heard they are tough.

Ideally yes, but the nilgai have a vote in determining at what range they are shot. The vast majority are spotted at 300 yards as they slip into fourth gear while looking back over their shoulders. I don't recommend that shot, but in a two day hunt (typical) you may only get one opportunity at a bull and it is very unlikely to be inside 100 yards. Of the half dozen or so bulls I have killed, one was inside 150 and none over 300. I would guess the average is between 150 and 250.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Great advice all. Thank you much. I reviewed a test of the 300wm and the 7mm RM using the same bonded bullets on ballistic gel at 200y. The 7mm actually penetrated a little deeper than the 300wm did in that test. Not much but a few inches more. The 7mm bullet is only 7% smaller in diameter to the 30cal so, I would not expect the results on game to be much different as long as the shots are well placed. Just sayin.

I am quite confident with the 375HH out to 300y off sticks and 400y if I can get prone or a solid rest. But my ability to hit the tgt is not what limits my shots on game with that rifle. I try to limit my shots with any hunting rifle to the distance where the bullet's speed drops to 2000fps. That insures that the bullet will both expand adequately and penetrate well enough to hit the vitals and ideally will do a complete pass thru from most angles. That is about 200-250y with the 375HH with either 300g A-Frame or the 270g TBBC ammo.

Plus my son and I will hunt together with one of us being the primary shooter and the other being the backup and then trade places for the next animal. The primary shooter aims for the vitals and the backup will attempt a neck/spine shot directly after. Just to try to limit tracking.

The guide told me some things that run counter to my African experience and this still bothers me and it also contradicts much of your guy's advice as well. He told me not to bring Barnes TSX or other monometal ammo. He said that these are more likely to shoot all the way thru the animal. In my mind that is a good thing since you would have two wounds to create a blood trail. He suggested Nosler Partitions, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (if available) or A-Frames. Those are all good bullets and I have the TBBC and A-Frames on hand, I just had a hard time understanding his dislike of the TSX??

We actually have four hunters on this trip and the other two plan to bring a 300WM and a 338 mag. I am currently negotiating to acquire a Ruger M77 African Hawkeye in 338 mag as well. I will probably still use the 375 only because I shoot it very well.

I get it that in Texas we will not have the benefit of a great Bantu or Bushman tracker to aid in the recovery and believe me, I have seen those trackers work and it is amazing. I took a 600lb+ Blue Wildebeest on my last trip to Paradise using the 375HH with Barnes TSX 300g ammo. A frontal shot at 160-180y and the bullet expanded to 2x diam and penetrated about 3ft lodging in the paunch. It ran 60y and dropped. They are tough and a 10y shot to finish it did not penetrate fully. Was found under skin on the opposite side and expanded to 2.2x. It measured over 28" and just short of a Rowland Ward record book trophy by about 1/8"

I still have trouble believing that the Nilgai will be tougher. I sincerely appreciate the real hunting experiences that you all are sharing as I am a firm believer in learning from the success and failures of others along my path.

 

[AckleyHunter]

He suggested Nosler Partitions, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (if available) or A-Frames.

Why wouldn't those bullets pass thru? Of the five total Nilgai killed on the hunt I did, all the bullets exited. Three were 180gr partition protected point, and two were 200 gr terminal ascents (basically tbbc with a polymer tip and high b.c.), all 300wm. My bull was a frontal shot, just below the "beard." Exited thru the back ham. Tipped over like a dead tree.

 

[The35Whelen]

I've taken a few Nilgai in south Texas, all with a .35 Whelen. I killed my first at 176 yards with a 200 grain TSX. He was standing slightly toward me. The round entered front edge of the shoulder, and the big bull dropped where he stood. You can see the entrance wound in the attached photos.

The second one was taken shooting 225 grain Nosler Partitions. The first shot was a perfect broadside, and the beast bolted like I'd missed. Three more running shots finally dropped him. Two through the lungs, and the last literally took his legs out from under him. He was still alive when I caught up to him and had to dispatch him with a 10mm to back of the head.

The third was shot by another hunter broadside through both lungs with a 30-06. The bull ran about 300 yards and was still alive when I found it hidden under a bunch of mesquites. I shot it broadside at about 40 yards with a 200 grain TSX and rolled it over.

One of my friends on another hunt shot one broadside through the heart and the bull still ran almost 200 yards. We found it piled up under some super thick briars and low mesquite, stone dead. The round had split the ventricle wide open but from the way it ran you wouldn't know it. Luckily, we had a small but consistent blood trail to follow.

I share all this to say Nilgai bulls have been harder than woodpecker lips more often than they haven't been. I recommend a medium bore or larger rifle, but it doesn't have to be some shoulder shattering ultra mag. Regardless of what caliber you take, a premium bonded bullet is highly recommended.

 

[dchum]

The guide told me some things that run counter to my African experience and this still bothers me and it also contradicts much of your guy's advice as well. He told me not to bring Barnes TSX or other monometal ammo. He said that these are more likely to shoot all the way thru the animal. In my mind that is a good thing since you would have two wounds to create a blood trail.

Who did you book your hunt with?

Sounds like Tony Medina….

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

Ideally yes, but the nilgai have a vote in determining at what range they are shot. The vast majority are spotted at 300 yards as they slip into fourth gear while looking back over their shoulders. I don't recommend that shot, but in a two day hunt (typical) you may only get one opportunity at a bull and it is very unlikely to be inside 100 yards. Of the half dozen or so bulls I have killed, one was inside 150 and none over 300. I would guess the average is between 150 and 250.

Ah!....I'm understanding the picture now.

 

[dchum]

I've taken a few Nilgai in south Texas, all with a .35 Whelen. I killed my first at 176 yards with a 200 grain TSX. He was standing slightly toward me. The round entered front edge of the shoulder, and the big bull dropped where he stood. You can see the entrance wound in the attached photos.

The second one was taken shooting 225 grain Nosler Partitions. The first shot was a perfect broadside, and the beast bolted like I'd missed. Three more running shots finally dropped him. Two through the lungs, and the last literally took his legs out from under him. He was still alive when I caught up to him and had to dispatch him with a 10mm to back of the head.

The third was shot by another hunter broadside through both lungs with a 30-06. The bull ran about 300 yards and was still alive when I found it hidden under a bunch of mesquites. I shot it broadside at about 40 yards with a 200 grain TSX and rolled it over.

One of my friends on another hunt shot one broadside through the heart and the bull still ran almost 200 yards. We found it piled up under some super thick briars and low mesquite, stone dead. The round had split the ventricle wide open but from the way it ran you wouldn't know it. Luckily, we had a small but consistent blood trail to follow.

I share all this to say Nilgai bulls have been harder than woodpecker lips more often than they haven't been. I recommend a medium bore or larger rifle, but it doesn't have to be some shoulder shattering ultra mag. Regardless of what caliber you take, a premium bonded bullet is highly recommended.
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That is a fantastic bull and you got to hunt with a south Texas legend.

 

[archer36]

I am no expert. I'll just relay a discussion I had with my Newfoundland Moose outfitter and results of my South African Plains game hunt.
When I asked my Moose Outfitter if a .270 is enough gun, he said of course, if you use the right bullet. I killed 7 animals in South Africa. From Warthog to Kudu (including a Wildebeest) with one shot kills. No tracking needed. All were shot under 125 yds. I used a .308 with 180 gr Nosler Partitions (old school).
This type of topic is not a one answer topic. I agree with a lot of previous posts stating the importance of the right bullet in addition to shooting a certain caliber well. I saw guys come into camp with .300 mags, wound animals and call out tracking dogs. You can use a "big gun" but can you shoot it well? An accurate smaller caliber is better than a bigger, inaccurate one. Shot placement is critical. Finally, know your limitations. Do you practice shooting out to 300 yds? If not, don't take those shots. So, the caliber is not the whole answer. Just my 2 cents.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I am no expert. I'll just relay a discussion I had with my Newfoundland Moose outfitter and results of my South African Plains game hunt.
When I asked my Moose Outfitter if a .270 is enough gun, he said of course, if you use the right bullet. I killed 7 animals in South Africa. From Warthog to Kudu (including a Wildebeest) with one shot kills. No tracking needed. All were shot under 125 yds. I used a .308 with 180 gr Nosler Partitions (old school).
This type of topic is not a one answer topic. I agree with a lot of previous posts stating the importance of the right bullet in addition to shooting a certain caliber well. I saw guys come into camp with .300 mags, wound animals and call out tracking dogs. You can use a "big gun" but can you shoot it well? An accurate smaller caliber is better than a bigger, inaccurate one. Shot placement is critical. Finally, know your limitations. Do you practice shooting out to 300 yds? If not, don't take those shots. So, the caliber is not the whole answer. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you sir, 100%. I took most of my PG in Africa with a 308 loaded with 180g Fed Fusions a bonded bullet and they were all 1-shot kills. For my next trip, I am taking a 7mm/08 using both 140g Barnes TSX bullets and some 150g Swift Scirocco's and have little doubt that they will perform well. Stay tuned for that hunt report.

Dchum asked who I booked my hunt with? Since I have questioned the advice of the outfitter on a public forum and since he still knows more about Nilgai that I do, I am going to refrain from sharing his name at this time. Suffice to say it is a well established operation with very good history. He just has a strong bias against TSX type bullets. I get that. It just seemed odd.

Keep in mind that bullet choice and preference among hunters is more like assholes. Everybody has one and for the most part, they all work pretty well as long as you can place that critical first shot very well. A decent rifle with a good cartridge for the expected distance and terrain coupled with a quality bullet and most of the time, you should get good results. Give me the right situation and I think I could kill a Nilgai with a 243. But, would I choose that? Hell No. Not enough gun. Is the 7mm Mag enough? I think so, but is more gun better? Likely yes. But, the 375 is not a good choice for 300y+ shots. It loses velocity quickly and drops a lot beyond that range. That is the rub. The 7mm loaded with 175g bonded bullets is still cooking along at 2043fps at 400y and only requires a 1.6MRAD holdover at that distance. I can hit 4" plates at that range with my rifle. That was why, for me, the 7mm seemed the better choice for those longish shots on Texas game. Would a 300wm be better? I dunno, but it would be just as good and better than the big boomer at long ranges.

I can make the 375HH work but would not want to attempt a very long shot with it. I know it is better than a 7mm inside 200-250y but out beyond that I think not and the 7mm is adequate from 50y to 400y so it is going to be more flexible in that situation.

 

[kdenn]

One Nilgai, used 300PRC @ 360 yards shooting 195 grain Hammer hunter. Our guide recommended 300WM or bigger.

 

[archer36]

I agree with you sir, 100%. I took most of my PG in Africa with a 308 loaded with 180g Fed Fusions a bonded bullet and they were all 1-shot kills. For my next trip, I am taking a 7mm/08 using both 140g Barnes TSX bullets and some 150g Swift Scirocco's and have little doubt that they will perform well. Stay tuned for that hunt report.

Dchum asked who I booked my hunt with? Since I have questioned the advice of the outfitter on a public forum and since he still knows more about Nilgai that I do, I am going to refrain from sharing his name at this time. Suffice to say it is a well established operation with very good history. He just has a strong bias against TSX type bullets. I get that. It just seemed odd.

Keep in mind that bullet choice and preference among hunters is more like assholes. Everybody has one and for the most part, they all work pretty well as long as you can place that critical first shot very well. A decent rifle with a good cartridge for the expected distance and terrain coupled with a quality bullet and most of the time, you should get good results. Give me the right situation and I think I could kill a Nilgai with a 243. But, would I choose that? Hell No. Not enough gun. Is the 7mm Mag enough? I think so, but is more gun better? Likely yes. But, the 375 is not a good choice for 300y+ shots. It loses velocity quickly and drops a lot beyond that range. That is the rub. The 7mm loaded with 175g bonded bullets is still cooking along at 2043fps at 400y and only requires a 1.6MRAD holdover at that distance. I can hit 4" plates at that range with my rifle. That was why, for me, the 7mm seemed the better choice for those longish shots on Texas game. Would a 300wm be better? I dunno, but it would be just as good and better than the big boomer at long ranges.

I can make the 375HH work but would not want to attempt a very long shot with it. I know it is better than a 7mm inside 200-250y but out beyond that I think not and the 7mm is adequate from 50y to 400y so it is going to be more flexible in that situation.

Well said! We should not advocate for the extremes (low and high end). A .22 caliber rifle would do the job at close range with a head shot but it is not a "good" choice. Bullets are very important. Some better than others but you have to know the task at hand. Do you want a bullet that will pass thru or one that expands dramatically and doesn't? They both work. I mentioned using a Nosler Partition on my Plains Game hunt and I called it "old school". It has been around for many years and was the "best" bullet of it's time. More, possibly "better" bullets have been developed since then. But, that's the strategy of our hunting companies. Develop new bullets, new calibers, to create more business. I understand it. It's survival. But, are all these new offerings much better than what has already existed? Most times, NO. So, if you have an antiquated .270, .308, or 30.06, and opt to move "up" to the newest offerings, you may not get anything more out of them, but you will be in style with the latest and greatest. LOL.

 

[Throwback]

As you have heard, the right bullet in the right place is super important. My son and I each took a Nilgai at the King Ranch last March. My son used a 300WM shooting a 180 grain Barnes TTSX. At less than 100 yards off sticks, it was a head on chest shot, so no exit wound. The nilgai did not even take a step once he was shot, just dropped in place. I shot mine with a 7mm PRC shooting a160 grain Hornady CX round at a little over 200 yards if memory serves. It was a broadside shot and I shot through his heart. It was a pass through and the guide was impressed. He said many bullets dont exit. The nilgai ran roughly 50 yards if I remember correctly.

I would recommend getting as close as you can (thats the fun part to me anyway) and using a bullet that would more likely give you a blood trail. Lastly, study shot placement on where the vitals are. Cheers and good luck, let us know how you do!

 

[miket1]

I have only killed one, off the King. As others have said, they are spooky and it's hard to get close. I am not a fan of long shots, it takes the fun out of it for me, I guess that's the bowhunter in me. I did get very lucky and shot mine at about 80yds with 338 WM, 225gr Corelokt. Bullet was under offside skin. Didn't run far, but surprisingly hard to see in the brush and grass. Buddy shot his bull and a cow with 7mm Mag with the same results, but farther away.

Some of it IMO is, as others have said, their vitals are farther forward, and the sad fact is many people just can't shoot unless they are on a bench.

 

[Green Chile]

As you have heard, the right bullet in the right place is super important. My son and I each took a Nilgai at the King Ranch last March. My son used a 300WM shooting a 180 grain Barnes TTSX. At less than 100 yards off sticks, it was a head on chest shot, so no exit wound. The nilgai did not even take a step once he was shot, just dropped in place. I shot mine with a 7mm PRC shooting a160 grain Hornady CX round at a little over 200 yards if memory serves. It was a broadside shot and I shot through his heart. It was a pass through and the guide was impressed. He said many bullets dont exit. The nilgai ran roughly 50 yards if I remember correctly.

I would recommend getting as close as you can (thats the fun part to me anyway) and using a bullet that would more likely give you a blood trail. Lastly, study shot placement on where the vitals are. Cheers and good luck, let us know how you do!


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Good shooting by your son (and you). That's a great setup for nilgai or most PG...300 and 180 TTSX. Has he hunted Africa yet?

 

[miket1]

 

[dchum]

Dchum asked who I booked my hunt with? Since I have questioned the advice of the outfitter on a public forum and since he still knows more about Nilgai that I do, I am going to refrain from sharing his name at this time. Suffice to say it is a well established operation with very good history. He just has a strong bias against TSX type bullets. I get that. It just seemed odd.

Well I’ll double down haha.

It sounds like you are hunting with Tony Medina as he is the only Nilgai guide I know of that says Barnes would be bad because it goes all the way through?

Sounds like he’s in the boat of “if it exits then it’s not dumping it energy in the animal”.
Which we know is small brain thinking.

Do you know about the property you are hunting? Make sure you know what a mature bull looks like as many guides just have you shoot a bull to get paid.

I just want you to have a good hunt and great first experience. Nilgai hunting is a passion for me.

 

[Throwback]

Good shooting by your son (and you). That's a great setup for nilgai or most PG...300 and 180 TTSX. Has he hunted Africa yet?

Thanks sir. Yes he has hunted S. Africa when he was 14, as well as Spain a year later. I am quite proud that for a young man (now 16) he has a few international destinations under his belt, as well Texas hunting. We are hunting black bear in Idaho in June, so obviously looking forward to that. I just returned from a Namibia trip yesterday and need to get something posted here on that. This was a solo trip but one hell of an experience. Will post soon. My son with his Kudu below. Cheers

 

[pilar]

Well I’ll double down haha.

It sounds like you are hunting with Tony Medina as he is the only Nilgai guide I know of that says Barnes would be bad because it goes all the way through?

Sounds like he’s in the boat of “if it exits then it’s not dumping it energy in the animal”.
Which we know is small brain thinking.

Do you know about the property you are hunting? Make sure you know what a mature bull looks like as many guides just have you shoot a bull to get paid.

I just want you to have a good hunt and great first experience. Nilgai hunting is a passion for me.

Yeah this is sound advice be careful on some of the guides , use a reputable company
Many are shooting immature bulls at night and trespassing has become common
“
arrested a local hunting outfitter and two others for illegally guiding nilgai hunts on private property. The suspects used airboats and thermal optics to take clients on hunts for the exotic animals, operating a sophisticated scheme and profiting from illegal activity.

The individuals have been charged with hunting exotic animals without landowner consent, theft of exotic livestock and engaging in organized criminal activity.

The arrests were the result of a nearly year-long investigation by Texas Game Wardens in the Rio Grande Valley area. Warrants were served on multiple properties simultaneously and were executed with the support of multiple game wardens, including the Texas Game Warden Rural Operations Group, as well as Homeland Security Investigations, due to the organized criminal activity aspect of the case.

The case remains under investigation and no further details are available at this time.””

I