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Bullets for Nilgai #6201631 02/27/16 08:48 PM
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Fellows, I've probably beaten this subject to death, but I picked up a new rifle the other day and I wanted to ask about 338 bullets. Those of you have have consistently hunted or guided for Nilgai, I wonder what you think of the Hornady Interbond? I can get factory loads for my rifle in 225 grain, and my rifle shoots them pretty well. I could reload, but I always love to have a factory round available just in case.

And not to be rude, but please, no stories about some guy who killed 19 of them with a 223. We're all impressed but I'm specifically wondering about 338's.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6201633 02/27/16 08:52 PM
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chital_shikari Offline
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My uncle had good luck with Barnes TTSX out of a 30-06, if that helps.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6201751 02/27/16 10:58 PM
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Chital, I appreciate it. I'd love to use a 30-06, but most of the ranches that provide Nilgai hunts require a minimum 300 Win. Mag. This includes all of the popular guides that frequent this site, and several that don't.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6201919 02/28/16 01:30 AM
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I use Barnes TSX for virtually everything. I've never shot a Nilgai, but in 338, I'd go with an expanding TSX. In a larger caliber, I suspect the Barnes copper solid would be a good choice.


Steve
Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6201991 02/28/16 02:26 AM
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Sirroco and dont look back. I have plenty of field experience to back the claim up.


“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."


Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202057 02/28/16 03:11 AM
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Not only do I see great performance from Barnes TSX, but weight retention is nearly 100% and copper is less toxic than lead. For game that I eat, I am concerned about lead fragmentation in the meat. Is this a concern that others have? Scary stuff to me. My apologies if this diverges from the central focus of the question (Nilgai 338 bullets).

http://huntingwithnonlead.org/lead_in_meat.html


Steve
Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202176 02/28/16 04:25 AM
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I have used Barnes and Berger bullets.

They both did the job.

I was using 338 and 300 rum, 7nm STW

I loved the Berger bullets from
50 yard shots to 1,000 yard shots

Bergers had the knock down I was looking for.

Mind you it is not a meat friendly bullet.

I personally shot 16 Nilgai in 1 week with a 300 rum with 210 Berger and the furthest Nilgai ran 50 yards most dropped within several steps

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202222 02/28/16 05:38 AM
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The Interbond would be a fine choice for Nilgai. Tough bullet with a bonded core. They are very similar in performance to Nosler Accubonds, which I've killed several Nilgai with in .338 WM. 225gr was my choice as well. If your rifle shoots them well I say go for it.

Last edited by TxAg; 02/28/16 05:39 AM.
Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202227 02/28/16 05:48 AM
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TSX or ttsx

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202228 02/28/16 05:51 AM
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Originally Posted By: Hunter Gatherer
Chital, I appreciate it. I'd love to use a 30-06, but most of the ranches that provide Nilgai hunts require a minimum 300 Win. Mag. This includes all of the popular guides that frequent this site, and several that don't.



I assure you any of the deer calibers is fine with Barnes and I have never heard someone require a .300 win mag minimum. My daughter would thump a nilgai with her 7/08 and 140gr TSX.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202229 02/28/16 05:52 AM
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The 30/06 and 150gr ttsx would be a fine combination on a nilgai

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202292 02/28/16 12:58 PM
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My 7MM whetherby mag 160 accubonds worked for me so I would think any weight inter bond would also
okiehuntr

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202305 02/28/16 01:19 PM
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The Interbond should be fine. Any bonded or copper bullet out of a 338 should work. I just went through the same thing you are. I settled on the Barnes TTSX out of my 300 Win Mag. The shot was great and we found the bull less than a 100 yards away. The blood trail was almost nonexistent and you couldn't tell the bull was hit while he was running away. From what I have been told, this is pretty normal. Now, I see why 300 is often the minimum. I just bought a 9.3x62 for the next trip. I think you are on the right track with the 338 and bonded bullets.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6202958 02/29/16 01:20 AM
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I have shot a bunch of them years ago. shot placement is key. Use a solid bullet. Caliber is not as important. Some ranches will require more than 7mm etc. Generally if it starts with 3 and ends in magnum you will be fine, however, I have shot one with a 257ai and it killed it no problem.


Good is the enemy of Great
Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6203197 02/29/16 03:20 AM
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hornady GMX

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: BMD] #6204713 03/01/16 03:10 AM
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Originally Posted By: BMD
Originally Posted By: Hunter Gatherer
Chital, I appreciate it. I'd love to use a 30-06, but most of the ranches that provide Nilgai hunts require a minimum 300 Win. Mag. This includes all of the popular guides that frequent this site, and several that don't.



I assure you any of the deer calibers is fine with Barnes and I have never heard someone require a .300 win mag minimum. My daughter would thump a nilgai with her 7/08 and 140gr TSX.


If that were only true I'd hunt them with a 270. Wildlife Systems does not allow anything less than a 300 Win Mag. Neither does Lomas Chicas or All Seasons. I'm pretty sure Double Shot Outfitters requires a 300 Win Mag or more but I don't want to speak for them.

If you know of a reputable guide service with a low fenced ranch in South Texas that allows for less than a 300 Winnie, I'd love to know about it and I'm not being a wiseacre I really want to know.

And thanks!

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6204977 03/01/16 01:21 PM
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Our hunts are free range on 10,500 acres of the Yturria Ranch. Up until last year, we would not allow anything less than a .300 win for bulls. Now, due to a number of lost animals and our commitment to make every effort possible not to wound these extremely tough animals, we require no less than a .338 for bulls. We actually provide .338 and .375 guns and ammo at no extra charge for our hunters. Of course, a smaller caliber will kill them no doubt and I have personally killed many with a 30-06 and .300 but when you hunt the number of animals we do year in and year out, we err on the side of caution and go with a bigger bullet due to our respect for the animal.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6204993 03/01/16 01:31 PM
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Bullets are more important than calibers, IMO.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6206137 03/02/16 02:00 AM
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I would recommend a interlock or accubond. I shot mine with a 160gr Accubond out of a 7mm.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Jgraider] #6206425 03/02/16 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted By: Jgraider
Bullets are more important than calibers, IMO.
X2

I shot 2 nilgai cow with a 30-06 and a 22-250, respectively.
The first was with the 22. 64gr Power Points right in the face, as she sat in some thick brush. Piled over dead.
The second was at about 80yd with 150gr Fusion. High neck shot. Also piled over dead.

Put a solid, penetrating bullet in the right spot and they don't go anywhere.

Search up Karamojo Bell. He used to use solid bullets out of 275 Rigby, 303, and a couple of other medium bore rifles for culling elephants in Kenya(?). And this man shot well over 800 of them in his years in the British Army.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6206467 03/02/16 07:04 AM
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There is a reason why a lot of places require minimum cal requirements and its to increase the clients chances of a clean kill and harvest. Its a double edge though. A lot of people dont shoot magnums well, and i fall in that category too. With that said a lot of calibers can kill lots of animals but a 22 cal is not an adequate caliber. Sure ive shot plenty of hardy game with a 22-6ai and a 75gr sirocco, but its what i had at the time. I love that round and tout its abilities 24/7, but wouldnt be my first choice and especially not a std twist 22-250 and the winny 64gr. Ive let clients use less than desirable calibers one two conditions. First, they understand that if they draw blood and there isnt enough muscle its on them. Lastly, if they tell me they just dont shoot a magnum well but show up with a gnats a$$ accuarte rifle like the 30-06 or 7-08 and the proper bullet for where they will shoot ill work with them,but they always shoot when they get there. Talk to the ranches and explain why you want to use a certain cal and that you assume any responsibility that if it is lacking in muscle and it doesnt do the job its on you.

Last edited by jorge; 03/02/16 07:08 AM.

“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."


Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6206642 03/02/16 02:02 PM
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I don't think you would have any complaints with the interbond. Interlock is a different critter and in my mind is something I wouldn't want to use, they tend to come apart easily.


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Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6206690 03/02/16 02:36 PM
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7mm Remington Magn with 160gr Nosler Partitions. Great combo for Nilgai or anything else on the NA continent.


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Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #6207431 03/02/16 11:41 PM
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Thanks friends. I appreciate your thoughts. Good hunting to all of you.

Re: Bullets for Nilgai [Re: Mike Honcho] #6207837 03/03/16 04:56 AM
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Originally Posted By: jorge
With that said a lot of calibers can kill lots of animals but a 22 cal is not an adequate caliber. Sure ive shot plenty of hardy game with a 22-6ai and a 75gr sirocco, but its what i had at the time. I love that round and tout its abilities 24/7, but wouldnt be my first choice and especially not a std twist 22-250 and the winny 64gr.
If this is directed to my comment, it was not my intent to advertise the 22 caliber round as a round to be used on nilgai. The only reason that was in there was to emphasize shot placement. Find a bullet that your gun likes and penetrates well, and practice practice practice. That obviously doesn't mean get the smallest gun in your armory and piss off a nilgai.

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