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The Nilgai that Got Away #5491673 12/22/14 01:57 AM
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Last winter I went Nilgai hunting with a buddy of mine. Both of us got shots at Nilgai. I completely missed. My buddy shot his at 150 yards with a 338 Win Mag using 250 grain Barnes bullets. This animal fell back, and buckled, then took off running like a wild mustang. We tracked this animal for four hours, finding bone, blood, and muscle. We never found him. We came back the next morning and tried to track him again, but after another four hours our guide called it, and that was it.

At this point I'm hesitant to go back for Nilgai because I saw the shot, and I saw the animal buckle, but when he left, he was gone. Does anyone have a picture or diagram to show me where these animals should be shot? Also, for those of you who have taken Nilgai, do you have any recommendations for guides or ranches?

Thanks

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5491969 12/22/14 03:50 AM
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Break down the shoulders and lower third, the vitals on them are more forward and low compared to a whitetail. Neck shots work best IMO when possible. Double shot outfitters are the nilgia gurus.


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Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5492070 12/22/14 04:46 AM
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I should have gone with Double Shot. He tried to get me to book with him but I had already put a deposit down somewhere else. My mistake. Hopefully he'll forgive me!

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: BBD84] #5492689 12/22/14 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: BBD84
Break down the shoulders and lower third, the vitals on them are more forward and low compared to a whitetail. Neck shots work best IMO when possible. Double shot outfitters are the nilgia gurus.
BBE84's advice=MONEY

Granted, I shot my cow in the head and she went no where except to the back of the truck grin .

Also, don't stop shooting till ur nilgai is down. Kinda like African dangerous game and water buffalo, minus the attacking part.

Good luck, they taste great and are a fun hunt. up

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5493961 12/23/14 01:36 AM
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Biggest mistake was using barns bullets. I understand they spend a ton of money marketing them, but they are just about the worse bullet I've ever come across. I fell for their marketing, but after shooting a few animals, I realized just how poorly they perform.

Eddie

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5494128 12/23/14 02:41 AM
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Eddie,

I tend to agree with you for Nilgai. I think that the animal is so tough that the petals are shed rather quickly, leaving nothing but the solid portion of the bullet to continue to penetrate. If I were to do it again, I'd just go with a Nosler Partion or Swift A-Frame.

I pulled a Barnes out of the hid of a bull Oryx that my daughter shot with a 243 at about 90 yards and it had shed two of the four petals. The oryx was dead, but my daughter can really shoot. Oryx ain't no Nilgai though!

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5494148 12/23/14 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted By: Hunter Gatherer
Eddie,

I tend to agree with you for Nilgai. I think that the animal is so tough that the petals are shed rather quickly, leaving nothing but the solid portion of the bullet to continue to penetrate. If I were to do it again, I'd just go with a Nosler Partion or Swift A-Frame.

I pulled a Barnes out of the hid of a bull Oryx that my daughter shot with a 243 at about 90 yards and it had shed two of the four petals. The oryx was dead, but my daughter can really shoot. Oryx ain't no Nilgai though!



Congrats to your daughter on her Oryx. A .243 will kill an Oryx but I'd say that's a little light for the job. You can hunt and kill deer all day with a .22 but if the shot isn't perfect you have a problem. Just my .02


A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Elkhunter49] #5495209 12/23/14 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: Elkhunter49
Originally Posted By: Hunter Gatherer
Eddie,

I tend to agree with you for Nilgai. I think that the animal is so tough that the petals are shed rather quickly, leaving nothing but the solid portion of the bullet to continue to penetrate. If I were to do it again, I'd just go with a Nosler Partion or Swift A-Frame.

I pulled a Barnes out of the hid of a bull Oryx that my daughter shot with a 243 at about 90 yards and it had shed two of the four petals. The oryx was dead, but my daughter can really shoot. Oryx ain't no Nilgai though!



Congrats to your daughter on her Oryx. A .243 will kill an Oryx but I'd say that's a little light for the job. You can hunt and kill deer all day with a .22 but if the shot isn't perfect you have a problem. Just my .02
Sir, at the end of the day, it's all about shot placement. I shot a small cow oryx and a mid sized nilgai cow with a 22-250. Spine and head shots, respectively. Just mine 2cents (The purpose of this is just to share a story and viewpoint, not to start an Internet "baby fight" about and animal can't be too dead lol. up)

Btw, Barnes really didn't work well? Huh, that's pretty surprising. My uncle shot his cow once perfectly, then took to what I said earlier-shoot till they're down. Emptied all 5 shots, with the fifth hitting the front leg because of lack of blind opening!! Lol. Granted it was a 30-06 BAR grin

I like the power points and plain Jane soft points(Hornady, Federal Premium). Of course, most of my rifle's other bullets are varmint type and wouldn't work well against thick skinned nilgai.

Good luck to you!

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: chital_shikari] #5495770 12/23/14 08:58 PM
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I shot a big bull where the neck meets the body. He was a bill bull and went straight down with a .300wsm using federal NP 165 grain.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: EddieWalker] #5496099 12/23/14 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted By: EddieWalker
Biggest mistake was using barns bullets. I understand they spend a ton of money marketing them, but they are just about the worse bullet I've ever come across. I fell for their marketing, but after shooting a few animals, I realized just how poorly they perform.

Eddie



I've been using Barnes only for many years with no issues so that is disturbing to hear. Nothing is perfect for sure, I run all my Barnes HOT and everything I've shot drops within yards.

Hope you and your buddy go back and get one.. Nilgai is number one on my hunting bucket list..

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5496761 12/24/14 05:27 AM
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30-06 out too 300yrds has killed 7 nilgai this year shot placement is key!

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: EddieWalker] #5497086 12/24/14 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: EddieWalker
Biggest mistake was using barns bullets. I understand they spend a ton of money marketing them, but they are just about the worse bullet I've ever come across. I fell for their marketing, but after shooting a few animals, I realized just how poorly they perform.

Eddie



Well, have to disagree with this...Barnes are good bullets...I have shot a good bit of game with them. I prefer northfork, or cutting edge bullets now but would use a TSX bullet on a nilgai without any qualms. Nilgai are tough, but not indestructible. I have seen taken with a 25-06 and 270 with good results....shot placement. I have seen them run with 375...shot placement...I will tell you my 375 ultra mag hammers the stuffing them out them.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5497550 12/24/14 05:58 PM
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Over gun much? hammer

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: 505ed] #5497638 12/24/14 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted By: 505ed
Originally Posted By: EddieWalker
Biggest mistake was using barns bullets. I understand they spend a ton of money marketing them, but they are just about the worse bullet I've ever come across. I fell for their marketing, but after shooting a few animals, I realized just how poorly they perform.

Eddie



Well, have to disagree with this...Barnes are good bullets...I have shot a good bit of game with them. I prefer northfork, or cutting edge bullets now but would use a TSX bullet on a nilgai without any qualms. Nilgai are tough, but not indestructible. I have seen taken with a 25-06 and 270 with good results....shot placement. I have seen them run with 375...shot placement...I will tell you my 375 ultra mag hammers the stuffing them out them.


I have to agree that Barnes bullets are a good bullet. I use them in my muzzleloader and rifles. Not sure what happened with Eddie, but I would have no qualms using a Barnes bullet on any type of game.m

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5500731 12/26/14 08:02 PM
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Hey bud sorry to hear about the one that got away! Unfortunately it happens with nilgai, and you are forgiven! LOL Earlier this year we had Mauser and Hornady and a few writers come down on a nilgai hunt to test their products with us and I will say one thing, the combo of the .300 win mag with a Hornady Superformace knocked them in the dirt. Same with the Mauser 9.3x62 with the Hornadys. We are now sponsored by Mauser and have both a .300 win mag and a 9.3x62 for our customers to use. However, Barnes has actually given us the most exit holes out of any other bullet. I would say 90% of the bulls shot with Barnes have given a heck of a blood trail and an animal laying within 50 yards! Let me know if you guys want to chase them again, its almost "Unoffical" Nilgai Season and we are ready!

On shot placement, their heart is protected by the thick shoulder. Ive seen multiple ones get shot with a .338 and all run being hit right in the shoulder. The best shot is quartered away and tuck it in right behind the shoulder to get the heart. However if broadside, hitting behind the shoulder and double lunging works out great! The shot placement on nilgai really bugs a lot of people and makes them over analyze where they need to aim forcing bad shots. A double lung with a good solid expanding bullet that will give an exit will give you a dead bull in a short trail.

Anybody that wants to try what I am saying, give me a call and we will put you on some bulls! LOL aim


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Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5501029 12/26/14 11:52 PM
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Dang Chit, you sure are talking, er typing, a lot of "chit" about bullets and shot placement for one so young and inexperienced. bolt

Not taking away from your experience but you might want to rein it in a little until your resume is a bit longer and more varied. rolleyes


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Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Double Shot Outfitters] #5502014 12/27/14 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted By: Double Shot Outfitters
Hey bud sorry to hear about the one that got away! Unfortunately it happens with nilgai, and you are forgiven! LOL Earlier this year we had Mauser and Hornady and a few writers come down on a nilgai hunt to test their products with us and I will say one thing, the combo of the .300 win mag with a Hornady Superformace knocked them in the dirt. Same with the Mauser 9.3x62 with the Hornadys. We are now sponsored by Mauser and have both a .300 win mag and a 9.3x62 for our customers to use. However, Barnes has actually given us the most exit holes out of any other bullet. I would say 90% of the bulls shot with Barnes have given a heck of a blood trail and an animal laying within 50 yards! Let me know if you guys want to chase them again, its almost "Unoffical" Nilgai Season and we are ready!

On shot placement, their heart is protected by the thick shoulder. Ive seen multiple ones get shot with a .338 and all run being hit right in the shoulder. The best shot is quartered away and tuck it in right behind the shoulder to get the heart. However if broadside, hitting behind the shoulder and double lunging works out great! The shot placement on nilgai really bugs a lot of people and makes them over analyze where they need to aim forcing bad shots. A double lung with a good solid expanding bullet that will give an exit will give you a dead bull in a short trail.

Anybody that wants to try what I am saying, give me a call and we will put you on some bulls! LOL aim


Hope the guys over at Mauser gave you a M03 to use, and not one of those crappy M12s... smile. All joking aside, they are good friends of mine. 9.3x62 should do the deal on them...could not think of a better selection for Nilgai.

Ed

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5506105 12/29/14 04:31 PM
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if you found bone on the trail, i think the shot was lower than the should and in the leg. nilgai are tough but a bullet in the right spot and they are done quick. my go to round was the old fail safe winchester 180gr out of my 300 wsm. many a client went home with nilgai due to that combination.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: BBD84] #5506186 12/29/14 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: BBD84
Neck shots work best


my experience says this ^^^^

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5516601 01/03/15 05:19 AM
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Adam, thanks for the knowledgeable advice. I appreciate the information on shot placement, and I'm glad to know that you have had success with the Barnes bullets as well. I'll definitely look you up when it comes time to go chase those critters again. Good hunting!

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: EddieWalker] #5516622 01/03/15 05:35 AM
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Originally Posted By: EddieWalker
Biggest mistake was using barns bullets. I understand they spend a ton of money marketing them, but they are just about the worse bullet I've ever come across. I fell for their marketing, but after shooting a few animals, I realized just how poorly they perform.

Eddie




That is BS post of the year and it is only the 2nd day of year.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5516637 01/03/15 05:40 AM
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The Nilgai is no tougher than the animals in Africa and the Barnes bullet performed as expected all one shot kills from 7/08 including giraffe, kudu, gemsbok, black and blue wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog no sir not the bullet Barnes is a fine bullet.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5519109 01/04/15 08:25 PM
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We have a saying around here, "Once you go Barnes you never go back". I've never lost an animal using Barnes TTSX. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything with them.


I prefer meat in it's original packaging.

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Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: BBD84] #5519160 01/04/15 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: BBD84
Break down the shoulders and lower third, the vitals on them are more forward and low compared to a whitetail. Neck shots work best IMO when possible. Double shot outfitters are the nilgia gurus.


This pretty much sums it up. Guys used to hunting WT usually put it too high and too far back.

Biggest thing is to stay in the scope and put another one in him if he even acts like he might get back up. Many stories of bulls dropping at the first shot then getting up and taking off, never to be recovered. Many bull skeletons tucked up in the brush near water holes where they eventually died as a result.

My favorite Nilgai load was a 225gr Accubond in .338 Win Mag. However, seldom had an exit hole.

Re: The Nilgai that Got Away [Re: Hunter Gatherer] #5537993 01/12/15 08:43 PM
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I may be able to go on a hunt for a nilgai. Thoughts on using a 7MM Mag?

Last edited by Texican; 01/12/15 08:54 PM.
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