My dad was taking a bunch of clients out with a guide and the guide would not let anyone use anything below 300 win mag. Said it was because all the folks packing 7 mags and 140-150 grain old style bullets, thatdidnot penetrate good. My father was going to use a guide gun to shoot his bull but after he got to know his guide he told him to use his 270 winchester He killed two bulls, they all shot them on the run! Said they never stop runniing! Use a 150 mono bullet or 180 cup and core and go get a nilgai! I bought a tikka 300winmag to go nilgai hunting but was busy everytime got invited. I was going to use fusion 180 grain, as it shoots great in that rifle.

Nilgai are tough but their reputation is exaggerated for two reasons:
A) many shoot them on the run. Any adrenaline-fueled animal will go further when hit than their counterparts hit unawares.
B) typical deer hunters have poor shot placement and hit them too far back. They can go a long way in nasty brush when hit poorly.

I have taken several. Put a well-constructed bullet low and forward and you will have your bull. The '06 with 180 or 200gr will do the job if you do yours. And for goodness sakes immediately reload and put another one in him if he is still on his feet! Many a bull has been lost due to the hunter "admiring his shot" as the bull struggles to his feet and disappears in the brush.

It will do awesome. I have taken a 30-06 on Africa on 2 occasions and taken Nilgai size game with it with no problem...I used a a 180 grain Barnes x bullet, and also used 220 grain bonded core bullet also.

Here were a few hunts with my Blaser R8 semi weight in 30-06..


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xgRtS4XfK5g

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a5jISsAaNbk

Have fun on your hunt...

Ed

This thread has been very educational, and that^^ post made me laugh out loud!

The best most funny way I have seen to describe the old 06 on big heavy north American game it will get the job done but not without a little huffing puffing.

I once had the privilege of hunting on a large ranch that had Nilgai and lots of large bucks. The Ranch manager grew up on the ranch and the ranch owner was with us. As we drove around the ranch, we had a conversation about hunting calibers. I asked what they used and the ranch manager reached up and pulled down a box of 243 100 gr. Remington Corlokts as his preferred medicine. The owner also used a 243 with Remington ammo. This is not to say that the 243 is the ultimate hunting cartridge, but where guys are not under pressure to take every shot presented and hold their shots close, it was found adequate.
If your Outfitter demands a heavy caliber, then use it. If he doesn't, why not put in some practice time with your 308 so you will be at your peak during the hunt and use a well built premium bullet in 165 or 180 gr. that will shoot well in your rifle?

I did a quick check of the ballistics tables and the 180gr Nosler Partition Premium load from a 308 Win. is within 250 fps of the 300 Win Mag at 200 yards and 175 fps at 300 yards. I don't think the Nilgai will be able to tell the difference in a well-placed shot.

I wouldn't trade in a 308 for an 06

Sounds like shot placement is the key to these animals it appears

Most of the large antelope I have taken....have been taken with a 9.3x62 (maybe the perfect 300 yards and in med game cart) and 375's both RUM and WBY. I will say they work "better" if you stick it in the right place, but a 180-220 grain 30 cal slug will fell some pretty big stuff...I am going to try to go with double shot outfitters this spring for a big dark bull myself, I will be taking my 375 WBY...it's an old friend.

Ed

165 gr solid will do the trick.

180 Grain Barnes Triple shock (no lead) Will do the trick, bullet placement is the key.

Stop trying to interfere with this discussion by presenting real facts.

[s][/s]


quote altered a bit

Make sure you take several sharp knives... Hide is tough!

Quit stealing my lines.......

Besides I enjoy listening to the "new & improved" revelations...