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Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... #5998400 10/28/15 02:23 PM
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cameron00 Offline OP
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Took grandpa's old 7mm mag out to the range yesterday to get it dialed in. Plan was to get it on target with less expensive Winchester Super X and then dial it in with the Nosler Accubond I planned on using for the hunt. About 4 shots into the Winchester, I was 3 inches high at 100 which is exactly where I wanted to be. Put 3 through the size of a quarter and was happy.

Let the barrel cool.

Started shooting the Nosler Accubond. My gun does not like it. Grouping circumference was about 5 inches and very inconsistent. The range officer out there I have known for awhile and he is an excellent shot, I've handed him my other gun before and watched him put half a dozen shots through virtually the same hole. He didn't get any better performance than I did.

Do I just roll with the Winchester Super X for the hunt? Try out some Barnes rounds?

What would yall do? Hunt is only a couple weeks away.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998408 10/28/15 02:27 PM
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your thinkin about it to much... roll with what works

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998409 10/28/15 02:27 PM
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when are you going?

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998415 10/28/15 02:30 PM
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What bullet weight are the Winchester loads? If they are 150 gr or lighter, then keep looking.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998432 10/28/15 02:43 PM
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5" at 100 is pretty large. But so is a Nilgai. If you are inside 200 yards, it's about 11" group or smaller, which is still a kill shot on them. I could send you some sample loads to try with the AB to try and dial in the load to your rifle.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998433 10/28/15 02:44 PM
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I like messing with bullets and I reload so that side of me says find something else. The simple side of me says if you put what you got where it needs to go you wont have any problem at all.

Ill play my broken record and say buy you a box of Nosler partitions grin

Second choice would be barnes vortex or similar.

Have fun and post pictures.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998482 10/28/15 03:23 PM
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I would try some Nosler Partitions. I have an older rifle which won't shoot hardly anything worth a flip, but it shoot 180gr partitions excellently.

Good performance on Nilgai as well.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: redchevy] #5998533 10/28/15 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
buy you a box of Nosler partitions grin



up

Years of success with African and other big game.


To be determined
Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998732 10/28/15 06:18 PM
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Every rifle has it's ideal combination of powder type, burn rate and bullet weight. I think you found the ideal combination with the Winchester ammo and you are wasting your time going with anything else. Remember that there is very little difference between different bullets, it's 90 percent sales hype. Ignore what you read and rely on what actually has proven to work for you and your rifle. I would rather have a bullet hit dead on every time, then one that others say works better, but shoots all over the place. Also remember that in the field, those one inch shot groups will never happen and it's very likely that you will be lucky to get a five inch group under hunting conditions. Which also means that the five inch group you where getting using the so called better ammo will probably give you a 20 inch group in the field.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998756 10/28/15 06:34 PM
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Anyone ever shot a Sellier & Bellot load?

I found a box of 175-gain Nosler Partitions by Sellier & Bellot at a store during lunch, but the ballistics on the bullet seem like the drop is pretty severe for 7mm mag. Like 24 inches at 330 yards. Seems pretty bad.

I read the reviews online and they were pretty positive, so I went ahead and bought the box, but I'm a bit nervous now.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998824 10/28/15 07:26 PM
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2" high at 100 yards should put you dead on at 200 and 9" low at 300 if the bullets are spitzers.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998833 10/28/15 07:31 PM
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The Partitions are a dog when it comes to BC (drag). If it shoots, run it! BC doesn't come big into play until about 400+ yards anyway.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: ChadTRG42] #5998838 10/28/15 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
The Partitions are a dog when it comes to BC (drag). If it shoots, run it! BC doesn't come big into play until about 400+ yards anyway.


But in killing power they are like the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem yingyang


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998851 10/28/15 07:42 PM
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I can't deny that it's a proven performer!


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5998963 10/28/15 08:41 PM
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Long range shooting has clouded a lot of good hunting knowledge. I loaded some ammo for a friend, and he ask me "What's the BC?". This guy shoots maybe 1-2 deer a year and half a dozen hogs...at maybe 140 yards max...and he is worried what the BC is. Sorry for the rant, but long range "shooting" has more to do with shooting, and less hunting. I enjoy shooting at 400+...it's fun, and challenging but this segment of shooting sports has clouded hunting in general. Everyone assumes that if you want a bullet now it must be a secant ogive VLD, or if you want a scope it must have turrets and a objective big enough to pull all available rays of the sun in.

I have shot a lot of game with swift a-frames, and nosler partitions, they work, and work well. I will also say that most of the game I have taken, was well under 250 yards. Why? I stalked to within shooting range. Looking range shooting is great practice, and will sharpen your skills to a level that puts a lot of game in reach that was not just a few years ago...but in a way I hate what it has done to hunting as a sport...sorry for the rant again on this thread, but seems like long range shooting comes up, in almost every thread..

In short if Partitions work...I'd use them. With nilgai I would use the heaviest for caliber bullet in the rifle of choice I could. I have a friend that has taken 4-5 with a 270 weatherby. He uses a 150 grain grand slam. Good bullet, and it puts it in the right place. He is an excellent shot. Personally I like a bigger bore rifle. I have used various 375s and 9.3x62...I have had poor results with Hornady interlock bullets on large antelope, so I stick with the premium stuff.

Ed

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5999151 10/28/15 11:17 PM
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I wouldn't be a happy with a soft point for nilgai or a 5" group. Your on the right track finding something else. Any bonded or mono metal should be fine. I would try to be in the 160 grain or up with a 7mm mag.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5999180 10/28/15 11:38 PM
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TTSX will put em down.
Fusion will put em down.
This is out of a 30-06, 150gr.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5999207 10/28/15 11:52 PM
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Taking it back to the range at lunch Friday. 175 grain nosler partitions.

I was misreading the ballistics chart, it should be fine. If my gun likes these...

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5999427 10/29/15 01:42 AM
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Just try new bullets. I would go for something that shoots accurately and is heavy. I'm wanting to go after nilgai here pretty soon but I've heard most outfitters don't allow accubond and want a bonded solid bullet. I've heard nilgai are tough but I put down a mature bull elk at 580 yards with no problem with a nosler accubond so I'm hoping the outfitter allows them since my gun likes them.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #5999818 10/29/15 12:03 PM
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Every outfitter for nilgai has their own ideas and rules. You need to talk to yours. Nilgai are super tough but they're not bullet proof. After the shot, don't admire your handiwork. Keep pumping lead into him. If his back leg is kicking, he's probably about to get up and run off.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: Sq2 hunter] #6000043 10/29/15 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: Sq2 hunter
Just try new bullets. I would go for something that shoots accurately and is heavy. I'm wanting to go after nilgai here pretty soon but I've heard most outfitters don't allow accubond and want a bonded solid bullet. I've heard nilgai are tough but I put down a mature bull elk at 580 yards with no problem with a nosler accubond so I'm hoping the outfitter allows them since my gun likes them.



Sir, in my experience some outfitters don't allow Ballistic Tips. I have never run across one who does not allow Accubonds (bonded core bullet) and can show several Nilgai, including the bull in my sig, who met their death to an Accubond. In every case the bullet performed exactly as designed and was found in the opposite-side hide. Not many exits on Nilgai bulls unless it is a TSX.

Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #6000052 10/29/15 02:17 PM
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There are a lot of people in this world who don't give two chits about what bullet is what. To some any tipped bullet is a ballistic tip, no matter how wrong they are. My father is one of them.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #6001339 10/30/15 06:51 AM
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Shot placement is most important. Bullet choice is 2nd. Not that i would do it again or even recommend, but i took a nilgai bull at 200 yds with a 22-6mm ai and 75gr swift sirocco ii. Nilgai are tough but so are many large bodied animals, elk, stag, oryx, eland and the 6.5x55 and 7x57 mauser have proven time and time with heavy rn soft points for years. Those werent bonded or running real hard. I personally wouldnt feel outgunned with 7 mag and your winchester ammo if its driving tacks. Be ready for that follow up shot too. Best of luck on that hunt.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: Mike Honcho] #6001442 10/30/15 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: jorge
Shot placement is most important. Bullet choice is 2nd. Not that i would do it again or even recommend, but i took a nilgai bull at 200 yds with a 22-6mm ai and 75gr swift sirocco ii. Nilgai are tough but so are many large bodied animals, elk, stag, oryx, eland and the 6.5x55 and 7x57 mauser have proven time and time with heavy rn soft points for years. Those werent bonded or running real hard. I personally wouldnt feel outgunned with 7 mag and your winchester ammo if its driving tacks. Be ready for that follow up shot too. Best of luck on that hunt.


The plus of a 6.5x55 or a 7x57 throwing a 160-175 grain bullet is they cant get them going fast enough to grenade on impact. A 7 mag is a different story. Speed is great, but it is the undoing of most cup and core bullets. If you slow them down to what the sweed or 7x57 throws heavy rounds at they will all hold toegether and penetrate for miles. As evidenced by your 22-6mmAI if you use a better bullet they will still do it going fast.


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Re: Back to my Nilgai hunt - bullet selection... [Re: cameron00] #6004516 11/01/15 03:31 PM
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Not being a critic but why 3" high at 100? Just curious about expected range of shot and bullet path with that sight in.

Good luck with the partitions. If they shoot in your rifle they are perfect for the job at hand.

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