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Nilgai Medicine
#7054528
01/27/18 02:21 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175 |
In the mid 90s my buddy introduced me to Nilgai steaks. I have to say they were awesome. It's been over 20 years since I've had those steaks but I remember them being one of the best game meat I've ever tasted.
My hunting trips are planned for this year but I will absolutely go to South Texas in 19 for a Nilgai.
I have 3 rifles that should be able to handle them.
Ruger 77 Hawkeye in 338 Federal- Although this is the smallest caliber, it shoots really well. I'm thinking 210 Partitions at 2600 fps would be a good load as would factory 200 grain Trophy Bonded Tips.
Ruger 77 Mark II in 350 Rem Mag- This one is a fun because it's a nostalgic American cartridge that was a commercial failure but has cult like following. I can drive a 200 grain TTSX in 2900-3000 fps range. The bullets are not the highest BC but 200 grain 35 caliber TTSX has a massive hollow point. It should easily open wide and penetrate deep.
CZ 550 Full Stock in 9.3x62- This one is a cool rifle and has the most juice. I can drive a 250 grain Accubond to about 2550-2600 FPS from it's 20.5" barrel. I can go up to 285 Partitions and still get around 2450 FPS.
I'm thinking for a cow, any would work fine. For a bull, the 350 Rem Mag and 9.3 would have a little extra security.
What does the THF recommend?
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054539
01/27/18 02:30 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,229
dredd
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,229 |
Well.... Just so we can start an argument..... I choose the CZ because I love heavy boolits moving pretty fast. Kinda why I built a 45 Raptor.
Distance is always a consideration, as you already know.
Let the kicking & screaming begin.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054549
01/27/18 02:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175 |
The 9.3x62 has killed a lot of large game over the last 100 years so it certainly has the best pedigree.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054558
01/27/18 02:44 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548
JCB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548 |
Someones kid in the photo section shot one with a 243 without issue recently. I see no problem with any of the above.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054562
01/27/18 02:48 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,439
TFF Caribou
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,439 |
Never hunted them or seen one in the wild but I thought anything in the 30-06 or above was plenty of gun.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054568
01/27/18 02:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 315
trigger time
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 315 |
I've shot them with 300 mags shooting 180 balistic tips back in the day, and 7's. Bullet placement and catching them unalert means way more than the howitzer your shooting. There not any harder to kill than most game of their size. But you are correct in that its some fine eating. Every year I tell myself I need to go chase them again, but so far ive stayed stocked up on elk.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054572
01/27/18 02:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,439
TFF Caribou
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,439 |
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#7054580
01/27/18 02:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548
JCB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548 |
That's the one I was thinking of. Some reason I thought it was a 243. Still a weakling caliber considering how tough these animals are suppose to be.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054591
01/27/18 03:08 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175
scottfromdallas
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,175 |
What a bummer. I thought they were bullet proof.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054618
01/27/18 03:25 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179 |
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: JCB]
#7054621
01/27/18 03:26 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
chital_shikari
Minor in training
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Minor in training
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547 |
That's the one I was thinking of. Some reason I thought it was a 243. Still a weakling caliber considering how tough these animals are suppose to be. I shot a cow in the face with a .22-250 3 or 4 years ago. I think just about anything can be killed with anything, in the right scenario with the right shooter and shot. From my experience, nilgai can be killed with calibers much smaller than the ones you've listed. I would say .350 because of the load associated with it: we've killed 2 nilgai with 150gr .30-06 factory rounds (which are labelled at 2900fps) and they died pretty dead. One was killed with TTSX, the other with Fusion. A 200gr TTSX at that velocity sounds really good for a big blue bull. I think your best bet would be to ask someone who kills em for a living. The exotic hunting section has a few reputable outfitters.
Last edited by chital_shikari; 01/27/18 03:30 AM.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: chital_shikari]
#7054637
01/27/18 03:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,229
dredd
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,229 |
[quote=JCB][quote=Tff caribou] and they died pretty dead. Sorry. I just had to. No disrespect Sir. I was going for humor.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7054650
01/27/18 03:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Use the 9.3x62. No particular reasoning, I just bought one and would like to see how you like it.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#7054856
01/27/18 02:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954 |
^^ This. Out of those 3, all are capable. I'd lean towards the 350 or 9.3.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7055472
01/28/18 01:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 192
Okie Newton
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 192 |
Pick the one YOU are more comfortable with. I know a gent that has shot several with a 7mm mag. Another bud uses a 300 wby with 180gr factory ammo.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7055989
01/28/18 06:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632
505ed
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632 |
Well,
I have taken with a 375 Ultra mag (not needed-but worked), 338 win mag--just about perfect, and a 9.3x62...I have seen them taken with a 270 win , 7 rem mag, 300s of various types. I will say any you have listed will work like a charm...remember to shoot further foward..follow the front leg up and shoot in the center of the shoulder...use a good bullet...a 338 with a 250 northfork will wreck one...
Ed
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7056217
01/28/18 11:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,412
crash700
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,412 |
I say use the 9.3x62, its a proven round in Africa and has been for a long time.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7056382
01/29/18 01:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
Took mine with a .270 and would do so again.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7056881
01/29/18 02:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
If 35 caliber bullets where more popular my 300 wby would be a Remington 700 in 350 rem mag.
Id go with the 350 and 225 grain partitions
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Nilgai Medicine
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7056931
01/29/18 03:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,178
txbigly
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,178 |
I just got back from a Nilgai hunt and would use my 270 all day long but if you use a outfitter they will require a 300 or larger. They dont bleed much and hard to track in the brush. You wanna knock them down on the first shot. I use a 378 Weatherby Mag. Overkill ? Maybe but they drop in their tracks.
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