texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,020
Posts9,719,467
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Nilgai Medicine #7054528 01/27/18 02:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
S
scottfromdallas Offline OP
THF Trophy Hunter
OP Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165

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?



Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054539 01/27/18 02:30 AM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,228
D
dredd Online Content
Pro Tracker
Online Content
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,228
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.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054549 01/27/18 02:37 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
S
scottfromdallas Offline OP
THF Trophy Hunter
OP Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
The 9.3x62 has killed a lot of large game over the last 100 years so it certainly has the best pedigree.



Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054558 01/27/18 02:44 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,546
J
JCB Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,546
Someones kid in the photo section shot one with a 243 without issue recently. I see no problem with any of the above.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054562 01/27/18 02:48 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
T
TFF Caribou Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
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
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054568 01/27/18 02:50 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 315
T
trigger time Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
T
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.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054572 01/27/18 02:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432
T
TFF Caribou Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,432


The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: TFF Caribou] #7054580 01/27/18 02:56 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,546
J
JCB Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,546
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou


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.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054591 01/27/18 03:08 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
S
scottfromdallas Offline OP
THF Trophy Hunter
OP Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
What a bummer. I thought they were bullet proof.



Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054618 01/27/18 03:25 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168
T
Tactical Cowboy Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
T
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168
Pick one.


The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: JCB] #7054621 01/27/18 03:26 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
C
chital_shikari Offline
Minor in training
Offline
Minor in training
C
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
Originally Posted By: JCB
Originally Posted By: Tff caribou


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.
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: chital_shikari] #7054637 01/27/18 03:40 AM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,228
D
dredd Online Content
Pro Tracker
Online Content
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,228
Originally Posted By: chital_shikari
[quote=JCB][quote=Tff caribou]
and they died pretty dead.


Sorry.
I just had to.

No disrespect Sir.

I was going for humor.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7054650 01/27/18 03:49 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
N
Nogalus Prairie Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
N
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.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: Tactical Cowboy] #7054856 01/27/18 02:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
C
ChadTRG42 Online Happy
THF Celebrity
Online Happy
THF Celebrity
C
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,907
Originally Posted By: Tactical Cowboy
Pick one.


^^ This. Out of those 3, all are capable. I'd lean towards the 350 or 9.3.


[Linked Image]
Custom and Precision Ammunition!!
https://DallasReloads.com/
Type 01 and Type 06 FFL
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7055472 01/28/18 01:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 190
O
Okie Newton Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
O
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 190
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.

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7055989 01/28/18 06:45 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632
5
505ed Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
5
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

Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7056217 01/28/18 11:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
C
crash700 Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
I say use the 9.3x62, its a proven round in Africa and has been for a long time.


Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7056382 01/29/18 01:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
B
booradley Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
B
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
Took mine with a .270 and would do so again.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7056881 01/29/18 02:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
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
Re: Nilgai Medicine [Re: scottfromdallas] #7056931 01/29/18 03:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,174
T
txbigly Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,174
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.


Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3