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Nilgai with a 30-06? #7768344 03/11/20 02:32 PM
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hotsoup Offline OP
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new guy here, first post. wanting to go on a nilgai hunt and want to use my 30-06 with 180gr partitions. i've used this same combo for 12 or 13 elk, but have been reading about some places having a 300 win mag minimum for nilgai. i understand they are tough, have thick hide which stretches, tend to run off long distances, and that their kill zone is a bit forward than that of a whitetail and elk. so, my question is....does anyone know of an outfitter who will let me use my 06'? thanks.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768364 03/11/20 02:54 PM
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You should be ok with good shot placement.

The 180 grain accubond is a bad bullet I use it in my .300 win and it crushes Nilgai sized game.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768366 03/11/20 02:55 PM
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Also study shot placement their votes are lower and farther forward than a deer


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768368 03/11/20 02:57 PM
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Last year the place I went said .300 Win Mag was the minimum. The guys that went this year said it was changed to 338 as a minimum.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768396 03/11/20 03:21 PM
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A lot of outfitters shoot them running out of a high rack. Thus the recommendation of a bigger caliber.

One outfitter I know has killed 100 with a .30-06.

They don’t stand still long, but if you can get one standing follow his front leg 1/3rd of the way up his body and put the bullet there and you have a dead nilgai.

Like with hogs, Americans have created this myth that Nilgai are nigh indestructible beasts that you need a howitzer to dispatch


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768415 03/11/20 03:37 PM
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I have zero doubts on its effectiveness at cleanly killing a nilgai. Being your comfortable with it, have experience with it and want to take it that would be my recommendation. I would coordinate with your guide just to make sure all parties are ok.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768542 03/11/20 05:23 PM
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I have been fortunate to take more than a dozen and have never lost one. Most were on the run but with sensible shots. More than half were taken with a 270 shooting a 140 grain bullet.

With said, I have turned these duties over to 300 with 180 grain bullets.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768558 03/11/20 05:38 PM
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A lot of these people think magnums make up for bad shooting. Most bad shooting is the result of shooting magnums you can't handle well.

My friends in Namibia have a 200K ranch, and due to the bad drought the last few years, they wanted to cull one thousand gemsbok and kudu in a six week period. Their choice of weapons was a 30-06 with 180 gr bullets.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: Blank] #7768729 03/11/20 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Blank
A lot of these people think magnums make up for bad shooting. Most bad shooting is the result of shooting magnums you can't handle well.

My friends in Namibia have a 200K ranch, and due to the bad drought the last few years, they wanted to cull one thousand gemsbok and kudu in a six week period. Their choice of weapons was a 30-06 with 180 gr bullets.


.30-06 is extremely popular in Africa.

My PH told me after we hunted, that he cringes when a client shows up with a 7mm or .300 mag. Most guys just don’t know how to shoot them constantly accurate.

Imo a .30-06 is much more suitable as a elk or big antelope rifle than a deer rifle


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768740 03/11/20 07:32 PM
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You can definitely take one with an -06, but finding an outfitter that will let you is a different story.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768821 03/11/20 08:29 PM
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Lots have been killed by 223's in the neck. 30-06 will do just fine. Last one killed on my lease was with a 308 with the low recoil ammo. Dead with one shot.

Last edited by glocker17; 03/11/20 08:31 PM.
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7768827 03/11/20 08:33 PM
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Shoot a good bullet & you will be fine with a 30-06.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: DUKFVR] #7768919 03/11/20 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DUKFVR
Shoot a good bullet & you will be fine with a 30-06.

With a partition he's got a good bullet covered!


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: DUKFVR] #7769067 03/12/20 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by DUKFVR
Shoot a good bullet & you will be fine with a 30-06.


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________

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Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: ETexas Hunter] #7769217 03/12/20 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted by ETexas Hunter
You can definitely take one with an -06, but finding an outfitter that will let you is a different story.


And I think the OP's question was NOT whether an 06 would work, but "does anyone know of an outfitter who will let me use my 06'?".

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769267 03/12/20 03:18 AM
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Blank's 1st paragraph is absolutely spot on.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769342 03/12/20 10:30 AM
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Talk to your guide / outfitter . The person I contracted for a Nilgai hunt with also said 338 minimum caliper but said if I was comfortable with my rifle (300 WSM) he was OK for me to use it .


Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769502 03/12/20 01:52 PM
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I personally know of one Nilgai cow that was killed with a .300 Blackout. Wasn’t planned that way, but a target of opportunity. Did just fine with a good bullet placement.

Last edited by Adchunts; 03/12/20 03:04 PM. Reason: Spelling
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769531 03/12/20 02:15 PM
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30.06 is plenty!

Here’s one my son got with a .300BO.

[Linked Image]


You should have been here yesterday!
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769549 03/12/20 02:37 PM
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Check with King Ranch. I talked to them DSC and they had no problem with me using a 300WSM and the guy I was talking to said he routinely takes them with a .270.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7769603 03/12/20 03:34 PM
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Dropped one in a single shot over 225 yards with a 30-06. Break em down.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: goosebuster] #7770080 03/12/20 10:18 PM
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hotsoup Offline OP
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thanks for the responses. i'll contact the king ranch. sounds like they might be one of a few who will consider allowing a client to use an 06. thanks again.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: txmudder] #7770086 03/12/20 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by txmudder
30.06 is plenty!

Here’s one my son got with a .300BO.

[Linked Image]


Congrats to your son (and you)...good looking animal up


Originally Posted by Phil Robertson
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7770255 03/13/20 12:47 AM
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That's a great pic Judd. Congrats to you guys.

Re: Nilgai with a 30-06? [Re: hotsoup] #7771196 03/13/20 08:48 PM
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Agreed, great shot and kudos to the young hunter! I shot my first Nilgai bull earlier this year and used a friend's .375 H&H because it was handy and a smooth shooting rifle. I asked the outfitter if I could use my .270 and he puked all over it, but after killing and butchering the big bull I'm convinced my trusty .270 would have been just fine. By the way, that .375 took out the entire upper half of the heart and turned it into mincemeat.


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