Nilgai Cartridge

I read most of Chad's thread regarding shot placement versus cartridge and the take away that I got is that most any non-magnum centerfire round will do for typical Texas game. I am from out of state and trying to put together a Nilgai hunt for next year. From what I have read Nilgai are tough buggers that can soak up lead even in the vitals. Is the non-magnum take away applicable to nilgai? The cartridges I have to chose from are:

35 Whelen
308 Win
7-08
270 Win

I can shoot all 4 of them comfortably and accurately but due to the rainbow trajectory of the Whelen do not like to push it past 250 yards.

Out of those 4 which would be the round of choice for a free range Nilgai hunt?

For me it would be the Whelen but I have always liked the round even though I have never owned one. I do have its short action counterpart the 350 Remington Magnum and would not hesitate to use it either.

I am sure the experts will be along shortly to guide you down the right path. However, I know a few guys that shoot Nilgai regularly, and they like big guns, with .338 Lapua being top choice. You are correct, they are pretty tough animals, and the country they inhabit is full of things that will poke, bite, or sting you. The aforementioned guys like their Nilgai DRT, no tracking required. Not saying a smaller caliber won't do the deed, but I would err on the side of bigger.

Whelen if you have it.

The 35 whelen is perfect! I have used a number of different rounds and found the 9.3x62 and 338 win mag about perfect.

Of the choices you listed, the 35 Whelen would be the best pick, and a good one. I personally know guys that have taken multiple Nilgai with a 300 Win Mag and 180 grain Accubond. Ranges were from less than 100 yards to just over 300 yards. A guy we knew needed multiple Nilgai animals taken (for free), and they made a weekend of killing several of them until their coolers could hold no more. They had some good stories and some cool shots.

Nilgai are tough animals and have a thick hide. That would be an animal to step up to a bigger round, like a magnum of the sort. But the 35 Whelen would be good with the right bullet choice. A 225 or 250 Accubond or Partition, or 225 or 250 grain A-frame, even a basic 250 grain SP. All those would be good choices in the 35 Whelen.

Nilgai are no snowflake. Hit'em with everything you got, like the kitchen sink to start with. As has been mentioned, they can take some punishment and still run off into the thick stuff. I guess if you were born to run among the tigers, ya gotta be tough or you will be lunch.

Good luck

With the 350 Remington the 225 partition at 2700 i my load of choice, it has taken elk, mule deer, whitetails and up to 3 hogs with one shot. the 350 doesn't play well with the Accubonds but the Whelen does and they would be my first choice for the Whelen but any of the ones Chad listed should of course work well.

I had a 30-06 rebarreled to 35 Whelen specifically for Nilgai and bear. Haven't hunted either one yet, but plan on laying some hogs down with it and maybe some Axis. 200 gr Federal fusion for deer and hogs and 225 gr Accubonds for Nilgai and bear.

Of those, the Whelen. I killed one last year and he refused to die it seemed. I had a good shot right in the vitals and he folded up with one shot from the 300 Ultra. The guide said he had not seen one just fold like that before. It still took a couple of shots from the pistol up close to finish him off. The thing that stands out to me is their skin. It closes up where the bullet enters and they don’t drip much blood. The guys down there where I killed it prefer the 375 H&H. That being said, they put two shots in one with it and never found it in 6 hours the day I killed mine.

A whole lot of elk are shot with all of those cartridges. I bet they all would work just fine on nilgai.

To solve your trajectory worries on the 35, you could change the scope to a Mil based reticle and learn the holds. 100 to 300+ yards won't be an issue.

Whelen for sure. I use a 9.3x62(similar to the whelen) but have also used a 300 win mag. I would personally prefer to go with a 30-06/7mm mag as a minimum. The one I shot with my 300 spun around and neither of us could tell he was even hit by his reaction. He ran 80-100 yards with very, very little blood and it was a full passthrough. I'm not saying you can't get by with less but you have about the perfect Nilgai gun already. I wouldn't think you should have to shoot far enough to cause any trajectory woes.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Looks like the Whelen is the overwhelming favorite. I have a load worked up that shoots sub moa with 250 grain partitions at +/- 2500 fps that i use for bear that also sounds like it might be good nilgai medicine based on the feedback.

^^^ That will work just fine! Good luck on your hunt!!!

You made the best choice - many would say a near-perfect choice as long as your range is not super long.

35 Whelen for sure. FYI, buddy of mine and a member on here has killed two Nilgai with 30-06. Bull and a cow. 180gr I believe.

I've seen both sides of the discussion. My buddy shot a Nilgai bull in the ribcage last year with his 30-06 and it went about 10 yards and crumpled up.

I shot a Nilgai cow on the same hunt right in the lungs with a 7mmag and she ran beyond our ability to follow her. Just would not die and eventually stopped bleeding and she was still really moving. We lost her. The ranch I was hunting was pretty much overrun with them and likened them to hogs, so they didn't really care, but I didn't get another shot at one so I was mad.

They are tough animals for sure, but I think it gets a little overblown.

I had one coming in at me head on. I shot it with my 308 Win in the chest just below the neck line at 100 yards probably. It started to run then I hit it again broadside behind the front shoulder. It probably ran 50 yards and then dropped. It is a tough animal. It was dead after the first shot but didn't believe me.

If your going on a guided hunt I would check with the guide. Most outfitters require a 3oo Mag or larger for Nilgai. They have extremely thick skin and it seals up quick. Nothing like a elk.I use a .378 Weatherby Mag and it folds them up like a card table if you hit the sweet spot. PM me if you dont have a hunt booked and Ill share some info with you.

I wouldnt be scared of taking the 270 with some tsx barnes

Me neither.

270 with 130 grain bullets

Nilgai

This is right, I have hunted Nilgai for years now, my absolute favorite thing to hunt. I killed 17 I believe it was last year and that was a slow year. They are tough with a thick hide that almost seals back up after a shot. Hardly ever do you find blood. And you usually have about 3 seconds once they see you before they decide to take off and run 20 miles. Most ranches will require a minimum of 300 win mag, and prefer you to shoot something like .375 if you can or they will loan you one. The 35 Whelen will be just fine. Especially if you already own it and are comfortable with it.

I've killed several, including some big bulls with a .300 wsm Barnes 165ttsx, but .338WM is my favorite. Have to shoot in the shoulder to get vitals and a little extra helps brake them down.

30-06 165grain

saw 3 bulls about 75yds of us77 50miles north of Harlingen on Thurs, cow and calf about the same place Fri. The bulls were almost twice as big as the cow, not that much taller but way heavier.

I have killed 3, all with a .270.