2022 Winter Nilgai Hunt

[cabelasken]

You need a different guide - anything from a 7 MM up with the proper bullet put in the proper place will drop em. A 300 will certainly do the trick. I've found that any animal with its adrenaline up will stay on its feet a few seconds longer than an unalert animal. My gunsmith told me of a bull elk that was taken by his father in British Columbia. This hunter was a world class benchrest shooter and he and the guide got to within 500 yds of a nice bull. The first shot was a picture perfect shot behind the shoulder. The bull's head started to drop after a few seconds and the guide sent a challenging bugle towards the bull. The bull postured up alert and ready to fight. The hunter seeing the bull staighten up immediately sent another round right next to the first. again the bull's head started to lower. The guide sent another challenge towards the bull and again the bull postured up and looked around for the challenger. Before a third round could be sent, the guide stopped the shot and said no more would be necessary. The bull fell over about 8-10 seconds later. I know I've made some really bad shots before, but because the animals never knew i was there, they fell in their tracks. Other times I've had animals run nearly 100 yds from perfectly placed shots when the animal was being chased.

 

[bmg50]

Guys I.m going on my first Texas Nilgai hunt. My guide service is unimpressed with my 300Wm. What caliber should I take? I was told cows top out at around 500lbs and shots are under 300yds.
I could use your input please

300 wm is perfect. I have hunted all over the world with mine. Barns tsx 180 gr. 1 shot kill.

 

[Chas1]

Your 300wm will be plenty. Especially if its under 300yds. We used to shoot cows with 270's up to 300wm's out to 4-500 yds. I would use a 7 rm with 160gr Partitions or Accubonds. With a high shoulder shot, they would drop like rocks. Shot placement and using the right bullet and you will be fine. IMO, your guide service doesnt know what they are talking about.

+1. 300 WM is plenty, assuming good shot placement.

 

[Foster Hunter]

This is the question I ask: Do they run after being shot ?? Moose typically do not run, so I use my 6.5CM, and they get shot twice. Yes I shot a moose through the lungs with a 6.5CM. Big mature Cow. She started walking away, so the 2nd shot was in the a$s. But it was an unnecessary shot. She was dead on her feet from the 1st shot. 140gr accubond. The accubond bounced around her rib cage.

Forest Hunter very confusing statement. You've killed 20 with a 300 WBY but alway felt under gunned. Really?

First cow in pics ran about 250yds with top of heart blown off big open field easy to find. Wife's bull went about 160 shot with 35 Whelen 225 tsx at about 230 yds went next bull went about 425 yds shot at 180 yds with 300wby 180 tsx shot a hair higher then I'd like Every time you pull the trigger on one youre in for a ride and have to cut a check.

 

[Foster Hunter]

First pic is three of the five rounds recovered on my first bull. All in the vitals. Second is a big bull that made it about 250 yds if he would of made it another 10 we would of never found him. Third is a cow I dumped at about 250 yds through the shoulder let her sit for about 20 minutes as I walked up on her I saw her head pop up which is the lower neck shot. She then started running off and third shot went through neck. Went down but still took a while to die. They can still run plenty fine on three legs. Other cow didn't make it far. If they are in a big open field like last pic. Caliber selection isnt as big of a deal. But you are normally in some thick stuff. I prefer a slightly quartering away shot behind the shoulder. Last is five shot group of why I like to keep using the WBY.

 

[Tom Wright]

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Guys I.m going on my first Texas Nilgai hunt. My guide service is unimpressed with my 300Wm. What caliber should I take? I was told cows top out at around 500lbs and shots are under 300yds.
I could use your input please

When I replied earlier, I left out something important regarding my nilgai/oryx hunt. I've always have felt it's important to note what your bullets do inside the animal. Well, the Swift A-frame bullets basically disintegrated the lung tissue in both animals. They basically were dead the moment they were hit. So it was verification that a 300 WM will work on both a 500+ animal and the 450# oryx.

 

[scazasm]

Guys I.m going on my first Texas Nilgai hunt. My guide service is unimpressed with my 300Wm. What caliber should I take? I was told cows top out at around 500lbs and shots are under 300yds.
I could use your input please

So, I have never hunted Nilgai but saw a hunting show. I have taken 7 elk all with .06. My daughter got her first elk at 283yrds with 7mm.08. Shot placement is more important than caliber without being ridiculous. So as long as you are good with your 300, it is a good choice. I used to be one who underestimated todays bullets mattered that much and had reservations regarding 7mm08 taking an elk humanely. Now I believe the right bullet (Trophy bonded etc.) placed properly matters most. I hope you have a great trip and at least in TX you can almost always drive up to your kill and not spend a whole day retrieving your game.

 

[TexasSportsman]

.30-06 will bring them down. ELD-X 178gr is enough.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

When in doubt - UPSIZE !

 

[Mike Matteson]

That 300WM should do the job. I shot a 308 Norma Mag with 165grs and taken several elk out 300+yds. Down in one shot except for one and that was bullet placement wasn't right. Second round did the job. Bullet placement is the name of the game.

 

[Tommy T]

Your 300 will work I have kill 3 of them , I was shooting a 338 lapua with a 300 gr. Accubon I would shoot a a 180 gr. Accubon if you have it

 

[wonderman4]

Just to show about shot placement: A buddy was on the King Ranch with his Dad. The guys there at the ranch offered them a nilgai hunt as a freebie. The buddy only had his 222 Rem loaded with a 50 gr. bullet. One shot behind the ear took it down on the spot. The guys at the ranch said "no one knocks one down with one shot. What are you shooting?" When he showed them, they said "well let's put that back in the truck and get something a little bigger".

Woodleigh makes a nice 30 caliber 240 gr bullet (Weldcore Protected Point). I have some loaded up for my trip to hunt Nilgai.

 

[GrayCreed]

Jack O'Connor said you could kill anything in the western hemisphere with a .22 a 12gauge and a 30-06.... You are over gunned with the 300wm

 

[GrayCreed]

Also Eskimo kill caribou/seal/walruses with a 22-250 and save the high price 270 ammo for brown/polar bear