2026 Texas Nilgai Hunt - Choosing a Rifle?

[Altitude sickness]

Stupid question.

I’ve read many times how Nilgai get lost due to thick grass and brush.

Why don’t they use a trained tracking dog ? Snakes? Cactus?

 

[dchum]

Here is a short vid of a 180gr. Partition from a 300wby. Shot that was to far back and high. But it stunned the spine and hit the liver some how. He was sick

(P.S that is not me speaking lol - Me just going along with a client praising Roy Weatherby Part of the job!)

We were able to put another shot in and end it. He was anchored for the time being.

So even though I love Barnes I understand SOME other stuff works well. but maybe not as good

 

[skydiver386]

Why not think of this hunt the same way you would an Eland hunt in say Namibia or Botswana?

Big tough animal that may require a long range shot.
A bonded or copper projectile that needs to hang together and penetrate deeply.
A scope in the 2-10X range with lighted reticle to stand out against the dark Bulls that may possibly be in thick brush.

I think a .375H&H may be to hot.
A .300 Win may be to cold.
The .338 Win 225gr X might be just right.

Add a Swaro or Leupold 2-10X42 and job done.

 

[dchum]

Stupid question.

I’ve read many times how Nilgai get lost due to thick grass and brush.

Why don’t they use a trained tracking dog ? Snakes? Cactus?

Many people do. The outfitter I worked for had blue Lacey’s and some curr mix. We would use them to decent success. Mostly baying very wounded Nilgai and allowing us to get one more shot. GPS collar on the dog so we can finally catch up as they don’t wait for you.

You must train them to scent for Nilgai first when they are young. And many times they trail scent and not blood. It takes a special dog and many blue Lacey’s are passed until you find one interested in Nilgai.

A lot of great outfitter don’t own dogs. If you lost a game animal - there are many dog men in the area that do recovery and you could have them come out on your own dime.
Common practice in Texas for deer and exotics.

 

[dogcat1]

This will sound crazy but I used a .416 Barrett because the guide had one and said it was fun to shoot. Well, it was loud and extremely powerful. Used a very large bullet (750grs ?) and this thing weighed in at 75 lbs on a tripod. I would never shoot one again but it was fun once.
The nilgai died quickly.

In reality, a .300 WM, .30-06 or the like should be fine.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Why not think of this hunt the same way you would an Eland hunt in say Namibia or Botswana?

Big tough animal that may require a long range shot.
A bonded or copper projectile that needs to hang together and penetrate deeply.
A scope in the 2-10X range with lighted reticle to stand out against the dark Bulls that may possibly be in thick brush.

I think a .375H&H may be to hot.
A .300 Win may be to cold.
The .338 Win 225gr X might be just right.

Add a Swaro or Leupold 2-10X42 and job done.

Good advice Sir. The Nilgai looks a lot like an Eland but smaller, closer in size to a larger Blue Wildebeest, or a Kudu. I am told by guys who claim to know that the thickness and toughness of Nilgai hide is similar to Cape Buffalo hides as this antelope evolved from being hunted by Bengal Tigers similar to Buffalo being hunted by Lions. That is part is why blood trails are sparse and often bullets do not pass all the way thru.

I like bonded and copper bullets. I think bonded core bullets expand more violently and may often kill just a little faster where the copper monos like TSX and CX type penetrate better and expand less but very reliably over a wide range of distances. For hunting both work well for tougher game. I am most likely going to use the Nosler AccuBond as long as I can get satisfactory accuracy out of them.

 

[skydiver386]

I'd try the Swift A-Frame for a bonded type bullet, but it's hard to like something with such spotty availability.

The Nosler will likely do a fine job, and are much easier to find.

 

[Twraska]

Daughter hunted King Ranch. First trip guide was hesitant to let us use a .270 pushing a 150 grain bullet. Second trip the guide let her use a 25-06 pushing 90 grain. She hit it at 200 yards, in the lungs and it ran about 40 yards. Your mileage may vary

 

[Green Chile]

One key factor is not being able to see where they run sometimes with those oak mottes between you and them. If you could watch them run and fall, that would be far easier.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I'd try the Swift A-Frame for a bonded type bullet, but it's hard to like something with such spotty availability.

The Nosler will likely do a fine job, and are much easier to find.

I like the A-Frame and have about half a box of 300g A-Frames for the 375 left from a recent Safari but, they were reloads that were sized a little off and I have had a few of them misfire on me. I will only use those for practice because of that. They do work well when they go off.

 

[shootist~]

Below is a cut and paste from an informational letter my Nilgai outfitter sent me prior to my Jan-2025 hunt. Just food for thought.

"We have had very good luck with the Barnes Vor-TX ammo or if loading your own, then load the TTSX or LRX bullets. The Berger “HYBRID TARGET” works well also. Federal Premium with the gold tip has proven to be good as well as the Terminal Ascent.

The New Hornady CX round may prove to be a good bullet also.

It’s our believe for instance, if using the 375 HH round or one like it. That you may want to drop to a 235-250 grain bullet in order to get more velocity. We think that velocity is the ticket for these very tough critters. They have a will to live like no other."

 

[Trophyhunter01]

I have taken two, one with 300 RUM 180 grain Accubond and one with a 375, both one shot kills. Walking and stalking should provide a shot 100-200 yard range. The hide is think on those animals and boiler room more up front like African game. I have hunted them with bow and arrow a couple times and no luck for me but one guy in camp killed two in one day with a 55 lb recurve bow so really all placement of the shot.

 

[jnotzon]

@dchum is the oracle. A truly seasoned Nilgai hunter. Your .375 will do great with the right bullet. If you want a new gun just for the trip to make new memories with the base model Bregara .30-06 we used got the job done well.

Can’t wait to see pics from your trip! You will have a great time! Such a rewarding hunt!

Old old bull - Dagga boy if you will…

30-06 165gr. Hornady gmx. Zipped right through his ribs. Double lung - ran 70 yards and died

Don’t over think it! Oh, And shoot copper

 

[JG26Irish_2]

@dchum is the oracle. A truly seasoned Nilgai hunter. Your .375 will do great with the right bullet. If you want a new gun just for the trip to make new memories with the base model Bregara .30-06 we used got the job done well.

Can’t wait to see pics from your trip! You will have a great time! Such a rewarding hunt!

I have an old vintage Husqvarna Swedish Mauser in 30-06 that is one of the most accurate hunting rifles I have ever seen. It simply shoots everything I feed it well. I should have taken it to Africa this year but got distracted by another rifle that fell into my hands. I only got the Husky about a year ago and while I deer hunted with it some last year, have never taken game with it yet. It would have been a great Nilgai choice if our outfitter would allow it. With 180g Swift Sciroccos it is still right at 2000fps at 400y and printing about 2.25" at 400y. I know all of these will work if you can place your shots well. I sincerely appreciate all of the inputs and comments. It is too hot to get out and hunt at the moment so at least we can talk about it.