I've never used specialized bullets, as my hunting past has been for thin skinned game (deer, hogs, pronghorn, and deer-sized exotics). Winchester, Federal and Remi soft points have served me well.

But I'll be going on a nilgai hunt in February and will need to use one of the bullet types listed in the subject line.

Most likely with go with my old Model 700 .30-06.

I'm all ears for your recommendations.

My Vanguard Deluxe .30-06 shoots ragged holes with the 178gr Precision Hunter ELD-X. I dropped my nilgai in his tracks with a 200gr ELD-X out of a 300Wby.

Barnes has TTSX in 168gr and 180gr. That flavor of -06 should spin that 180 up but if not try the 168.

I'd try the heavier 2 first & pick the smallest grouper.

Hammered my Elk last year with 300 win mag Core Lokts at 335 yards. Double lung and complete devastation. Bull didn't stand a chance. I've said it before on here but Core Lokts kill. Don't be shy of them.

Took my 7 mag with 175gr Partitions to Namibia for plains game. Kudu at 400, gemsbok at 200, zebra at 650, wildebeest at 200, waterbuck at 300, hartebeast at 250, warthog at 100, springbok at 350, baboon at 700 etc.... didn't lose a single animal.

I'm a 06 guy. For nilgai I recommend swift a-frame in 180 grains. Second choice is swift sirocco and third is 180 grain accubond.

Lots of good options out there. Hard to beat federal fusion for off the shelf ammo.

jmm said:

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I'm a 06 guy. For nilgai I recommend swift a-frame in 180 grains. Second choice is swift sirocco and third is 180 grain accubond.

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Took 300 wby and shot Nilgai, Wildebeest, and Oryx. All one shot kills and impressed the hell out of the guides with Nosler E-Tip. 180 gr.

I have a Vanguard .30-06 too that also shoots well with Barnes bullets. So far I have taken one elk with the 168 grain TSX started at 2880 fps. I handloaded mine but there are factory loads out there with this or the tipped TTSX version.

180 grain bullet I would think?

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and will need to use one of the bullet types listed in the subject line.

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Nonsense.

But you keep paying that premium for the feelz.....

I love my tikka 3006 shooting ELD-X 178 gr.

agsalaska said:

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Quote:

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and will need to use one of the bullet types listed in the subject line.

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Nonsense.

But you keep paying that premium for the feelz.....

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I get what you are saying.

However, when I'm discussing the hunt on the phone with the outfitter, and the discussion leads to ammo, and he makes his ammo recommendations and also shares what type of bullets aren't allowed, I'm listening.

SanAntoneAg said:

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agsalaska said:

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Quote:

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and will need to use one of the bullet types listed in the subject line.

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Nonsense.

But you keep paying that premium for the feelz.....

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I get what you are saying.

However, when I'm discussing the hunt on the phone with the outfitter, and the discussion leads to ammo, and he makes his ammo recommendations and also shares what type of bullets aren't allowed, I'm listening.

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I think I had a reading comprehension fail. I read it as if you were hunting deer or proghorn.

My bad. Delete post ban user.

Nosler partitions have a good reputation.

Probably the most famous hunting bullet ever made.

I just haven't got around to reloading it yet but first up for my 30-06 is the Barnes 175 grain LRX.

A friend of mine killed a bison with the 175 LRX in a .300 Winchester magnum.

montanagriz said:

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Nosler partitions have a good reputation.

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This is what I ended up ordering from Choice Ammunition in Montana. Once they come in, fingers crossed that at almost $5 a round that the Remi 700 likes them.

SanAntoneAg said:

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montanagriz said:

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Nosler partitions have a good reputation.

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This is what I ended up ordering from Choice Ammunition in Montana. Once they come in, fingers crossed that at almost $5 a round that the Remi 700 likes them.

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You ever shot their ammo? I tried some awhile back in 3 different calibers and couldn't get it to group. Sincerely hope it was a fluke and yours is awesome.

ETA: the 6.5-300 and 300Wby were in my opinion too heavy for my rifles, but the 22-250 is what burned my butt about 'em.

TdoubleH said:

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Hammered my Elk last year with 300 win mag Core Lokts at 335 yards. Double lung and complete devastation. Bull didn't stand a chance. I've said it before on here but Core Lokts kill. Don't be shy of them.

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I would defiantly be shy of corelocts on a Nilgai in any gun that did not start with a 4. I have never seen an exit wound from a .300 with partitions, and I have seen hundreds of them shot.

If you are going to use and '06 on nilgai, use a partition or a bonded 165 gn or bigger.

I have seen a .308 hit broadside in the ribs only make it thru one lung. A .300 win mag with 180 partitions I have seen stay in the entry side shoulder. It did not make it to the vitals.

An elk might be bigger than nilgai, but they are easier to kill.