Nilgai Antelope - Blue Bull

I've only killed two Nilgai bulls, but they are two of my favorite handgun kills. They are big and tough, and to me, the best table fare of any game animal that I've taken. These Antelope were described as the ultimate handgun trophies is many of The Sixgunner newsletters. To me, these animals are the Ultimate tests for your handguns and bullets.

Wicked cool! 😎

Here's my wife with a Nilgai Ham

I only got to eat some of the burger from one but I heard the steaks were unbelievably good. Neat trophy though.

Large Tough Impressive Creatures. Nice coloration on this one.
Well done!

What did you shoot it with? Beautiful trophy!

The nilgi is one of those trophies where an 1/4" can make a difference in score which is why I will always say that the two bulls David took in the above photos are exceptional.
Especially the first one... As with any animal bullet placement is paramount with the nilgi. My bull took a 50 caliber 400gr Woodliegh JFP square in the boiler room, jumped straight up, and ran 100 yards and lay down. Took a few more 400 grainers before he gave it up. "Tough dog".... It would be interesting to see if any of the other members have also taken a nilgi and what was their experience...The bottom photo shows the 500WE, loaded rounds and recovered bullets...

Congrats nice looking bull.

The first Nilgai bull was shot with a 335 gr Clearwater Custom bullet..they called them Rhino Penetrators. They were RN and if you listen to "the experts" they were all wrong...1 shot from my Competitor 50 AE, and I dropped it..1 and done...the second Nilgai bull was shot with a 340 gr Woodleigh Protected Point Weldcore...1 shot...the bull ran a bit on a mad dash death run, but collapsed and was out...another 1 shot kill...bullet placement as always is very critical

Tool`s of the trade..... especially for nilgi... My 500WE by Freedom and S&W`s 22 mag loaded with 40gr FMJ bullets
David Franchise can tell you more about his Competitor...

I know that when I read articles about Nilgai hunting from the Founding Fathers of Handhun Hunting (JD Jones, Larry Kelly, Doc Rodgers, and even the modern day Ayatollah of Handgun hunting Mark Hampton) I had to hunt one myself...

Nilgai and Barbary Sheep or both on my hit lists

David Nice Animals!! Real Trophy is 4 pictures down...
She is as sweet as tea!

Rocky, I couldn't agree more!!!

Congratulations on 2 fine handgun trophies! I saw them several times when I lived there but never got a chance to hunt them, seemed to be very spooky. Two with 2 shots is great work on your part, great job!

Dick

Thank you very much...there's just something about those Antelope..devil horns and Turkey beards..they are very unique animals and the best part is the year's worth of great meat

Fine animals and great trophies! On my list....

Great trophies. JD had a HHI handgun hunt back in the old days on the Kenedy Ranch. He took 5 or 6 HHI members. We killed a cow and bull each. I think the total price was $1000. Ate them, too. Tasted great. JD was my hunting partner. I couldn't believe I was hunting with The Man. He saw me kill both mine. I was in my infancy of handgun hunting. Nervous as heck. Dropped both with one shot from my .375 JDJ Contender.
What was even cooler was that JD & Hal Swiggett were my room mates. Wished I'd recorded all the stories they told. JD snored like a son of a gun, but I didn't care. I was in a state of bliss!

I never contemplated shooting a nilgai, until I saw one in the flesh. One might find it's way on to my short list someday. They are a unique animal for sure. And a tough handgun trophy no doubt.

I have read in hunting publications, that appropriate rifle cartridges start at .300 Mag and upward, with .338s or even .375s considered ideal. That would make tackling one with a handgun a daunting task. WELL DONE GUYS!

Nice animals guys

What a good excuse for another XP-100

Well...I do have a rear grip 300 RUM SP

I know they are free range in South Texas. Are they also free range in South Carolina?

They are not free range anywhere in the US other than in Texas

I have put in for a couple state sanctioned free range hunts, unsuccessfully. I?ll keep trying.
Not an animal I?m interested in taking in a reserve.

A free range Nilgai would be one heck of a handgun hunting trophy...keep trying and good luck.

Awesome! I've never shot one, but I have eaten them. Delicious!

very nice trophy!

Thanks guys!

Nice bull! The more I see of them, the more I want one.

You definitely need one Craig! They are the Ultimate Handgun Hunting trophy in my opinion. They are big, tough, and extremely wary....and they are DELICIOUS