Gold Mine Ranch:
A little background info on Gold Mine Ranch located in Midland, NC and run by a Mr. Gerald Almond who has been running this operation almost 40 years and has hosted a number of legendary hunting and firearm writers such as Clay Harvey, Rick Jamison, Finn Aagaard and Ross Seyfried. I was introduced to Gold Mine by member David Ihrie (aka Franchase)and also enjoyed hunting there with fellow members SChunter, Kral, AnnieX and JeffX.

Friends:
This was the 4th time hunting with David who was using his Competitor single shot with a new barrel in 475/350 Rem. Mag. He was testing a 400gr XTP on a very large feral hog in the 800lb. range. He has posted a number of photos on the bragging board which show the effectiveness of his new large bore handcannon. I, on the other hand, have never taken an antelope, native to India, known as a nilgai. I researched as many video hunts of nilgai as possible and found this animal to be very hard to put down, even with good shot placement.

handload:
After talking with David, who had already taken a nilgai with a Freedom Arms in 50AE using a heavy cast bullet, I settled on a 400gr Woodleigh Weldcore Flat Point. This is a bonded jacketed flat point bullet originally made for the S&W 500. Recommended impact velocity is 1500 to 2000fps. The crimp groove on the Woodleigh is much to low to properly fit the Freedom Arms cylinder so I ran a new cannalure with a tool by C-H into the 400gr jacket, which after seating, gave me a LOA of 1.712" that was enough to properly fit the FA`s cylinder. In Pearce`s article he uses 31.0grs of LilGun under a 400gr Sierra JSP for 1123fps. I dropped the charge one grain and used 30.0grs of LilGun under the 400gr Woodleigh for an estimated velocity of around 1100fps. The charge was ignited by a CCI large rifle bench rest primer. I tacked up a C-more target on a North Carolina pine at 25 yards and put the first shot dead center from a rest and iron sights. The 2nd dropped a few inches, but after some concentration, the 3ed hit close to the first and I was satisfied on its hunting accuracy.

nilgai:
The nilgai are a large antelope species, native to India, that stand 4 to 5 feet at the shoulder with the males growing sharp devil-like horns that grow up and curve slightly forward with average length in the 6 to 10 inch range. Males can weigh up to 675lbs. and are known to take plenty of punishment, a fact well known throughout the game ranches of Texas. I knew shot placement was to be of extreme importance requiring total concentration.

hunt:
As a handgun hunter I use every field rest available and for years have carried a small leather sandbag that has given me a stable platform to make my shot. The sandbag accompanied me along with my iron sight, 6" Freedom Arms 500 Wyoming, the 400gr JFP handloads and Mr. Gerald Almond as we put a sneak on an excellent nilgai. We kept inside the treeline with the nilgai 25 yards or so away in an open field keeping an eye on us when Gerald motioned for me to try and make the shot. I plopped down against a tree placing the sandbag on my drawn up knees when the bull started to move away from us. I had to repositioned myself when the bull stopped at 40 or so yards giving me a broadside...
Concentrate...this is a tough animal to put down, I kept telling myself and as if by magic the front and rear sights aligned just behind the front leg allowing me to make one of the sweetest trigger pulls I`ve ever experienced. I don`t remember the sound of the 500 going off but I do remember seeing the nilgai jump almost double his height and making a dead run across the field to the opposite treeline.

finish:
Watching him through my Leica 10x, I noticed the bull start to hobble after his 100 yard open field dash to the safety of the heavy woods. He stopped 20 or so yards into the trees and just stood there. "Give him a few minutes"... How many of us have heard those words from our guides after what looked like a good shot. I was beginning to see the well deserved reputation these antelope have as being tough customers because my first shot was good but this critter would not give up the ghost. Any whitetail or boar hit with that bullet in the same place would have expired long ago but our nilgai pulled his four legs under him and dropped to the ground with his head up just like any deer laying down for a rest while keeping an eye out for danger. Again we put a sneak on him stopping about 20 yards away allowing me to put another 400gr 50 caliber bullet into his shoulder which instantly rolled him on his side. That`s it....its over...No, not
quite yet. Amazingly he tried to pull himself up when I hit him again in the shoulder with another 400gr bullet and then another when his head finally hit the ground. However, when I walked up on him his eyes were blinking so I put a 22mag solid into the head to end the life of a magnificent animal.

the end:
Are nilgai antelope a tough animal to put down? YES.. As for the Woodleigh bullets, I can say with certainty that they are top quality and worth every penny you pay. They were driven 400fps below recommended velocity yet the average expansion size four the four recovered bullets is 0.806" while the average recovered weight for the four bullets is 397.4 grains. The weight retension is fantastic. However, it must be remembered that they were made for much higher velocities and how they will perform at 500 S&W velocities I cannot say but I can say that they have found a home in my 500 Wyoming regardless what speed I run them....

Bullet on right shows new cannalure to fit FA`s cylinder

Freedom 500 Wyoming with loaded ammo

Tools of the trade

Great story James and an amazing animal that could take that kind of punishment,congrats on a fine trophy.

That's awesome James. Those slugs look great!

I agree with Glenn. I hope to have the opportunity to hunt one of these majestic antelope down on the famous King Ranch someday, but until then...Congrats!

Very nice!

James,
I'm quite surprised at the expansion of the Woodleigh at that velocity. Looks good! Have you eaten any of the meat yet? I'd appreciate a report on the taste.
KRal, like you, I intend to hunt nilgai on the King Ranch. Haven't made any plans yet, though.

Congrats james! I found the nilgai article interesting in one of garys handgun hunting magazines. I had never really recognized them before that. I thought it looked like a good hunt. Apparently it is! Lol. Probably not in this lifetime....thanks for the report.

Very nicely done, James -- as usual! Congratulations!

After discussing this with James before he went, I got to thinking also again. I had sort of put Nilgai out of my mind for a while. You know, I was pleasantly surprised at the prices for the king ranch hunt. I will be in the area in the not too distant future so it may be a good option for the trip. I've heard the meat is good so I'd like to hear back on that also!

Thanks for the story James and lighting a new fire. Hahaha

Good job, James. I enjoyed the report, thanks.

Good show! Thanks for sharing James.

Nilgai is better than any Axis venison. It is that good!!

Glenn,
Maybe we can coordinate a duo.
Franchise,
Can you compare it to bison? I know axis can be quite good. Thanks.

Ken, that might work out depending on work schedule of course. That would be fun!

It is more tender than Bison, while still being very lean. If I could kill one every year, I would. They are honestly delicious.

How much meat do you typically get off of a Nilgai the size of James'??

Those animals must be part train.

Wow! That's saying a lot! I think Axis is one of the best meats available!

vary nice thanks

James - nice comprehensive write-up and once again, congratulations!!

Thanks guys for reading my story...

500WE -Ken, I was just as surprised with the expansion. I think its better I used the Woodleigh instead of the A-frame I told you about. The meat is like the sweetest deer meat you`ve ever had....

you know, I keep looking at these slugs. That has to be about one of the best looking jacketed bullets in existence. They say 1800 fps minimum for the 50 cal version but as we can clearly see from James' pics, I should be good at 1500 fps plus...I've found that the same bullet in a 500 grain persuasion can be had for the Alaskan. Woohoo! Thanks James, I can't wait to try this one in the Alaskan and I may even use it on a Nilgai just for kicks because I want to be like you when I grow up!!

I told James this was the best bullet on the market! Most Woodleigh's are. I am surprised I'm the only that knew this about these excellent bullets. They make a 405 gr for the 45/70 also. I have really enjoyed them in .375 & .416

I need to look at the 375s too. However, my 270 Barnes triple shocks are amazingly accurate in my rifle so I don't see me changing. James slugs make you want to try them though! He always gets the coolest recovered bullets! Mine always look like crap 50% of the time

I guess they weren't lying when they said nilgai can take some lead!

good shooting James, and great pictures and write up!

You guys are making me hungry reading about nilgai chops!

James, what made you choose the woodleighs over the sierra flatpoint and Swift A-Frames? because it's bonded?

I'm assuming the swifts were ruled out because they are only 325 grainers?
just curious. congrats again!