I have booked a hunt for free ranging Blackbuck for next february. I also will have chance at a free ranging Axis at the same time. I am going to put a barrell on my Ecore, so I am open to anything. What caliber would you recomend. I am told shots are between 75 - 200 yards.
Thanks in advance,
W.

I've shot blackbuck with a .223 (~250 yards) and 6.5x55 (~120 yards); both worked well. I've shot axis with a .50 cal muzzleloader (110 yards) and .44 mag (~60 yards); both worked well. I'd be real tempted to use a .25-06 since you're getting a new barrel. Load it with 110 grain Accubonds or Interbonds and it'll shoot very flat for open country antelope (blackbuck or pronghorn, which you just have to go hunt ) and it'll hit plenty hard to knock down an axis (or a muley if you do a combo with your pronghorn again).

Any caliber less than .308 is more than enough. I second the .25-06 suggestion and a .270 is a great choice too. How about a .243?

Pretty much any cartridge that would be good for open country deer. 25/06 would be at the top of my list.

Woodsie,

If you are hunting them here in Texas you might ask your host what the terrain is like. Some areas are pretty thick, some areas are down right impenetrable. If you do not put an animal down right there and do not have a good blood trail, you stand a good chance to loose your animal.
Blackbuck usually weigh around 100 lbs. Axis stags weight 180 lbs. up. I've used 7mm-08, 325 wsm and 45-70 on the axis I've shot, and 7mm-08 on the blackbuck. If you're sitting in a ground blind thats one thing, but free ranging blackbuck can be a bitch to get close to. Axis can be pretty darn skittish also. Both are fine eating and the hides are fine. Most axis should be out of velvet soon and blackbuck are horned. Good luck and post pix of your hunt.
GWB


axis stag, 325 wsm, 180 gr nosler ballistic tip, +/- 120 yds.



Axis stag, 7mm-08, 140gr barnes triple shock, +/- 80 yds.


Axis doe, 45-70 400 gr speer flat point, +/- 70 yds


Blackbuck buck, 7mm-08, 140 gr nosler accubond, +/- 220 yds.


how sweet it is

Cooked up some blackbuck last night. Excellent stuff. I like it even more than Axis, which is the favorite of many.
Axis are very athletic animals and are made to absorb a lot of punishment. The dorsal neck skin is about an inch thick on big bucks! I like a 270 class cartridge.
My biggest axis with my late friend Kenny S.

Mighty fine looking stag there guy. Did you take him with the 270.
GWB

GWB, IIRC, used a 30/06 on that one. With some of those monster hogs of Texas liable to show up just about anywhere, I remember why I took the /06.

10/4 on that. I don't go out at my lease without a sidearm. Break your leg and those hogs will eat you up. I've actually been charged and had to shoot a pretty good sized boar. Seven shots from a glock 36 before he dropped at my feet. Two days before my nuts dropped.
The background looks like the Texas hill country, yes/no?
GWB

.25-06 Remington! I like the 25 wssm. My buddy uses a 25 Souper.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:

The blackbuck you are holding with your right hand is a keeper as you say up there isn't it ?

It's a super great trophy !!

L

Would a 30-06 with a really light bullet be considered way to much over kill on these animals.
I have one in the safe is why I ask.
Thanks,
W.

25-06 or a 260 would be great. 25-06 with 120 Nosler Partition got this one.

quote:

Originally posted by woodsie:
Would a 30-06 with a really light bullet be considered way to much over kill on these animals.
I have one in the safe is why I ask.
Thanks,
W.

No reason to go "really" lightweight. I wouldn't necessarily feel overgunned with a 150-165 grain bullet. Required? Probably not. Too much? Nope. If you have it, use it. I shot an exis doe with a 260 grain bullet out of a muzzleloader. Shot a little buck with a 240 grainer from a .44 mag. I used 140 grainers in my 6.5 for blackbuck.

think the 06 could be your best choice.
repels charging hogs
shoots thru light brush
leaves good hole in either critter
and you already own one
let us know how you make out

I shot my Axis and Blackbuck with a 270 Win and 110gr TSX's.

Anything from 25 caliber on up should work fine with proper bullet placement.

quote:

Originally posted by woodsie:
I have booked a hunt for free ranging Blackbuck for next february. I also will have chance at a free ranging Axis at the same time. I am going to put a barrell on my Ecore, so I am open to anything. What caliber would you recomend. I am told shots are between 75 - 200 yards.
Thanks in advance,
W.

What do you deer hunt with?

You should be fine with any of the standard calibers, short or long, form .25 thru .30 caliber.

If it was me I would go with a .25-06 or a .270 Win. JMO

I will second comments as to Axis being tougher than some give credit, and I can assure you that the average Axis in Texas is bigger than the average whitetail buck by a pretty good margin. I've seen Axis absorb quite a bit of power before going down.

I like the 270 class recommendation also, and with a light bullet it isn't that much over the top for blackbuck. Your .06 with lighter bullets/loads will be just perfect.

I will go with the standard cal , and make a good shot . I have been in on more than 300 Blackbuck kills and as many or more of Axis .Both can be very simple WITH CORRECT BULLET PLACEMENT . BUT and A BIG BUT if shot poorly the Blkbuck turns into a monster LOL, and soaks up lead that will give a Cape Buff a run for his money .My fellow Hillcountry guides know what I speak!! The Axis can get bad but not like the BlkBuck...

Bring the big game rifle you shoot best out to 250 yards and don't look back. Be sure to practice at 200 yards from field shooting positions. Now, if you "need" a new rifle for the hunt, I would recommend a 7mm-08 or something of that ilk. FYI-Axis are roughly twice the size of our whitetails. Let us know where the Axis steak BBQ is going to be...........

Good Hunting,

Bob

I and my cousin used my .257 Wthby and my buddy used his 7-08 on the animals you mentioned with great success on a Texas hunt a couple years back. Use whatever you shoot best and have fun.

25 wssm or 25 o6 would be just right with 100 gr ttsx but any medium rifle yu like would do just fine they are not hard to kill and the blackbuck is pretty small.

killed them with a hot 22's (22-250,220 swift) but hard to beat 25's or the 6.5's for this kind of work.

Ed

308 would be my choice