I decided to post this report here even though I agree with most that the .366 caliber is a medium bore but thought some might find this interesting because of earlier posts on guns for nilgai.

I hunted nilgai this weekend on the Yturria Ranch in south Texas. This population of Indian antelope is an exotic but has been a free ranging, naturalized citizen of our state since the 1930's. Big bulls weigh in around 700 pounds and are impressive because of the abuse they can take. The skin covering their neck and shoulders reminds me of a wild boar because of it's thickness obviously to protect them during the rut from other bull's short but sharp horns. Bulls fight for territory and breeding rights like many of their species.

I wanted to hunt with and christen a 9.3 I had built several years ago. The rifle is on a 98 action and is stocked with a piece of English walnut and was built to resemble the Mauser Type A sporter. I topped it off with a Leupold 1.5x5 and was shooting the new factory load by Lapua...their lead-free Naturalis 286 grain loading. The bullet reminds me of an x-bullet with a plastic tip to force the bullet open and make it more areodynamic. The bullet groups around 1.25" in the rifle.

With our cold windy conditions and many of the bigger bulls with the large herds of cows, stalking within range was difficult. I was trying to limit myself to a 200 yard or less shot. This due to the tenacity of the antelope and the rifle/scope combination. After 5 or 6 blown stalks, I finally found myself in a mesquite mott about 400 yards from 3 bulls intent on finding out who was the toughest. Unbeknownst to me the spoils of the contest (the cows) were behind me about 150 yards. After the most dominant bull finished the others he began to make his way towards me...stopping every so often to glare back at the other satellite bulls who also were easing towards the cow. I had my sticks set up and when he stopped broadside and I had a shooting lane at about 165 yards, I shot him once in the middle of the shoulder. He bucked and ran just 10 yards before stopping, wobbling and dropping. Very impressive performance for both the rifle and cartridge. I will post a picture of the recovered bullet if any of you are interested.

The bullet performance again reminded me of the x-bullet but instead of four petals peeling back the bullet is opened in a perfectly round semi-mushroom. There is no lead in the bullet only copper. The bullet did not exit. Internal damage was excellent but there was not much loss of bloodshot meat as the bullet acted like a cup point solid might.

The 9.3x62 lived up to it's billing. I've shot nilgai with .375H&Hs, .416 RM, .338 WM and the various .300s and the gun performed as well as the larger bores.can It did the job and then some. If I changed anything on my set-up it might be my scope. I know 5x works for some of you but on longish shots I like a bit more magnification. All in all though, a good test the cartridge and rifle passed with flying colors!

Good hunting.

EXCELLENT all the way around... very nice DARK bull... very mature.. scarred up, and dropped to a single shot.

Very well done!!

jeffe

Nice rifle and nice shot.
I would keep that 1.5x5 sighted in and mount another scope of your choice of hiogher magnification. That way you have 2 scopes for that fine rifle.

Congradulations!! Well written field report
Thanks

Classy all around: trophy, rifle, and bwanamrm.

A pic of the expanded Lapua bullet WOULD be interesting, and much appreciated.

Thanks.

Excellent report, great shot, great bull, beautiful rifle!

I would also like to see the recovered bullet.

How cold did it get down there?

Great job, well done. Please post bullet picture and give use a skillet report too.

Hog Killer

Very well done... if you could post the pics. of the bullet. Also what was the aprox penetration? Congrats on a fine bull.

Good show!
Those naturalis bulletes have prooved to be very good bullets!

Pick's from their catalogue:

Great shot awsome caliber and rifle and great story !!

Thanks for all of the positive comments. Bent Fossdal did a great job showing bullet cutaways of the Naturalis bullets and the actual loaded Lapua cartridges. Here are photos of the recovered bullet with a .416 caliber XLC bullet and a .375 caliber Failsafe for comparison.


Also a view from the top...


An interesting perspective on these bullets by Lapua. I like them and will continue to use them as my primary load for my rifle. Although I would have liked an exit wound, if forced to use the 9.3 on buff, this bullet would be an option IMO because of it's design and bullet weight retention. Again, nilgai are big and tough but the penetration issue has me second guessing using the 9.3x62 for buff as a first choice. Thanks again for all the comments.

Great! Thanks.

More impact velocity is needed to get the picture like Bent posted.

Stalk closer? Impossible on Nilgai sometimes, eh?

A new cartridge is born:

9.3x69mm Lapua Nilgai.

Beautiful bull Russel! Was the bullet found on the off-side hide? If you don't mind did you hunt through an outfitter or book directly with the ranch? Thanks

Naturalis video - English

256k wmv - for DSL connections - 16 meg file size - 10 minute video

http://www.lapua.com/Video/naturalis256.wmv

-Bob F.

Thanks, Bob.
I see that a .338/250gr Naturalis is "coming soon" in .338 Lapua Magnum loaded ammo from Lapua. That would certainly do the trick on Nilgai.

So would a Barnes TSX. I wonder if Lapua will get with the program and add some extra cannelures or bands?

Interesting video. Thanks, Bob.

Larry,
The bullet was found on the skin against the ribcage as the bull was at a slight quarter to me. The outfitter was L&L Hunting Adventures, Lendell Laxton 361.550.6532!

Hm, never seen a Naturalis expand so little. Like RIP said, velosity must have been rather low. Seems to me the best job here was done by the rifleman! Poor shot placements, with bullets expanding that little would have had that beast running all over Africa! I'd go for a 250 X next time, or a North Fork or A-frame. Or, on buff, Bridger FN, since you obviously know were to hit them!

quote:

with bullets expanding that little would have had that beast running all over Africa!

And thats a lot of running since it was shot in Texas!

quote:

And thats a lot of running since it was shot in Texas!

Prooves my point, does it not?

NICE bull and REALLY nice rifle!

Best,

John