The Nilgai Arrow Build Thread

[Kirby86]

Playing devils advocate, what happens when you make a bad shot and hit too far back? Not every errant shot is gonna go too far forward.


In my research the Heavy arrow/single bevel crowd is largely silent on shots that hit high or too far back.

Funny you say that.

I actually messaged John Lusk the other day for his input on this before I made this post.

He has a video up of his moose hunt and he pointed out that if he hadn’t shot the bull with a follow up they may well not have found that bull because the first shot had barely any blood. First shot was an iron will, second was a Sevr 1.5.

I had considered a Sevr 1.5 but I can’t bring myself to try mechs again.

The only issue I’ve ever had with 2 blade broadheads in the past, both single bevel and double bevel is a lack of blood trails.

Lusk recommended the Iron Will wides. Idk that I actually wanna try those for nilgai as they seem awful big if I hit bone, but I may be screwed either way in that situation.

[txtrophy85]

Funny you say that.

I actually messaged John Lusk the other day for his input on this before I made this post.

He has a video up of his moose hunt and he pointed out that if he hadn’t shot the bull with a follow up they may well not have found that bull because the first shot had barely any blood. First shot was an iron will, second was a Sevr 1.5.

I had considered a Sevr 1.5 but I can’t bring myself to try mechs again.

The only issue I’ve ever had with 2 blade broadheads in the past, both single bevel and double bevel is a lack of blood trails.

Lusk recommended the Iron Will wides. Idk that I actually wanna try those for nilgai as they seem awful big if I hit bone, but I may be screwed either way in that situation.

I'm a fan of anything that makes a hole. A Rage 3 blade chisel tip or a Wasp Jackhammer are my go to broadheads for deer size game. Personally, I would shoot a Nilgai with a 3 bladed Rage as its a slip cam design and not over the top.


For a Nilgai, they are not indestructible animals. A well placed 100 grain slick trick is perfectly fine and will leave a hole, not a slit. You don't need a big shovel spaded single bevel to kill one, they are not a Cape Buffalo.


5 years ago I had never heard of a single bevel anything and the only guys shooting 2 blade heads were trad shooters. Now all of a sudden some guys with well trafficked instagram accounts and you tube channels have made it seem like you can't kill anything without one.

[rebelbow]

Thanks again. I think I’m learning towards a 150 annihilator XL for the wound channel. Maybe a little heavier insert but not too much more.
That gives me something to start with.

im curious to see how this head penetrates

[TXOUTLAW]

im curious to see how this head penetrates

I hope I get the chance to give it a good review. All the vids I’ve seen paint a pretty good picture of its devastation and all rate the penetration pretty high.
[emoji1695]

[Jon B]

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Kirby86]

Well I kept thinking about it and after discussing broadheads and arrow weight, I’m just gonna roll with the iron wills in 125gr.

With a lighted nock it brings my total arrow weight with a 125 head up to 540gr.

I have my Traverse setup 1/8th short on the ATA so I knew it’d be a little hot… turns out it’s pulling 79.9lbs [emoji15]. I didn’t expect it’d be that hot! I double checked it against two different scales to confirm.

Got 290 when I shot through the chrono. It’s actually a little faster than I like to shoot a fixed blade but I think I’m gonna be good to go!

[Darkarcher159]

Victory VAP SS 250, 28.75"
IW 200gr Single Bevel
75gr insert w/ 25gr stainless collar
20%FOC

Shooting them out of my Mathews V3 @ 255fps
Had them dialed in out to 60 yards on last year's trip

The only thing I might change this year is backing off 50 grains on the insert. Going to do some arrow testing after this deer hunt next week.

You ask why so heavy??? 2 years ago I shot a bull with my 300win mag @ 200 yards. 180 grain Berger Hunter bullet. Dropped the bull with one shot only to have him get up and run out of my life forever. I want to max the odds in my favor with my bow.

[Kirby86]

Victory VAP SS 250, 28.75"
IW 200gr Single Bevel
75gr insert w/ 25gr stainless collar
20%FOC

Shooting them out of my Mathews V3 @ 255fps
Had them dialed in out to 60 yards on last year's trip

The only thing I might change this year is backing off 50 grains on the insert. Going to do some arrow testing after this deer hunt next week.

You ask why so heavy??? 2 years ago I shot a bull with my 300win mag @ 200 yards. 180 grain Berger Hunter bullet. Dropped the bull with one shot only to have him get up and run out of my life forever. I want to max the odds in my favor with my bow.

What’s total arrow weight? Just curious!

I know a lotta guys prefer solid copper or bonded bullets for them for that very reason.

One of the guides I talked to on the King didn’t care so much about caliber as he did a deep penetrating bullet that stayed together.

[Darkarcher159]

What’s total arrow weight? Just curious!

I know a lotta guys prefer solid copper or bonded bullets for them for that very reason.

One of the guides I talked to on the King didn’t care so much about caliber as he did a deep penetrating bullet that stayed together.

Dang I forgot to put the arrow weight in there. 640 grains, but I think I might back it off 50 grains. Shooting a 486 grain total weight for my deer arrow right now.

From what little blood I found on the ground, the bullet did not exit. Only found small spots of blood on the right side where he ran off.