Buffalo - frontal spine vs heart

*For what's being discussed, there's also the "hydrostatic shock" aspect of ballistics...IF a .375+/- at 2,500+ish fps, IF you miss the heart, spine or even brain by just a small fraction, (lights out w/ brain/spine) Game On for the PH et. al. (and perhaps not what you planned) if heart! LOL
 
'had an issue yesterday after cutting many acres of hay over the holiday, and would you believe that's the Only thing I didn't consider!
 
Tomato, Ta-Ma-Toe, but I wholly prefer paranasal diverticulum as one Professor could not stop saying it!
 
Spine shot all times as well as charging 's situation...largest ,easiest and softest target were also a premium soft point bullet will make the job.
 
The only buffalo I shot was facing straight at me at 92 yards. The bullet was perfectly centered left-right. The bullet passed under the spine and over the heart. He was heavily bleeding. We followed a continuous line of blood.

As the bull entered into thick stuff, the PH called the Jack Russell’s.

20 minutes later, that bull was still alive and I finish him with 2 broadsides shots as he cross in front of us with the Jack’s behind him.

Why he was not dead is still a mistery. The bullet probably just passed there without cutting major arteries.

I have shot deers, moose, bears with frontal shots and all died quickly. The problem with buffalos is that they don’t know when they must die.
 
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analog_peninsula said:
I’ve attached two images from the buffalo perfect shot book, one of the spine shot, the other of the lower heart shot. Which do you prefer, and why? As I view the images, simply holding four or five inches below the jaw looks like more exact shot placement, but it feels like I’ve read much more discussion of the heart shot.

Spine


Heart
Click to expand...
I like this heart shot. must use good bullet. I have done it twice, two bulls, both went 25 yds.
 
375Fox said:
I’d be uncomfortable taking that heart shot as shown. It seems very low without a lot of margin for error.
Click to expand...
Me too. I'd aim for the center where the red dot is.
 
My son spent over 20 minutes on the sticks looking at this buffalo bull while waiting for an older bull to present a shot opportunity. After a while he whispered that he’d mentally brained this buffalo dozens of times.
IMG_1058.jpeg
 
The reality of hunting Buffalo in thick Mopani is this is the shot you get so many times. And normally at under 40 meters. Practice it and get mentally ready to take the shot if it presents itself. Preferably the animal must beat a dead on angle and not quartering away. Depending on how high the animal is holding it's head, which is normally high for a healthy unwounded animal as in pic one 4 fingers under the chin will do the job.

In the Caprivi or South Africa the reality of a broadside shot is much higher.
 
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I think forum prohibits making reference or giving personal references to PH/Outfitters that don't advertise on this forum.

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