Buffalo - frontal spine vs heart

[analog_peninsula]

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

 

[meigsbucks]

I’ve only shot one buffalo and it was a frontal hear shot. Dropped at the shot, bounced back up, went 30yds, two death bellows.

bellows and gave up the ghost.

 

[375Fox]

I’d be uncomfortable taking that heart shot as shown. It seems very low without a lot of margin for error.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’ve taken the frontal heart shot and it turned into a 3-day rodeo because it was off by a fraction of an inch. Completely my fault and I’ve owned it.

Given the same opportunity again, I’d do things differently.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

This is one of my favorite shots on African game.

Situation dictates if I take the heart or spine shot. Did this a few weeks ago in Coutada 11 on a Lichtenstein Hartebeest after commenting to the PH earlier about the frontal shots being some of my favorites, while looking at a beautiful Nyala Bull. Hartebeest dropped in its tracks.

 

[Mark458]

I’d be uncomfortable taking that heart shot as shown. It seems very low without a lot of margin for error.

I agree. Picture appears to aim a bit low. I prefer high heart shots. Gives margin for error to get lungs if you're too high and still get heart if you're a few inches low.

 

[Nhoro]

Spine shot is not usually recommended because you are even less likely to get the lung shot than when trying for a heart shot. And the target is smaller left and right. So it is all or nothing.Frontal shots are not the best because if you miss the heart, your best hope is one lung-and that will usually involve a long follow up. Spine shot will either drop to the shot or be relatively uninjured. If he runs, you will probably not find him. Very little room for error on either frontal shot.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’ve killed two buffalo with frontal shots. The first one was in 2013 in the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique. The range was 10 yards in high grass so I aimed just below the jaw for a spine shot with my 458 Lott. The bull went straight down and death bellowed. We circled and approached from the rear and I shot an insurance shot because it’s the dead ones that kill you.

In 2023, I took another frontal shot with a 375 H&H Mag at 85 yards. I aimed a bit higher than the heart shot illustrated here. I hit the top of the heart and that bull also went straight down but was still moving so we got closer and paid the insurance again.

Frontal shots are fatal if you are steady and place the bullet in the center. I wouldn’t pass up another such opportunity if I am steady and within reasonable range. I don’t think there’s much difference in the outcome of either the frontal heart or frontal spine shot, if centered.

 

[Pole Pole]

I have done two frontal buffalo shots both with 375 HH. The first a heart shot 30 yard run down bellowed dead. The second I tried a spine shot, hit the spine but not centered, went down back up, then down then up then running away, laying down after another spinal attempt going strait away, lung shot rolled him on back with four feet sticking straight up, that should do it you would think but not, he got up then ran some more before going down. He tried to get up again but the spine damage prevented him from straightening a front leg. One more shot and he was done. The first I had a steady rest but the second not so steady leaving myself open to the gun battle. Double lung if you can or be certain of your aim.

 

[318AE]

In my experience the top of the heart, with the large veins and arteries there, is as lethal as the heart itself. Above that is the spine, if its head is up looking at you. The trick is being precisely centered left to right.

 

[Pole Pole]

On a spine shot, what is the margin of error, maybe three inches? Same question on high heart shot?

 

[Hunt anything]

I’d be uncomfortable taking that heart shot as shown. It seems very low without a lot of margin for error.

Me as well, shoot about 6” higher. Miss a little low you blow out the heart, a little high and you get the spine. Dead on you blow out all of the big arteries leaving the heart.

 

[318AE]

I don’t think there is really a “dead spot” between the top of the heart and bottom of the spine, so top to bottom you have some small margin of error. Left to right, you have very little.

 

[318AE]

Me as well, shoot about 6” higher. Miss a little low you blow out the heart, a little high and you get the spine.

Exactly…

 

[Berettaco]

I took the frontal heart shot on my 2nd buff because that’s the shot I had. Still not my preferred shot but that’s what I had to work with. I was kneeling under the Mopani, buff was at 20 yards in thick Mopani, head down looking at us. When he raised his head just enough I was able to see a clear shot. As mentioned above - If not super confident in the shot, I’d pass - little room for error. I’d say even less room for error with the frontal spine shot

 

[Hunt anything]

I don’t think there is really a “dead spot” between the top of the heart and bottom of the spine, so top to bottom you have some small margin of error. Left to right, you have very little.

Yep, I haven’t experienced it but if off a fraction and only get one lung you’re in for a long and dangerous tracking job from what I’ve heard.

 

[Pole Pole]

Sorry, that was my question, right to left, east to west? Maybe 1 1/2” on each side of spinal column. Yes. Very little.

 

[C.W. Richter]

C). Frontal head shot. Probably best w/ an easy shooting .375 and a good rest. This was my Son's from 60 yds using a cheap Rem 270 SP (because he's got no time to reload anymore and they shoot particularly good in his gun.)

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

In my experience the top of the heart, with the large veins and arteries there, is as lethal as the heart itself. Above that is the spine, if its head is up looking at you. The trick is being precisely centered left to right.

If the buff (or other animal) is turned ever so slightly (5-15 degrees) towards or away it’s my truest preferred shot. It also completely changes the need to be centered and provides a little more margin for east/west error, but takes away your vertical north/south margin.

If the animal is turned slightly, I normally try to cross my round through the vitals and exit/break the back leg/hip.

 

[C.W. Richter]

good

good mini-practice for same on elephant!