Where would you shoot this Buffalo target?

[tinktink12]

@skydiver386 and I ordered some life sized targets from Rigby’s of London for our Big Bore Shoot at @gizmo Rockin G Ranch in February 2027.

The situation is this unwounded buffalo charging from 40 yards. Do you take the shot then at 40 yards? Which color do you shoot? OR Do you wait till he gets closer and dips his head, then try for a brain shoot then?

 

[steve white]

IMO this is a trick photo: he is not in the act of charging, else not only would his hooves be in motion, but his head would be up for the "through the nose" to the brain shot. With his head lower as shown the purple low chest shot is only a smidgen off his chin. If you hit the teeth in his lower jaw, expect surprises with bullet disintegration/turning. Teeth are a shot breaker. Otherwise fine, but depending on distance out not the shot to stop him before he gets you. If he is close and getting closer, definitely the brain shot, but not high into the boss or above the brain.
It's actually an illustration of how hard they can be to kill/stop. End of story, I take the red dot.

 

[Brian]

If I have a .416 or bigger with premium bullets, One inch above the red dot, or 4-5 inches below the purple.
I have done the 4-5 inched below the purple dot shot on two cape buffalo bulls with a .375 HH, (before I knew better,) 300 grain, North Fork Cup Point Solid, on two buffalo (heart shots), both went 25 yds.

 

[grand veneur]

The buffalo is standing and not charging, so I would also be inclined to shoot on the red point, but in practice perhaps I wait that it turn a bit.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Since he is 40 yards and not wounded. I would assume he isn’t charging but simply running towards the hunter as often happens. Many “charges” are simply that the animal chooses an escape route with humans in the way.

If he was a bull I wanted My first shot would be purple. (I’m not skilled enough at 40 yards to hit the brain that is moving up and down and closing fast. )
Then hold the second shot until he lowers his head.

If he wasn’t a bull I wanted I wouldn’t shoot.

 

[Mountaineer]

I would use the aim small miss small approach and shoot at his nose. Moving
Targets are tough to hit. It’s not a sand bag off the bench precision opportunity. The shinny nose will help your aiming.

 

[Philip Glass]

Tough call as his head will be rising and falling as he gallops toward you. Safe bet would be the red. If you have a double you can take an early shot and if no effect a close brain shot. It not a fun scenario to contemplate but worthy of discussion.

 

[Rare Breed]

@skydiver386 and I ordered some life sized targets from Rigby’s of London for our Big Bore Shoot at @gizmo Rockin G Ranch in February 2027.

The situation is this unwounded buffalo charging from 40 yards. Do you take the shot then at 40 yards? Which color do you shoot? OR Do you wait till he gets closer and dips his head, then try for a brain shoot then?

View attachment 781118

With his head in this position red. If he lifted his head more like they usually do then blue. For Buff I would say purple is a little high

 

[skydiver386]

The bosses and worn horns on this Bull make him a worthy trophy in my book, so I'd be proud to take him under any circumstance.

If he's at 40 yards, I'd put the first round just below the purple. He has a slight dewlap which can give hunters the impression that his chest is lower.

If he's still coming and his head is in the same position, the red.

 

[skydiver386]

Since he is 40 yards and not wounded. I would assume he isn’t charging but simply running towards the hunter as often happens. Many “charges” are simply that the animal chooses an escape route with humans in the way.

If he was a bull I wanted My first shot would be purple. (I’m not skilled enough at 40 yards to hit the brain that is moving up and down and closing fast. )
Then hold the second shot until he lowers his head.

If he wasn’t a bull I wanted I wouldn’t shoot.

Very good point.

Often an animal may not be sure of where you are, and is simply looking to escape.

 

[Brian]

With his head in this position red. If he lifted his head more like they usually do then blue. For Buff I would say purple is a little high

Yes it is a little high for me too. ( It's either misplaced or is probably intended to be the spot for an under the chin spine shot.) I go for the heart, 4-5 inched below the purple.

 

[Hedge774]

I have to be completely honest here as someone yet to hunt buffalo. If this beast was charging me from 40 yards, I am aiming for center of mass and asking The Lord to please recieve me. I wouldnt even care if my PH made fun of me for wetting myself in the excitement.

 

[migrabill]

Save one for the March shoot as well!

 

[SStomcat]

With a proper double 450 and above, at 40 yards- green, blue and red should do the job. Red and Blue should hit the spine, purple is a bit high. However the first shots should be taken in between 20-25 yards and if not successful the 2nd shot should be taken when the head dips low just above the boss dead centre.

 

[ftrovato]

In this situation if I must pick one, Purple. He won't live long after that shot.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Purple at 40 yards. If I want him. If he’s still coming at 20 yards, red. If his head is still in that position.

 

[skydiver386]

Save one for the March shoot as well!

I've got batches of full size Dangerous Game targets plus Gizmo has tons of 50BMG capable steel to shoot at. It'll be a great time.

 

[Rare Breed]

I have to be completely honest here as someone yet to hunt buffalo. If this beast was charging me from 40 yards, I am aiming for center of mass and asking The Lord to please recieve me. I wouldnt even care if my PH made fun of me for wetting myself in the excitement.

lol, you are an honest man!!! The problem with either a buff or an elephant if they charge while your front body shot will eventually kill them you are a dead man. With these two animals you have to make a brain stopping shot because the shot you are talking about may not even slow them down before they are upon you

 

[Surgeon1]

With a double at 20 yds his head will be down and take a high spine shot then at 5-10 yds his brain if he is still coming and trust me you will need paper towels to clean yourself. The picture itself represents a bull where you have just a few seconds to decide if you want to take him before he turns to depart rarely do they charge from that pose. Nose high in the air sniffing the danger can turn to a charge in an instant! An experienced double rifle hunter will wait until less than 20 yds and go for the brain unless his head is whipping around and then a spine first shot when he drops his head then brain. Remember he will be moving 30-35mph and with a bolt you have one shot.

 

[skydiver386]

I have to be completely honest here as someone yet to hunt buffalo. If this beast was charging me from 40 yards, I am aiming for center of mass and asking The Lord to please recieve me. I wouldnt even care if my PH made fun of me for wetting myself in the excitement.

I'm more this kinda guy. Pick a spot behind me, because this is as far as they're going.