Where would you shoot this Buffalo target?

[migrabill]

I'm more this kinda guy. Pick a spot behind me, because this is as far as they're going.
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As a former 82nd guy - I love this. I also love that it came from a PFC. I wonder how high up the NCO chain he got.

 

[skydiver386]

Here is the full quote.

A lone gliderman from the 325th GIR was digging a foxhole for an outpost near the road when a tank destroyer from the 7th Armored Division moving west from Salmchateau on the highway toward Fraiture spotted him. Inquiring if this was the frontline, Private First Class Vernon Haught looked up and said, “Are you looking for a safe place?” The tank commander said, “Yeah.” Haught responded saying, “Well buddy, just pull your vehicle behind me. I’m the 82d Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going.”<a href="https://armyhistory.org/im-the-82d-...e-bulge/#8239bd30-26bd-4308-b3eb-1d07acea713d">38</a> The courage and tenacity of the glidermen and paratroopers showed their mettle against potentially overwhelming odds.

“I’m The 82d Airborne and This Is As Far As the Bastards Are Going!” - The 82d Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge - The Army Historical Foundation

Their sacrifices not only shaped the outcome of one of World War II's most pivotal battles but also cemented their legacy as one of the finest fighting units in history.

armyhistory.org

 

[fourfive8]

The shot in the pic with the non-charging buffalo…. lower dot just below the chin, paying particular attention to lateral placement on midline. A little left or right has caused many problems for buffalo hunters. Their forward ribs are slightly overlapping for frontal protection.

 

[Brian]

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.

Actually, that is about what I would do too. Partly because I use a .500 or a .577 with premium bullets and they will usually turn a cape buffalo with a frontal lung shot. And also, that is about the best I could do.
I have found that even when I am scared/nervous until I am looking down the barrel at a facing buffalo then for some reason I have, so far, become strangely focused and purposeful and clear headed. I'll bet that most hunters are like that. You go right through fear and out the other side into a sort of a clear place. For me I go through my own mental drill of becoming determined and intensional in the minutes before "the moment of truth". I have talked to the DG hunters who do some thing similar.

 

[High Country Hunts]

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

Well written sir.
I’ve seen buffalo with shoulders smashed and broken bones charge - only a brain shot will turn the lights out.

 

[DLSJR]

Perhaps I’m being a bit ‘nit picky’ but a few observations seem in order…

First, that photo is taken from above the buffalo, not at its same level. That’s why you can see his back over his horns and back feet higher than front feet. So all the shots, especially purple, will strike a bit lower than where it matters that you may think.

With the elevated location you’d be shooting from, say on a small hill above the buffalo, are you sure purple will reach the heart? Or might it go just under? Problem is, if you think you need to be a bit higher you’re shooting him in the mouth and that’s a really bad idea as @steve white already mentioned. If you’re gonna brain him, is red high enough for the angle or would 1-2” higher be better?

Second, the buffalo is standing still, he’s not moving. So discussing shooting him in a charge is more theoretical than practical. Typically, when a buffalo facing you gets shot, he turns to run away. Unless already wounded he’s very unlikely to intentionally charge at the shot.

If I’m shooting at this target, I’m shooting just a bit above red. However, in real life I’m waiting for the buffalo to move before I shoot. Either raising his head to provide a better angle into the brain or heart, OR more likely to turn to depart and exposing his shoulder and heart/lung area from a much better angle. I know, I’m spoiling everyone’s fun but in real life he’s providing a more difficult target than on paper.

BTW, that buffalo is an absolute Tank!

 

[High Country Hunts]

Artesian water buffalo coming in hard - at both shooters - only the brain shot from the verney carron stopped the charge at 7 meters.

 

[Brian]

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Artesian water buffalo coming in hard - at both shooters - only the brain shot from the verney carron stopped the charge at 7 meters.

High Country, What calibers and what bullets were used by both hunters? Also, where else was the buffalo hit if at all? Thanks, brian

 

[BJH65]

A bit below the purple dot. Greatest margin of error to get into the vitals and slow him down for follow up shots if needed.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

He’s standing there and so below the purple works…that said I hate frontal shots on Buffs and highly suggest waiting for a broadside if possible. To many PH’s push for that frontal shots and unfortunately it usually leads to a long tracking job.

HH

 

[Brian]

I like that frontal shot. As I said, done it twice with a 375 hh, both bulls were down in 25 yds. Very simple shot. put the bullet 4-5 inches below the purple dot.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Probably outside (at my place, as not to draw too much attention at a range.) IF the weather was inclement, I could go to an indoor range to shoot. Regarding shot placement (aiming) on the (target) animal, I'd go with either red or (lower than) purple. Red generally works anywhere near red (as a brain can't take that kind of shockwave, and it's only going to move vertically (downward) after that one!

 

[Tdsmith517]

I don’t know alot about shooting Buffalo(yet), but from what I have gathered it seems that if you don’t hit the brain/cns then the adrenaline is going to carry them through the charge. It would seem wise in the theoretical charge situation to hold your shots until you have the best chance of an immediately incapacitating shot. If you have a double rifle you have two chances, with a bolt gun you might want to wait until he is going to have powder burns on his nose.

 

[daawg1963]

As My Fav Ph would say Scott if he comes aim for the Nose kay

 

[dogcat1]

I have had that shot. I shot at the purple and a solid hit. The buff ran toward us, the PH shot in the red.
Next time I will shoot the red.