From time to time on these forums, we are treated to some arm-chair expert's opinion on using small-bore rifles on buffalo. Generally, the head-shot is suggested, with the presumption that even a .22 centrefire must be adequate if it finds the brain. Well, there lies the problem: finding the brain!

Here is a photo of a buffalo skull from the front, showing the large cavity between the outer skull and the actual cranium. This cavity is capable of 'catching' a bullet and deflecting it away from the brain, and may even pull-up a well-directed small-bore projectile before it gets to the brain.

The cavity is filled with fluid and soft-tissue, and strengthened with bone 'girders' which are clearly visible in the close-up. Obviously the cavity is a shock-absorber for the head-to-head clashes when the big bulls fight! What chance does a small-bore bullet have?

The side-on head-shot is even more difficult, as the bases of the horns on a big bull will almost completely protect the cranium from the side. The brain is a lot smaller than most people realize, too. Also, there is a lot of heavy bone between the horn-base and the cranium, needed to hold up that massive trophy we so keenly covet!

Buffalo are routinely head-shot from above (mainly from helicopters) with .308s without incident, but a shooter at ground-level really needs to know what he's doing to employ the head-shot successfully over the longer term. Of all the buff I've seen taken in the hunting field, the head-shot is the one which has produced the most stuff-ups.

Whenever my mates hear some 'expert' expounding the virtues of small-bore rifles for the head-shot on bull buffalo, they just chuckle softly to themselves and walk away. Now you know why!