My last elephant experience found me putting 750 grains of .577 from one of Mr. Searcy's finest into a brain shot ... that missed the brain by about 1.5 inches. The elephant went straight down ... laid there for 10-15 seconds ... then got back up. Were I to do another elephant from 30 yards, or less, I'd put my first shot from my Ruger .458 Lott into his front shoulder. It's your hunt and your call, but I know a couple of people who have tried the brain shot and not done well. At least the shoulder shot will anchor the animal.