I agree with the posts above. Your friend is most assuredly talking from very limited experience. I have the somewhat dubious distinction of having been charged by and having killed a buffalo at an uncomfortably close 30 feet. This was, as is common, because the first shot was less than ideally placed( the animal took a step forward as the shot was made). He ran straight for the jesse. This buff eventually took both barrels from a .500NE to put him down. Even then he required a finisher! We have been chased a number of times by unwounded elephant and can usually dissuade their advance by yelling, a shot over their head, or a shot through the ear. Now cow elephant herds with young are really scarey and a lot harder to turn!

Geronimo