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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

How difficult an elephant brain shot can be
#243624 - 12/03/14 01:45 AM

A "Hunters Video" - "The Big Five".

Shows shots on white rhino, elephant and cape buffalo. The Elephant displays how difficult a brain shot can be with several hits failing to drop the bull elephant.

Die Big Five - Hunters Video

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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gryphon
.450 member

Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: NitroX]
#243638 - 12/03/14 03:55 AM

It seems if he had lifted either of those two frontal shots a bit higher thus into the right place he would have only needed one of them.

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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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larcher
.416 member

Reged: 11/01/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: Saverne, Alsace, France

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: gryphon]
#243651 - 12/03/14 08:26 AM

Quote:

It seems if he had lifted either of those two frontal shots a bit higher thus into the right place he would have only needed one of them.

I agree with You Grif.

No game fever at all. IMO he is real slow to shoot again, not my style. But he got all his trophies.

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"I don't want to create an encyclopedic atmosphere here when we might be having a beer instead" P H Capstick in "Safari the last adventure."

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xausa
.400 member

Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: larcher]
#243674 - 12/03/14 02:39 PM

In my opinion, the shooter was not "using enough gun". All four of my elephants were brain shots. The first two were from the side and did not hit the brain. The second two were quartering from the rear, and both did connect. In all four instances the elephant went down and never made it to his feet again. Three were taken with my wildcat .505 and one with my .458 Winchester Magnum double rifle.

From what I could see, the shooting left a lot to be desired. The rhino was hit in the neck, nowhere close to a vital spot, and the buffalo was at close enough range that a fatal shot should have been easy. Moreover, there was plenty of time for a second shot in both cases, but both animals seemed to get away cleanly, only to be tracked down and finished off by who knows whom.

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39245
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: larcher]
#243675 - 12/03/14 02:39 PM

True, the side brain shot looked a little low and also too far forward. Later both the client and the PH missed the brain from a frontal position also shooting too low.

But goes to show, after an unsuccessful brain shot, if the ele doesn't drop immediately, many recommend going for a heart/lungs/chest shot as an insurance shot. Easier to make, less dramatic, and the ele will probably run a fair distance. But will succumb. Unlike a missed brain shot, the ele may then run and never be found again.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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larcher
.416 member

Reged: 11/01/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: Saverne, Alsace, France

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: NitroX]
#243706 - 13/03/14 04:09 AM

You're right with the rhino,the shot is too low and way forward, seems to hit in the fold of skin under the jaw, not the neck that's higher.
The first shot on the ele is almost spot on, the second no clue at all, the third too low.
The buf is hit right in the middle of the chest backward of the right front leg. Hit the lungs, but over the heart, could hit the aorta and other large vessels.

According to the size of the barrel, this rifle calibre seems bigger than a 375?

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"I don't want to create an encyclopedic atmosphere here when we might be having a beer instead" P H Capstick in "Safari the last adventure."

Edited by larcher (13/03/14 04:10 AM)

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eagle27
.400 member

Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1124
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: larcher]
#243735 - 13/03/14 05:54 PM

Buffalo too low. He needs to read Taylor a bit, through the shoulder not under it, bust the shoulder and blow the bone through the aorta as it heads up along the neck. Likely shock or damage the spine too. Way too low in the neck on the Rhino too. Those low shots are no good on deer type animals either if you don't want to have to follow up and find. Crank that scope up man.

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grandveneur
.400 member

Reged: 21/09/08
Posts: 1290
Loc: France / Germany

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: eagle27]
#348380 - 23/12/20 08:45 PM

I also had a bad experience after a side brain shot on an elephant.

In all cases I would rather prefer the heart shot , but that also partly depends on the opinion of the PH.

Better to use a bigger caliber for the heart shot. By this opportunity I noticed the good working of the cartridge 500 Jeffery.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: grandveneur]
#348400 - 24/12/20 04:08 AM

Quote:

I also had a bad experience after a side brain shot on an elephant.

In all cases I would rather prefer the heart shot , but that also partly depends on the opinion of the PH.

Better to use a bigger caliber for the heart shot. By this opportunity I noticed the good working of the cartridge 500 Jeffery.

Heart shot is probably a better option for most .. however there are times that is not an option..

One we hunted had winded us and come straight on at a good pace.. brained here at 16 yards... .416.. Barnes solids.. remarkable bullet actually..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26504
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: How difficult an elephant brain shot can be [Re: Ripp]
#348403 - 24/12/20 04:28 AM

"Video Unavailable" "This Video is Private"

Then, why is it on the web in U-Tube?

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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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