I have taken 2 head on shots with the rifle. The first one i picked the center of the chest and unloaded with my .308 at around 80 yards. The deer buckled instantly. Now i can't remeber if that hit the gut or not on that deer but the meat was perfectly fine. The second head on shot i picked the white patch on the bucks throat and sent my lead through there at 30 yards. That deer dropped like nobodies business and didn't even twitch a hair. Personally with a rifle i wouldn't avoid a head on shot but if i'm in close i'll take the neck if not i'll take out the brisket and all the goods....