If I need to anchor a animal I will hit it square in the shoulder (with a .340 Wby. Mag. using a 250 gr. Barnes XFB traveling a 3062 f/s 5204 fl/lb), but most of the time I will hit it right behind the front leg/shoulder at the center of the body. I don't like hitting them in the heart because I love the way heart goes with liver and onions. Good luck.