No, the preferred shot is the heart/lung on elephant, mainly because clients are not that proficient on front end brain shots. Side brains are easier, as the ear gives you a decent aimpoint. But they DO run, hence the pelvic or rear leg bone to keep them from running, particularly if close to a concession border.
On buffalo, lion, leopard and indeed everything else, If you shoot the shoulder, you WILL get the lungs and top of the heart. As to "always" on DG, that rates a "DUH". The shoulder shot accomplishes TWO things, punches the heart or lungs area AND degrades mobility, which is sort of important when it comes to DG. A heart lung shot will not.
