I agree with using the double lung and or taking the heart with it if possible. Simply put an animal CAN'T survive very long without oxygen. But rarely doesa true mid or lowerlung shot result in downing an animal "in his tracks". I have studied this for years and especially since getting my Lazzeroni in 99.

It takes ALOT of force to kill an animal instantly with strictly a lungshot. Now getting into the spinal area or neck area or Tx heartshots yes those are easily done shots for dropping them where they stand. But they waste alot of good meat or damage the hide or a wanted trophy. As for the 25/06 doing it. The 25/06 I had NEVER dropped them in their tracks with a simple lungshot. But realistically rarely do any of my 30/06s, 50cal muzzleloaders or either of my 7mags. About the only gun that has produced several instant kills in the lungs (for me anyway) is the Lazz. I think it takes a combination of bullet weight (150grn for me) and velocity (3700ish fps) to drop them where they stand if nothing other than the lungs is hit.

Double shoulder hits with large, fast calibers typically results in "lights out" but they take alot of meat with them. Or at least in the case of my Lazz the Triple Shock Barnes doesn't blow meat up but turns bone fragments into shrapnel that travels as far as the hindquarters of the animal and up through the neck. A neck shot is a GREAT shot for any caliber and typically will drop them like a bad habit. BUT there is greater potential for a miss (smaller and moving target) and if it is a trophy it will tear up the cape.

That is why I prefer bullets that will FULLY penetrate an animal and leave an exit hole. A full "2 sided" entrance/exit hole through the lungs WILL kill any big game animal alive and they wont run very far (typically less than 100yds). For me bullets like Barnes or Winchester Fail Safes are the ones to go too. Ballistic Tips just don't cut it IMHO. But I realize alot of guys use them and like them. I just realize that a BT wont fully penetrate and animal at 350yds when a "Tx heartshot" is used like I do with the Barnes'.

The most effective thing I can give you is advice I heard many moons ago and was actually borrowed from a bowhunter with regards too shot placement. Don't worry about where the bullet is going into the animal, visualize them as a 3D, transparent object and visualize where you want the bullet to exit! THAT will show you where you must place the shot to get the effect you want. But again, that is ONLY with bullets and calibers that have the ability to wade in deep and "GET R DUN".

"Drop em where they stand" that has been one of my battel crys for years!
RA