I have shot deer with 300 savage, 243, 8x57, 308, 30-06 with a variety of bullets all shots have been in the lungs or heart but two every deer ran at least 5 yards with thaaverage being a 40 yard run, but always have good blood....the other 2 shots one was a neck shot and it dropped, and one was a high shot that hit the spine.....I dont think dropping a deer is imprtant, getting a good lethal hit and having good blood is what I want....