Itenerate...you hit it on the head when you asked if it comes down to practice. Its a trial and error deal...every gun/bullet/load/shooter combination is different. There are just too many variables. If you want to find out what is best for you, you'll have to try all the different combinations (and there are hundreds of them!). On the other hand, if you dont have the time to do that before you plan to hunt this season, I recommend you find a combination that is "good enough". Doesnt have to be perfect. If you can hit a pie-plate sized target at the distance you expect to need this season, you'll be fine. One more bit of advice if you take this route...if you are going to sacrifice a bit of accuracy for this season, I suggest you go with the Barnes hollow point sabot ( I think its called the Barnes X) because it does a tremendous amount of damage. Its designed to break into 4 pieces...three smaller pieces separate and travel out from the central big piece and spread out to do damage away from the point of impact while the big piece pentrates deep. I use it and its great.
Good luck,
SC