i shot a few groundhogs with my 50cal with my deer load. 90grs of 3fg and a .490 ball. i was surprised at the lack of damage...i mean it knocks them deader than dead...im sure internal damage and shock is worse than the 50cal holes it leave...i never skinned them but from the outside they didnt look too bad. head or vital shots id say you should have atleast back legs for dinner! even moving slow that 50cal ball is still gunna hit with a good punch...which will usually result in damaged meat..not sure how bad it looks on small game though..