"I would much rather ruin a shoulder than lose a deer." Let me clarify that statement. I have never in all my years of hunting had a shot opportunity where a deer was standing perfectly broadside to offer the fabled boiler room through the ribs. Angles always dictate shot placement and I would much rather bust up a shoulder than blow up an acorn filled paunch and ruin the entire front quarter of the deer. So generally I am stuck with the "angled shoulder lung heart shot" that bigcountry mentioned. It is a very effective, quick killing shot as long as you have a bullet that will pull it off.