Yea...it can happen. I borrowed a friends open sighted 30-30 one time. I walked up to a small ridge and there was a nice buck on another ridge only 30 yards away. I pulled up and shot...the deer tried to walk up the hill but couldn't so he turned around and started walking the trail back along the side of the ridge. I aimed a little higher and shot again...nothing. I aimed higher and shot again. The deer continued to walk away...broadside the whole time. Nothing!!! I emptied the gun and reloaded. NOTHING!!!! This friend was above me and came out to see what was going on and he shot it in the butt as he rounded the end of the ridge. We let it be and went out the next morning and found it. His shot went in at the rear and exited out the front. A gut shot through and through. I found where my first shot hit...his front right leg at the elbow. That was why he couldn't climb the hill. I gave the rifle back to my friend and said thanks but no thanks. I won't hunt with a strange rifle again...expecially without a scope. My fault for not test firing it first but he assured me it "was on the money". yea right.

Live and learn...
reid