ORIGINAL: BarnesX.308
What if you are offered a shot at a 250lbbuck at about 100 yards. He's quartering towards you so you need to get through the shoulder to hit the vitals. Will a 50gr bullet from a 223 have enough power at 100 yards to penetrate the heavy muscle and plow through the shoulder bone of a 250lb buck? will it getthrough that, wreck thevitals and exit in the back far quadrant of said buck? Sure, 50 yard shots at broadside standing deer is easy. A tough angle at the buck of your dreams? Why chance it with barely enough gun? Why not be prepared for anything?
I took a 15 yrd shot into a buck quartering towards me with a .50 caliber muzzleloader 4 or 5 years ago.I wouldnt take that shot again with any caliber.I took out one lung, the deer was able to go damn near a half mile after I shot him and didnt leave much blood trail behind.I recovered him but I had to stay within sight of him the whole time as there was a blizzard starting and the small amount of blood he lost was gone fast.Personally Id find the angle to be more unethical than the caliber.Theres a definate risk of losing the deer with that shot from any gun far as I can tell.