ORIGINAL: petasux
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.
Seems like you learned a lesson. there is no such thing as marginfor error. A .50 caliber on the wrong angle still doesnt do a great job. I have always waited for a complete broadside shots, or aim for the neck or head.Those are the only shots I take, completely broadside, neck, orhead. Its worked for me.