ORIGINAL: Buck Hunter 1
I look to kill an animal right now! With the lighter bullets a twig, a puff of wind etc. I hink the excitement quotient comes into play here as well. That 06' let's them know there hit hard and rocks them. You can play sniper all you want, it just ain't right, kill them quick!
Twigs knock big bullets off line just as much as little bullets. I remember reading a study that said a .223 55gr. FMJ was less affected by striking brush than any other bullet tested. However, ALL bullets were knocked off course.
Moral of the story: Regardless of caliber, don't shoot unless you have a clean shot.
And I've seen plenty of deer run just as far hit with .270's, 7mm's, and .30 calibers. There's nothing magical about them, either. They still don't make up for poor shooting.