When it comes to buckshot and does late in the season here in VA... I prefer the head shot. Keep in mind, I don't shoot over 35-40 yards... most of mind are on deer standing stock still or sneaking inside of 25 yards... they don't go anywhere... and considering the size of our deer... we can use every little bit of extra meat yield we can get.

When it comes to rifles and deer hunting... ehhh... I've shot a few that way... but I just think that unless the animal is seriously wounded that there are higher percentage shots that kill just as cleanly.