Let me give you a situation that actually happened to me. And the only reason I scored was because of the confidence I had in my magnum.

I was elk hunting in NM, and I was over watching a large open are. A group of about 15 elk ran approximately 200 yards, and they ran within 5 yards of my position. I had a large 5X5 bull standing at 5 yards distance and he was looking staight at me with his chin up. I already had my rifle raised and was pointing it straight under his chin. The cartridge was a 340 Weatherby. It was either take the shot or not!!! I had 100% confidence that the 250 grain bullet I was shooting would drop him right there with that shot. It did.

I would not have taken that shot with a lesser cartridge. No gut shots involved. But a tough shot that is fully capable of a humane kill with adequate firepower. That is why I cringe when I hear people call a 25-06 or a 243 as adequate elk medicine. I would never have taken that shot with a "Pea Shooter". Do you not agree?? However with the 340 Wby. Mag. there was no doubt of the outcome.

So I either come home to WV empty handed. Or I shoot a trophy bull in a not so every day shot, with supreme confidence. So a magnum can make a difference.

And yes I do believe a gut shot animal with a magnum is much more likely to die and be recovered over a gut shot deer with a "Pea Shooter".

And as far as bullets. Well that is another discussion. Tom.