Shot placement is everything. I'm 5'9" and 215 lbs. I'm very recoil sensitive do to two neck surgeries. 5-6-7-fuses, with a titanium Plate and 6 screws. I'm still hunting but use a 25-06, and .45 BP instead of the 30-06. I've seen a lot of deer taken with .223 and usually only one shot. Most that criticise have a big eagle, and use big guns to make themselves fell good. barmy: