I killed my first deer with one and my 15 year old daughter killed her first deer with the same rifle this year. My ex-husband started me out with the .223 and then eventually the .243. All shots were to the base of the head/neck. And yes, this is another argument among hunters. But........as others have said.....I shot this rifle enough to know it, the hand loads, and my accuracy at various distances, and blah, blah, blah. Now, "quite a few" years later, I only use MY .270 wsm. I only take shoulder/behind the shoulder shots. A few years ago, I shot 2 does in the neck. Each one was only paralyzed with a HUGE hole in their neck. Could have been the rounds I was using (bst's) or shot placement wasn't spot on, don't know. Had to slit each ones' throat. Vowed to never do that again. So now, for me, big gun....big target. To each, his own.