a few years ago i sold my 22 lr for a 22 wmr. with the old 22 lr and subsonics on grouse i could aim just about anywhere in the vitals or head/neck and the meat would be fine, i even ate the "shot" meat because it was really just a tiny hole in the meat if i accidentally let the shot drift low. with the 22 wmr ive tried light bullets, heavy bullets even fmj's and it still cuts a grouse in half if i hit anywhere but the head/neck. same thing happens with goose loads from the pump gun at short range. in the context of smallgame, yes you can overgun it. with big game and varmint bullet selection means alot more then caliber. send a swift a frame or woodleigh out of a 30-378 at a deer and it will look like it was hit with a normal .270 deer bullet. send a 110 vmax from a 308 and it will look like it was hit with a 338 lapua. bullets are no different then the tires on a car. run dirt tires on a mitsubishi evo and youv got a rally machine. run goodyear falcons and youv got a street machine. of course there is limitations to this (like my 22 wmr vs grouse) but when it comes down to it your brass powder and primer arent punching a hole in anything.

i also second homers post, its a wild world out there and injured animals can do anything. might as well be sure you can handle whatever you brought to the woods.