I had a little 2 inch sapling that a buck was standing right behind (by right behind I mean like an inch or 2) that my crosshair covered. I shot dead center through that sapling with a 240gr corelockt bullet. (was my .444 marlin) Buck fell over one way, sapling fell over the other Blew through the sapling, still hit right where I was aiming (high shoulder) and took out the spine. Was right at 50 yards. Needless to say I was surprised.

If I had to guess Oldtimr, Id have to say the lighter faster bullet did better because of flatter trajectory so probably flew the path with less contact in the flight path than a rainbow big and slow slug. But if a little one does make contact, especially at the beginning of the speed curve, they have much more chance of going off course or even blowing up. But I agree that choosing a clear shot lane make much more sense that trying to "thread the needle".