Hi gman1969,

With a "dead headon" shot on deer with any substantial cartridge the bullet will most probably end up passing through the diaphragm and on into the intestines. A good example would be either a .308 Win. or a .30-06 Springfield with any decent 180 grain bullet. Either of those for instance placed at the base of the throat will most likely travel full length through the deer to be recovered in the last "quarter" of the deers body and will sometimes penetrate through and through. This shot will prove quickly fatal.....and as long as the deer is "dressed out" quickly upon recovery the meat will NOT be tainted or affected. Though the dressing job will of course be somewhat more of a "mess". (Good reason for having disposable gloves.) And then "wipe out" the body cavity of any remaining excrement.

On a similar shot at a "slight quartering on angle" by going through the near shoulder the bullet will then pass through the chest cavity and frequently exit somewhere on the off side or flank.....depending on angle. The important thing to remember when taking any angling shot is to drive the bullet through the heart lung region....regardless of angle. So sometimes you might be required to aim for the near shoulder....sometimes the off shoulder....sometimes (as in head on)...neither shoulder. Quartering or full length body shots should be avoided with either "light for caliber bullets" of convential construction.....or cartridges that are barely adequate to insure penetration through the extra resistance of heavy shoulder and/or bone. Usually on game the size of deer any "decent" combination of cartridge and bullet provides more than adequate penetration!

I have taken probably close to half a dozen or better medium game animals with either a "full on frontal" or nearly "full on frontal" shot. And without exception they have all been extremely rapidly fatal.

That angle would be a terrible presentation for an archer....who should be trying to "double lung".....but because of the "mechanics of high power rifle bullets" on living tissue...it is extremely lethal as long as the cartridge and bullet are up to the job of penetrating...while transmitting shock!

Good luck!