The 30-06 certainly does the job. And of course you are right that shot placement is the key. I think I shoot the 308 and 6.5 better than other calibers therefore good shot placement. Sometimes though it seems that my knocker down calibers perform better than they should. This would hold true in spades for the 6.5x55. Its one over achiever. It has neither high velocity or great bullet weight but for dacades its been taking deer, elk. moose and more. It does it without awful muzzle blast and without recoil.