A lot of hunters, including myself are going to ML's in shotgun only states. Being able to shoot at longer distances is the main reason why. In order to fine tunea ML past 150 yds, you must spend alot of time at the range. I personally cast a 500 grain(RCBS Hotchkiss), pure lead bullet. The bullet has a rainbow trajectory, but at distances past 150 yards I use my rangefinder first. My limit is 250 yards. I put hundreds of bullets down range, and I will not take a badshot, or an unknown ranged shot. Before you laugh at the bullet size you should research the distances that buffalo hunters shot at, with this exact bullet.It does not matter what load you shoot, they all rainbow past 150 yards. Range time is the key, you must know your rifle.If I had to buyShockwave bullets for all the shootingI do, I could not afford it.
Your other question was about size.bigger is better.Especially for retained energy down range. Remember nothing will be flat shooting. Tom.