Maybe my time bowhunting has clouded my view, but I firmly believe now that if you can't take a good shot in the vitals, pass on the deer. Another one will come along (I hope).

I have shot 2 in the neck. One with a 12 ga. using a Remington Copper Solid at about 40 yards and one with a .308 at 30 yards. They dropped in their tracks. I don't see any problem with a neck shot and won't hesitate to take one under 50 yards. Last year's 7 point with the .308 put a 2 inch hole in it's neck that you could see through.

I don't see any problem with taking a neck shot under 50 yards if you are a good shot. I won't hesitate to take them and it's fast becoming a shot I would rather take. They drop where they stand, die as fast as any double lung and no tracking. I'm sure a muzzleloader with a good bullet will do the same.

I too come from a raised on bowhunting deer background.