You're not really hitting them with the rifle, you're hitting them with the bullet. I'd choose a bullet that doesnt open up too quick if you're using one of the larger 30 cal mags. I've used the 7mm Rem Mag for our deer which weigh about 130ish field dressed and don't lose very much meat. But like the others say, lung shots all the way.

[Deleted by Admins]

I have harvested deer with an 06, 6.5x55, 300wm and a 307win, have never had a problem with a lot of meat damage. Bullets used have been corlokts, interloks and gamekings. I can see meat in the shoulder area being damaged but not from the ribs back if shot through the shoulder. Didn't say if this was a quartering shot or a broadside or what the bullet selection was either.

Unless I'm purely hunting for meat (only on an occaisional doe hunt), I always aim for the point of the shoulder. See, I like to do all my hunting before I pull the trigger (I happen to be color blind so blood on the ground does not stand out--I have to look for "wet brown" that is out of place). I've never had an elk or a deer take a step shot through the point of the shoulder. Granted, I inevitably loose a few pounds of meat, but for me, the trade off is a good one. Most of my shooting is with a muzzleoader with barnes expander bullets, or a 300wby or 340wby with partitions. I think these help keep the meat loss down somewhat. When trophy hunting, I know I'm using enough gun and a tough enough bullet to make any angled shot on deer (elk are another matter--even with the 340wby). We all have an obligation to kill quickly and to not waste an animal. Having said that, IMO, there isn't a right or wrong answer here.