one of my pet peeves is the statement that it's all about bullet placement....

I'll agree that proper placement is the most important aspect of KILLING a deer but one still has to put a properly constructed bullet into the right spot. and it has to be the right cartridge designed for that target animal.

I like hunting with my 375H&H some but it is NOT a good choice for Al deer killing, lots of penetration and minimum bullet expansion mean one has to be precise in bullet PLACEMENT. Even then it does not kill as well as any 270 with 130gr bullets.

Same problem, different direction, with a small calibre gun with varmint bullets. I have seen them explode on contact with bone and completely fail to penetrate. Properly placed but very improper penetration means wounded deer. Poor bullet choice will not always kill even with good placement.

On meat deer I always aim just touching back of shoulder, thru ribs for lungs...not to waste any meat. After all I am shooting for meat.

On trophy bucks I aim mid shoulder to drop em on the spot. I am less concerned with meat damage here.

Ya'll knock em out....