On a side view ,if the bullet passes over the vertebrae thru the muscles it may put the deer down momentarily . As your patting your self on the back that animal might get up and run off. Dang near happened to me in 1996 as she stood back up I run another thru her ribs. 100 gr corelokts in a 243 at 125 yards but I missed the spine by an inch. Best shot placement is in the chest , it's the largest vital target. No more stunt shooting for me.
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This! X 100
The neck and ear are SMALL targets and very mobile.
Also they don’t bleed out well on a spine/ ear shot. Much better for your meat to have them bleed out.
