IME an animal hit directly behind the shoulder may drop instantly or it may make it 50 or so yards. I think I saw one elk make it about 200 yards, but it was steep downhill.
Shoulder shot critters may drop on the spot or make it 50 or so yards too. I get pissed every time I see a heart get destroyed too.
I see no reason and no upside to shoulder shots (high shoulders are something else) unless they simply give you confidence. I killed an elk about two weeks ago, and one shoulder was shattered (accidentally shot too far forward). That bull made it about 50 yards before crashing. I've seen antelope run with both shoulders broke too. Never very far, but they still run.
