As stated before, I used to think they were too small...till I saw the damage one did from a guy that I've hunted w/ for the past 10 years...He has yet to loose a deer with his, and he shoots an average of 3 deer per year, and countless hogs...so do the math. When I discussed my shoulder problems he said, put the cannon away, and get a 22-250. Having been sold on what I saw his do, I bought one. Because the recoil is so light, there is just no danger of flinching. That is why you can shoot one so precise. As the pix show, the damage is enormous. I hope to shoot a hog soon and post pix of it. The shot to the shoulder really cuts down on the chase. It tends to render the shoulders useless, and makes running very difficult...per his advice. Lung shots behind the shoulder that are not quartering away do generally result in a short trail, but the exit wound...yes I said exit wound...leaves a great blood trail. Per his advice, my shots were on the shoulders w/ all 3 deer this season...(I got a doe on Friday...) That doe went in a circle about 10 yds. The shoulders looked like the ones in the pix above. The bullet exited this time and I did not recover it. I didn't take pix because it was raining too much to take out he camera. But I think my point was made. I'm going hog hunting this weekend (I think) and hopefully will have pix to share. I may go for a head shot because I don't want to ruin meat, but I may go for a shoulder just to prove the point. The range, rest, and animal movement will determine where that shot is placed.
I hope everyone had a great season!