just thought i'd say the larger the caliber does'nt always mean you will drop the animal instantly
watched a u tube video where someone shot a whitetail deer doe with a 50 bmg right behind the shoulder broadside and it ran a long way even with a hole that you could fit a basketball in his side
but bigger does help
see if you can find that video
look up 50bmg deer kill
shot my bull with my bow and had easy recovery within 40 yards
shot placement means more than power
ya i hunt western and i know what you mean on thick cover
if you worry more about your shot placement and less about the power of the gun you'll have less to worry about
