Generally, it is a misconception that large calibres damage a lot of meat on smaller animals. Usually it is just the opposite. Bullets for these calibres are usually stoutly constructed in order to control expansion in heavy game and as such do not expand that much in a lighter animal. As an examble, about a month ago in Zimbabwe,I shot a Klipspringer, a 25 lb animal, at about 80 yards. I used my double rifle in calibre .450 #2 NE with a Hornady 350 grain RNSP at 2200 fps. The damage to this little guy was greatly less than if I had shot him with my .264 Win. Mag, 140 grain Nosler Partition, at 3200 fps!
