; To humans, as long as it is airborn, it is harmful. We aren't talkiing about it being harmfull, but lethal to big game. Into that argument also comes 'ethical'. The problem with buckshot is there are few pellets in a load and they are all of light weight, starting initially at a low speed. Most states will not allow use of round balls of less size than .45 for hunting of deer or other 'big' game during the muzzleloading season. Some States allow as small as .40's, which is a 90 to 94 gr. ball, 50% greater weight than a single 000 buck. The reason for not allowing the .40's is lack of penetration, yet on smaller deer, they seem to do OK as long as no bones are hit. Now, those little .40 cal. balls are normally starting out at 2,000fps to 2,300fps and yet they are legislated against in most States. I shoot a .40 myself for target competition, have a .45 barrel for the deer around here, I wouldn't consider shooting one with the .40 round ball. Will it kill a deer - yes, given the best conditions, shooting angles, etc - maybe every time. Would it penetrate to the off lung of a moose on a broadside shot - I don't know, doubt it and will never find out - it isn't an ethical moose calibre in my books & neither is a .45. Is there a big possibility of somthing going wrong and merely wounding the deer - yes, and that's why I won't use it. Moose hunters seem to agree that .50 is the minimum and only a 50 yard moose rifle at best. That's a 180gr. ball, 1/2" in diameter, starting at 1,8000 to 2,000fps. I will probably make up a new barrel in .50 cal. for my rifle, just to have a more effective ball for deer shooting - or buy the English Flinter .58 I've got my eye on and have a descent moose rifle as well. I have a lot more faith in a 285gr. ball. A smaller ball may result in a dead animal, but I'd rather do my hunting before the shot.