You really cannot knock experience can you, and Jagare has summed it up perfectly.
What ever way you look at it, it all comes down to the stalker doing his/her job properly, and having a larger caliber with the ability to inflict bigger wounds does not make you a better stalker. The right tool for the right job is a large part of the answer, and in this case the stalker forms a large percentage of the tool.
No responsible stalker would go into the field with a gun where the zero was not checked, if they do then it is them and not the gun that is at fault. If the zero is good but the shot is not, then it is them and not the gun that is at fault. If they are using a gun to do a job that it is not meant for and it all goes wrong, then it is them and not the gun that is at fault. Remember that your rifle will not jump off your shoulder, aim at a beast and fire itself, you have to do that part. You accept the congratulations if it is a success and you are regarded as a marksman, you should also accept the blame if it goes wrong because of you. Cock ups occur it is a fact of life, live with it don't keep trying to find an excuse.
John