I think the mound of the bunker and your ball position in the sand limits the shot you can play. For me, the idea is to get the ball on the green, if it gets close to the hole there's an element of good luck involved.

If I'm not under the face of the bunker say in the middle, I'll play a forcefull chip with the sand iron and just pick the ball off the surface rather than trying to play a splash. I've never tried to measure the degree of trajectory but it will be around 45* or so.

I won't chance playing the ball forward if I'm up in the face or lieing at the bottom of the bunker face. Getting the ball into play and the chance of an easier shot is more important than risking a shot to the green with the increased possibility of landing back into the bunker.

Paul