they'll do the job if you dont screw up the shot. Get a good lung hit and you're going to have a blood trail. I shoot 110 grains fffg goex with a .490 speer round ball and it does a great job. People have been hunting with round balls for more years than the conical bullet. What do u think davy crocket used to kill those 300 black bears? Get a good clean shot and you wont have to search far.