thanks for the input...I used a hornady sabot 45-300 gr. XTP MAG. I am new to the whole black powder hunting scene and dearly love it. My gun was given to me from my brother-in-law. It shoots very well...1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. We have a shooting range at our home and I shoot it quite often. There was another reply to my post that states I might have hit bone and had a large fragmentation, this sounds very practical. I wish I knew more about muzzleloaders, but unfortunately I do not. This time next year I will be able to reply to others in search of answers. Until then...its all about learning,(for me anyhow). Thank you all!