the deer broke the broadhead out of the insert, the penetration was what I figured a hair over 2/3 of the head made it in.
THis could have been your whole problem. Ashby finds that complete arrow integrity to be number one or two biggest problems with penetration. You may want to look at steel inserts.
As far as deer. I pretty much expect to see at least something when I hunt. THe majorities of times I do. As far as shoots, it depends, but pretty much every year presents itself something.