IMO you've got to treat Shockwaves in a ML just like you would treat a Ballistic Tip in a centerfire. They are not made for up close hunting, and they will not always exit. What they will do is shoot very accurately, make a great load for a hunter who reaches out a ways, and work up close if you are careful with your shot placement.

I had one this year that didn't exit, and because of that, it left a lousy bloodtrail on an otherwise fantastic shot. I don't consider that to be the bullets fault, or even a failure. It did what it was supposed to do, it hit exactly where I aimed, and it opened quickly, and itshredded the vitals. I was just too close, and velocity was too high, it pulled apart instead staying together and exiting. Thats about what I expected given what I've seen with Ballistic Tips at close range. I would not hesitate to load my ML with Shockwaves again.

That said, with the stand placement I've settled on for now, 75yards is as far as I can see. Next yearI will be using something more suited for close range woods hunting, like Barnes Expanders, not a SST/Shockwave.