I don't expect terminal performance to make up for poor shot placement. But given the hits were relatively close to vitals, I guess I had expected SOME form of trail to help me recover these animals. Although the longer of my three shots may have been a lucky break for me, it got me wondering whether these bullets fared better at longer distances than at shorter ranges. I took the long shot because I was confident in the bullets accuracy having practiced with it at these distances. What worries me is what happens to this bullet AFTER it hits the deer. That was my point. Maybe I've been spoiled by my 12 gauge sabots. They seem pretty good at dropping 'em even on marginal hits. *