I have no experience with saboted bullets.

I've shot a few deer now with Hornady FPBs over 100 gr loose Pyrodex. Furthest shot was this year, just shy of 100 yds. Closest shot was just under 40 yds. 5 deer total, all pass-throughs, decent blood trails.

My experience is not a very large sample, but I fully expect the bullet will give a pass-through, whether the shot is close or "far" and they do seem to expand to some degree.

They now come in 300 and 350 grain. Give them a shot.