I've shot quite a few with a 54 cal Renegade with 435 gr Maxiballs and 100 gr Pyrodex. IMO it is perfect for deer. Some drop, some do not. Your shot obviously affected the CNS and dropped the deer. Your next shot with almost the same point of impact could result in the deer running a good ways. It has happened to me. The 54 round ball is also a good load, but I would not switch to it because the conical is "overkill". In all my ML hunting, I prefer to get a passthrough. Maxiballs have done that for me on all but end-to-end type shots.