Well, that sucks! I can't imagine how you feel.

I think your load was too light for deer. It could work, or it could not. I wouldn't be comfortable with it.

Today I went and shot my Optima with some 300gr Aerolite PB's. I used 100gr of BH 209. Very accurate to 200yds. I wouldn't use anything less for deer, and I wouldn't take a chance with the load on elk.

Just my .02. Maybe only .01.