Had a friend of mine shoot a nice 8 pt with just this same bullet. the blood trail drove me nuts. It was just like yours. One speck here and then another one there a few yes away. He had a great shot and we finally found the beast.

Now in my case, I use the Hornady sabot with a 300 gr XTP and green sabot. I have been using this sabot for about 10 or so yrs and have had only one deer take me for a long hike of over 100 yds. I swear by this saboted bullet and it has not failed me yet. I am using 100 grs. of BH209 behind it.