Have always hunted with traditional flintlocks with round ball until this year. Bought a new CVA Accura after witnessing the incredible accuracy my son got with his. Since I hunt in S. GA in deep woods, I wanted a bullet that would anchor the deer as quickly as possible and leave a blood trail ( I hate those after dark carcass hunts). Chose a 295 HP Copper with two pellets of white hots. Pre-season accuracy testing was satisfactory at the ranges I hunt. Anyway, shot a nice doe this Saturday, range 15 yards. Aimed at top of shoulder at 90 degree angle. Deer ran off into the thickets. Got down, no fur, no blood, no fat no nothing. Started walking the way she went. Found her 35 yards away.

On cleaning, I found that the 295 HP Powerbelt I used exploded on impact, destroying the top part of the shoulder and doing extensive damage into the neck veins and arteries. Never found the bullet, and it did not exit. Lost a lot of good meat.

Now consider the factors: Did I shoot too close for this bullet? Should I have aimed for the heart and lungs? With 2 pellets (100gr) it could not have been overpowered. Lessons learned, I won't use a HP, but I will continue to use Powerbelts, maybe one with an aerotip that will allow it to penetrate further, and I'll aim for the lungs without any heavy bone to penetrate and cause a break up. When I get back up to GA, I'll check the bone pile and see if I can find the bullet.