All I can attest to is my experiences. The heavier bullets tend to deflect less (maybe they deform less?), they seem to keep there integrity better if they hit something, (Quote "Heavier bullets in a given caliber tend to be designed with thicker jackets for deeper penetration on larger game. Deer don't need them"). And they often seem to expand less/slower than lighter bullets. This isn't all bullets, just the ones I've tried. And also some bullets designed for quick expansion seem to come apart easier if they hit something between the rifle and the target.

It also depends on what you hit, I don't shoot if it is a impossible shot, but a little tall grass, a tall green weed or a twig is enough sometimes.

The larger mid velocity calibers most often have heavier bullets, the weight seems to help them deflect less.

I have caught many Deer over the years using the tall grass, that the mower misses, next to a barbed wire fence. They seem to like using it as cover to sneak across open areas. I've shot through a wisp of grass or tall weeds and had some bullets come apart, the Deer ended up looking like I'd used a shotgun. I had one Deer that looked like road kill. It doesn't happen often, but often enough to be a consideration.

It has happened too many times to be fiction. I've also had numerous hole in hole out with no expansion, the majority with heavier bullets. But I sure haven't tried every possible bullet available. I Mostly shoot Core Lokt now, a reasonable compromise IMO.

It is often a compromise and no one bullet is going to perform best in all situations.

Another consideration is what your rifle prefers. Mine prefers a 165- 167 gr pointed boat tail. Yours may like something else.