In my camp we use X bullets exclusively and have taken at least 20 whitetails over the last 7 seasons with them. The exit wound isn't huge as the mushroomed bullet cuts through the hide almost like a broadhead does. However, when you gut or skin these deer, you'll see that the damage on the indside is amazing. I always thought Nosler Partitions left small exit wounds but not too many people complain about their effectiveness on game. The deer will start to leave a blood trail after the chest cavity fill up with blood and it starts coming out the body. Your deer never made it that far.