I agree with Prairie G's comment above, re bullet failure, not cartridge inadequacy.
Curious, though, you go on to say you & a friend (She), shot an antelope, started tracking & then you say; "THEY looked till dark".
1 question & one more observation/opinion.
Why did you/THEY stop looking at dark ?
Afternoon hunt, surely you/they were equipped with flash lights, GPS, compass etc, needed for an end of day/evening recovery !
As to finding what was left of the animal the next morning, after the coyotes had had at it all night, I'd opine that it would be pretty hard to tell that it was the "good shot" you described.
Paul.
"Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"
