S. Texas,
Based on what I have picked up on this thread and after re-evaluating my own limited experience with this bullet, I really think the bullet is fine for the way I am using it, but just a bit stouter than I assumed it would be.
As far as the other two deer go, only one is pertinent because the other was a close range neck shot. The one worth noting was hit high in the left shoulder as she stood somewhat facing me at a distance of about 100 yards. The bullet broke this shoulder as well as the spine and exited the right rib cage without leaving an excessive exit hole. Like I said, it is probably a bit tougher than I expected.
Our little town (pop. 311) is located at the confluence of two creeks that, in time past, was used by Indians of various tribes as a temporary camp. This camp was halfway between two more permanent large camps -- one near what is now Casper on the Platt River and the other on the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River in what is now south-central Montana. The distance to either of these larger camps from the smaller temporary camping place was referred to by the Indians as "ten sleeps" -- the number of "sleeps" it took to make the journey either way. Probably, it was an eleven day trip that required "ten sleeps." Hope I explained this clearly enough to make it understandable!
Thanks for the interesting response and good insght,
M. Bell