I've switched to Hammers and I'm not going back. I've shot 6 deer now with various calibers and bullet weights/types, and they have all dropped within 30 yards of where I hit them with one being a bang/flop.
25-06 with 90gr AH running 3611 fps
6.5CM with 85gr HH running 3402 fps (20" barrel)
270 WSM with 122gr HHT running 3445 fps
The 122gr HHT was really more devastating than I like on this year's buck....probably better suited to elk sized game. I'm going to do some load development this summer with the 116gr AH and (hopefully) see how it does next fall on deer.
In the oddly enough department, 4 of the above deer ran in a circle before piling up. I really don't recall seeing that happen on any of the deer I have taken between 1978 to 2021 with lead core bullets. My buck this year ran in 1 1/2 circles and I found him 25 yards from where I shot him:

25-06 with 90gr AH running 3611 fps
6.5CM with 85gr HH running 3402 fps (20" barrel)
270 WSM with 122gr HHT running 3445 fps
The 122gr HHT was really more devastating than I like on this year's buck....probably better suited to elk sized game. I'm going to do some load development this summer with the 116gr AH and (hopefully) see how it does next fall on deer.
In the oddly enough department, 4 of the above deer ran in a circle before piling up. I really don't recall seeing that happen on any of the deer I have taken between 1978 to 2021 with lead core bullets. My buck this year ran in 1 1/2 circles and I found him 25 yards from where I shot him:
