3 deer killed so far with 123gr SST. All sunset last minute shots, within 100 yds, so...
First one my son shot. little too far back. I knew where it was going when it ran. Good exit wound but not a lot of blood, ran about 50 yards.
Second one was me. Really too dark to have shot. 120lb doe, facing to my right. Shot low, went through her right front leg and in and out of lower body, through the lungs. No blood. Once again, I knew where she was going and found her around 30 yards in the woods.
Third was a 160lb buck. Another late shot. (That's the usual in Mississippi) Was slightly quartered away from me, facing my right. Entered just behind his right shoulder, exited dead center of left shoulder. No blood until after it ran smack through a barbed wire fence, and was down about 40 yards from where he was shot.
On all the deer there was significant internal damage, but it is not opening up the exit side to give a good blood trail. So shot placement and knowledge about your deer's habits are essential I would think.
I'm using a 20" Odin Works barrel, and plan on having a 12.5" barrel for next year because I don't like heavy things.
I used a suppressor on all shots, so I always could hear the bullet hit.
Bottom line is... I would be willing to try something else, and I'm scratching my head at all of these 400 yard stone cold killer round stories I've heard.