Great test, of sorts. It's always good to know what does and doesn't work and why.

I like head shots, in an overall aspect. In my experience deer don't do well after being hit there even with small calibers, very small calibers. The last head shot I took was with a 45 grain Winchester white box .223 Rem. I shot her just below and forward of the eye in a slight quartering-to angle, but not so much as to glance off bone. She dropped and kicked once or twice.

No autopsy as the entire skull was like a broken flower pot inside a canvas bag and I figured 'good enough'.

As a plus, the head shot gives over both front shoulders for more ground venison.