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First Ever Situation

Lack of blood trail is why I gave up on shoulder shots awhile ago.
Great when they're DRT, but profoundly suboptimal when they run.

I aim behind shoulder for two reasons. First is i really like shoulder roasts. Second is because I've never seen a deer not die soon from a double lung gunshot. They're generally dead inside 100yds and the only meat i lose is a couple ribs.
 
Try the 240gr xtp MAG's. They have a heavier jacket and are made for higher velocity than the standard xtp pistol rounds. Should shoot the same or close to your xtp's. Do a quick range check and adjust as needed.
My old mz LOVED the 240 xtp mags. Out of dozens of deer only had 5-6 run and they didn't make it far.
My new mz hates the 240's but loves a 300 gr xtp mag. Every single deer I shoot with the 300 xtp mag runs but only about 50 feet. When I use the 300 xtp (not mag) they run about 50-70 yds but have huge wound channel and great blood trails. The plain xtp's have much more fragmentation, especially when hitting bone. The Mags, have much better weight retention but still expand well.
This has been my experience, your mileage may vary.
 
I shoot 350 gr. Maxi-Hunters. IF I shoot shoulder it
will usually be under the skin on opposite side.
 
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That is weird. Never heard of anything like that, finding part of the bullet on the ground with no blood. I have used the 240 gr xtps for a long time, and they have performed well for me, even when hitting shoulder on entry.
 
Muzzleloaders are not close to equal of even light centerfire deer rifles like a 260 or 243, they are more akin to shooting one with a 44 magnum rifle.
That is very odd.
I shot one on halloween night 1981 at aedc with a patched .45 RB at 35 yds. His front end went down but his back legs stayed up, after about 4-5 seconds he got his front feet under him and took off and that was the last we ever saw of him.
 

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