[M1911A1]

“....and shot NINETEEN times at that deer, hit it twice (gutshot once and across the left rear ankle)”

Sounds like that could well be a shooter issue as much as a firearm or cartridge issue. My carbine will group five shots in about four inches at a hundred yards if I do my part off a bench. That’s about typical for the ones I’ve seen.

While the round is light enough that using it on deer isn’t legal in many states, it’s certainly capable of doing the job with proper placement. Seventeen loud noises and two marginal hits won’t kill a deer with about any rifle round you care to mention.

[Southbound]

It was a shooter issue alright, he was very nearly blind and DID go blind a few years later. Needless to say, he wore out his welcome in a hurry on our place. Haven't seen the guy in years. You're correct, placement is key, but I still prefer something with enough oomph to knock one down and jump up and down on him if need be. Especially around here, where there's a lot of heavy brush hunting.