Knockdown power on deer.....???

[2ndamendment]

I have been using a bolt action .243 as my weapon of choice for 26 years. I have actually lost count of how many deer have been shot with it. I have placed shots on deer from 20 yards to 200 + yards over the 26 years. I will admit I have had several deer lost after hitting the ground then getting up and running off. One recent loss was a shot taken at 30 yards, the deer hit the ground like a sledge hammer hit it, after several minutes the deer scrambled up and got away. I applied that loss to a bad shot placement and me making noise which alerted the deer to scramble. Shot placement is very important. I also believe that a factor in a deer running off is the deers will to live. If a deers adrenaline is high, that deer can run with a bullet through the heart for a long distance. I have noticed that, when a properly placed shot on a deer that is more calm feeding or walking tends to drop in place or go a short distance and lays down.