While I understand that a jacket separating from the core is not consistant with a Madison avenue idea of bullet performance, if the bullet is properly placed, it really doesn't make a lot of difference. Don't forget that several deer have been killed with plain lead slugs.
FWIW, I once shot a deer with a 12gause slug. At the shot, the deer slammed to the ground in a most dramatic manner. No doubt that he was dead. As I was climbing down from my tree stand, I watch the deer cross a little clearing going hell bent for election. The deer was leaving a blood trail that a blind man could follow. Long story short, the deer was shot by another hunter. The deer had run right at 100 yards with his sterum blown loose and his heart and one lung hanging out of his chest. That made me a firm believer in keeping the animal covered until you are pretty sure it's dead and if there's any doubt, give it another round.

I think I have the mystery solved. A golfer on this golf course where the deer was poached (clear as your front yard) rode up on his kart and used a 2 wood or a 5 iron and finished off the deer. Tagged it and loaded it onto his golf cart and drove off.

For over 30 years and I quit counting how many critters..... 30-06 w/ 180 Nosler Partition, 57 Grains 4350 IMR, WW Brass. & WLRP primers. Everything from Dik-dik to Eland including lion and leopard. Works for me!

My favorite load for my 06 has always been with the Sierra 180 SPBT.. I have taken probably over 30 whitetails with it in Pa, two mulies and two pronghorns with it in Wy. All were shot from 40 to 200 yards, and all were pass throughs.
when I went to Africa in 2012, I took my 06, but loaded the 180 Nosler partition instead of the Sierra. All were pass throughs except for the zebra who soaked up three of them before going down.

In my rifle, (rem 700) both of the above bullets hold the same point of impact. Either way you go, you can't lose.

Oh, and I have yet to find a load for the 150 gr bullet that shoots consisctently well in my 06. The lightest bullet it will handle consistently is the 168.

Sounds similar to my 06,Pa.Frank.Sierra 180gr spitzer boat tails are one holers with H 4831 and RL 19 and 150 grainers are hot and cold.