I have shot, or watched shot, approx. 20 critters from antelope to deer to elk with Barnes X type bullets (X, XLC MRX, Triple Shock, and TTSX).
The only time more than one shot was taken was when we weren't sure how good the first shot was so a quick second one was done for insurance.
Calibers were 24, 25, 7MM, and 30.
Most all were classic lung shots. Contrary to others experiences most went less than 20 yards. What initially impressed me with the bullets was that the first 2 deer we shot dropped in their tracks with lung shots. Every other animal I had shot in the lungs had ran 50 to 100 yards and then dropped.
Ranges were from 75 to 500 yards with the average being 250 to 300.
We have recovered only a few bullets mainly on elk when quartering and hitting a shoulder or two.
My only other experience with a premium bullet was when my daughter shot a moose with 180 Accubond in a 338. The moose was laying down at about 75 yards in thick cover. This is not a good shot and normally I would wait for the animal to get up. But given that she was a novice and this was probably her best chance I told her to put it behind the shoulder and squeeze. At the shot the moose quivered and then struggled to stand. I told her it was already done in but to put another one in it for insurance. It took a few steps and tipped over. The autopsy revealed that the first shot had hit its elbow, splattered, and did not even enter the rib cage. If she had not shot it a second time we would have been tracking for a long time.
My thought at the time was that if it had been a Barnes it would have penetrated on the first shot.
I am sure other brands of bullets are great but Barnes have seemed to work for us so far.