I have taken two critters using Ballistic Tips. The first was an Antelope at about 200 yds. with 150 gn. . 280 at about 2750 fps mv. Broadside shot and I spined it. It came in half when we cleaned it. The bullet didn't "fail", but jeez what a mess.
Since then I had read several times that Ballistic Tips in calibers above .30 were built a lot tougher. They shoot good on paper, so I thought I'd try them again.
This time I shot an Elk at 143 lasered yds with a 250 gn. BT. at about 2400 fps mv. from a 9.3 x 62 Mauser. Again a broadside shot about 3" behind his pointy little elbow. A 2 1/2" hole going in, shredded the heart, and exited like buck shot. This bullet really didn't "fail" either, because it killed the elk
I realize that this wasn't a thousand round case study, but it was enough to convince me that there are better bullets for big game.