I never use VATS and I act according to the real life rule to never shoot at arms or legs. If the enemy is too strong and there is room enough to run I sprint away without shooting, search cover and return fire, center mass or head. Rinse and repeat. For some enemies (some legendary named, Deathclaws f.e., if they get not stuck as usual) I look for obstacles to run around.

What "real life rule" never shoot the arms or legs? If you mess up someone's hands, they can no longer use a weapon, shoot their legs they can't run. You can't get valuable information from a corpse.