Thanks for the responses. Cub, you are absolutely right. Coming fresh out of the instrument world, I am finding it difficult to transition to aggressive maneuvering. Add 45 degrees to low altitude, and yes sure I am definitely not comfortable with this. The instructor did tell me that he doesn't encourage such maneuvering, but the objective is to turn to the landing sight immediately and do the best you can to make it to the field (S-turns, slips etc.) instead of wasting valuable altitude by making shallow turns. Also I am at fault for running the checklist. He said nothing of using one, but it was my thinking that the BGUMPS checklist has to be done to ensure a safe outcome, emergency or not. I think I should practice steep turns in general at altitude and get a feel for the aircraft. Yes it does sink like a rock.