I certainly believe so. Sure makes something “those in the know” more capable than it’s said to be. Look at what the lowly .36 cal can even do at what we think of as dismal velocities.
Many of the 120-130 grn bullets show a muzzle velocity close to 1000 fps when using an energetic powder. According to the chart given on Beartooth’s at 900 fps and with a Keith style meplat (not even the widest at .250”, which is just 70%) it should potentially cut a .563” permanent wound track, or larger than what a .50 cal (.490”) ball would out at 100 yds, and with a greater sectional density.
And that’s not to say this would be my choice, especially when I could use a .44 cal WFN bullet with a .375” (83%) that will typically produce more of what the .45 cal Sledgehammer with a .370” meplat does.
I knew that Elmer Keith (not necessarily the only, but the one most have heard of) had come up with very effective designs, but prior to really reading much about it I believed, as many claim, a magnum with a hollow point is necessary to be effective and humane. And that’s not to say an expanding bullet from a magnum doesn’t create a greater wound channel or wouldn’t be considered ideal in many cases, though it typically does give up some penetration.
There are plenty of people on a modern cast bullet forum who, much like the traditional muzzleloader forum fellows can attest to a lowly ball’s effectiveness, can attest to the wide meplat being rather effective even at low velocities.
