Stopping power is a very interesting subject.
I’m not trying to start a fight, it’s hard to tell on the internet, I’m curious and interested.
Prior to the head shot, did he take any hit’s where caliber would make a difference? I’ve heard reference to a hits to the extremities and a hit to the head. Did he take any solid hits to the torso and keep coming? I ask because that is where “stopping power” comes into play.
I have Marshal’s original book published in the late 1900’s. At the time, defense ammo was in its infancy but it was clear there was a difference between ammo. 125 gr HP .357 ammo coming out of service length barrels were more effective than 9mm or 45 auto especially when many departments were still hesitant to move on from FMJ ammo.
You are correct there is no replacement for shot placement, but you want to maximize a good shot. We are very lucky, we now have ammo in 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 Auto and 357 mag with documented one shot stops (torso hits) in the 90+%. We live in an time, with proper ammo selection, arguing over caliber is a waste of time.
That was a long winded way of saying I agree with you and making a post so I can follow the conversation.
Well that`s what I`ve heard about the long ridiculed .380 cartridge. I chose the Bersa Plus because it`s a double stack, it is a 15+1 yet it`s almost as small as the single stack Bersas I handled. But I`ve carried a mix of ammo depending on weather, frangible DRT, which many say is a no-no, during summer. And hollow point or cast flat nose Buffalo brand during cold months, but mostly all in +P loadings (try finding DRT in +P).