Over penetration is one thing that the newer design ammunition can deal with.
My question to handgun hunters, would you use 9mm for a dangerous predator that weighed 350-400 lbs ?
Were I actually TARGETTING the predator you posited, I would use a larger caliber than my 7.62. That said, I don’t ever hunt predators, especially with a handgun. My little guy is more than adequate to my purpose, so I suppose the answer is YES, I WOULD, if I had to. However, there is a reason I hunt with a rifle, not a handgun...
How about you, “Rev”? How would YOU deal with a surprise situation?
You use the tools you have, because wishing for a better tool just gets you dead. Quickly.
I am not a Hunter, but I assume the reason for the bigger calibers is for “trail use.”