I would have to agree. I might add that, its little brother, the .40 is a close competitor. And a versatile hunter might choose a .40 if he is bent on small game and a little big game, like i am, or a .45 if he is bent on big game with some small game. I currently use a .44 mostly, and mostly hunt small game. I'm not displeased with it. It may well be that the .45 wins. All of my squirrels are killed in the head, so, i suppose i could use a .58 if i wanted, but then there is powder and lead considerations.... a .40 and a .45 is a close tie. If you're a long range shooter, like I'm NOT, wind resistance is a factor, and a .45 may well win out. And that does make it a bit better. It can do everything smallgame wise that a .40 can, and better...considering that you are never taking meat shots with either...although the .40 is a hair flatter, but us true shooters don't really like flat guns much anyways.