The idea that 500 ftlbs of kinetic energy doesn't equate much more killing power than a smaller caliber with less kinetic energy is absurd. If you cant shoot the 40 as good as the 9mm, then thats a valid argument but to make a blanket statement on the actual rounds killing potential is ridiculous.
The assumption of this statement is that ALL energy necessarily goes into "killing power", which is an interesting way to put it.
There is no doubt that higher energies equate to more damage and yes every bit of it does. But how it does and how effective it is depends on a few factors. Plus how it compares to other pistol rounds.
To tell you the truth this is a never ending venture, you can form an opinion and even bring facts but proving something to someone who sees things differently is just not something that is done with any measurable percentage worth mentioning. Also for all that is the opposing view gains as many.
Here are some of the problems I see that are in the way of getting a clearer picture:
1)Proper design has not come full circle in HP ammo yet. Most won't make it through bone without a clogged tip and failing to expand and most center mass shots hit bone.
2) Gelatin test are not reflective of center mass shots where everyone is aiming due to reason #1 and are limited as to what they can provide as to the damage that can be expected from a center mass shot. I have seen the video test with bone simulant. Don't know how good it really relates to real bone because all I have seen were real thin, thinner than a rib or breastplate. If the thickness of the plate is the same scaling as bone it is too thin. Some ribs have been used here and there, but none with any real discernible and extractable data.
3) Reports that are released on the mystical "stopping power" are defunct. Data is not properly extracted and calibrated in a manner that reflects center mass only shot. Most of this data come from reports of shootings. Not doctors and coroners data based off of the center mass.
4) Coroners data related to center mass shootings and survival rates/incapacitation are few and far between. What does exist is often dismissed , likely because there is not enough samples , maybe some bias towards it, who knows. But more would be helpful. Spinal wounds vs. bullets that failed to make it to the spinal cord due to lack of penetration might be worth noting. Head wounds from the main calibers all have enough devastating effect to call them equally effective for the most part.
5) Most HP rounds are designed to work in the dreaded gelatin as if a clean human tissue shot is normal or productive. Then sold to the market with video and photos of the great expansion to get the imaginary juices flowing, oh yes that is marketing. IOW Bullet design is behind the curve.
6) The self belief system in how things work that has been influenced by different sources some more or less relevant to real life and made even bigger at times by the imagination that may have been influenced by the aforementioned factors. The results can be anything from honest belief to a biased view. Nothing good comes of that with the exception of the occasional open minded debate, even then little is accomplished because more is needed.
7) Lack of the number detailed experiences from doctors and coroners on handgun wounds by caliber. I don't ask a NASCAR driver to diagnosed an engine failure, I ask the engine designers and mechanics. Too much driver input is already in the mix and their information is best for letting someone know how the whole car is working.
I have tested the older HP's designs in various calibers back in the 80's. I got results on flesh. Bone was something I saw as a variant that would not produce the same results every time because of the aforementioned expansion problems. I had no video camera and have no video. Pictures were taken, lost in a move (probably thrown away by the ex...lol). Anyhow I feel some better testing needs to be done, video taped and put out for everyone to draw their own conclusion as to how much difference there is from one caliber to another using the same type ammunition and average gr per caliber (Even max and minimum would be fine). Similar to what
www.brassfetcher.com did only with some real bone like pork ribs. They can keep the gelatin if they want or use some pork shoulder. Since it is mentioned I believe that they have done some great testing and produced some nice comparable data but using varying gr bullet weights and brands while leaving some good ones out. Also as already mentioned, most HP's don't work good when encountering bone. When a top brand HP fails to expand 5 out of 5 times it says something about the need to improve design.
Note: I have watched thousands of YouTube videos of caliber test that produce no new results or less than useful results as many here have. There is no real organization to help find any that are of more use than the next. Looking there is less productive than just using brass fetcher IMO. Just save time and energy by doing your own test if you have unanswered questions or use them is my best advice for the moment.
After all that blabbering on I have not produced the (nonexistent) proof of differences in caliber wounds or at least to a degree to claim one more effective and to what degree . If had I done so would it even be accepted might be a good question? Doubtful. Yet we venture on and choose and believe that this caliber of this brand and weight in this gun is more effective than any other. Or we choose to think so and don't dwell on it to an all consuming level, move on and enjoy the variety of life. Then again we might choose them all as equal or best for given situations. At some point I hope we all get happy with what we have, don't let it consume our thoughts to a damaging degree, keep an open mind, and move on to other subjects more worthy of attention like how to get that next gun we been wanting!
After all this thing comes up like once a month right?!
Also read Elmer Keith ,he can teach you a few things " Sixguns".