CMnash, My selection of my .454 came after several years of handgun failures. Maybe it was due to poor shot selection, but I doubt it, since I tried to shoot them in the same place with all my guns. I think the success of my .454 is due to the combination of energy, speed, shock effect of the HP (that I didn't see with SWCs, Flat points, slow HPs).
My failures were .223, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., .45-70.
I did do one successful kill with my 6.5JDJ (120 BT) and .375 JDJ (Horn. 220 FP), but those two just seemed like over kill, plus the revolver is so much easier to carry. WV turkey season is during squirrel season, so I'm carrying a silenced Ruger MK III and my .454. Carrying them in holsters is a lot easier than lugging around a long handgun on a sling.