A .54 cailber muzzleloader shoots a 240 grain pill at about 1500 fps. Sound similar to any other guns you know of? The .44 Magnum. Essentially, a .54 caliber smokepole is as powerful as a 44 magnum. Granted, a .44 has better downrange ballistics. Which is more powerful? The .308 or the .44 Magnum?
What it really comes down to is shot placement. A good shot with a .308 is better than a crappy shot with a .338. I think, Rebel, your lookin for an excuse to buy a new rifle. Hell, I cant blame a man for that!!!