RE: Pistol Killing Power
The question shouldnt be will it kill any faster. There are cartridges smaller than the .44 magnum that will kill as quick as the .44 or faster if a deer is hit in the proper place. Its done all the time but I think the .44 mag should be the minimum cartridge used for deer. I used a .357 magnum once and it killed but not well enough for me to use it again.
The .454 ballistically is far superior though. It has more velocity, larger bullet diameter, larger bullet weights, but all this comes at a cost of recoil. If you cant shoot it well it might as well be a .44 mag. If you can handle it then go for it. You can shoot .45 long colts from it too. I shot a raging bull once with full power loads and it wasnt bad at all due to the muzzlebreak. I myself am looking to get a new 15" ported .500 S&W barrel for my Encore. Now this is power.