Actually, a bowling ball dropped from orbit impacts with no more force ("power") than one dropped from say, 300 feet. Once an object reaches its terminal velocity due to gravity, additional height doesn't increase velocity.
Similarly, any bullet so powerful it blows a hole through the 'target' will cease imparting energy ("power") once it exits the target. That's not to say power isn't beneficial: additional power can provide more penetration which certainly helps if an adversary uses hard cover (vehicles, walls, etc.). Even if penetration is not achieved, a projectile with more energy can damage up to including killing an adversary wearing a protective vest through blunt force trauma.
I just wonder where the 'sweet spot' is on power vs portability/convenience. I think it's a matter of choice backed by personal preference presented as rationale. As rigorous studies have shown, there's a lot of hype that isn't supported by terminal ballistics. But if bullet diameter and power is the 'fix all', let's all carry .44 Magnums or a Linebaugh .500.
I mean, even being "realistic" in the area of EDC, there are 5-shot revolvers in .44 Special which are not significantly larger or heavier than many .38 Special revolvers designed for concealed carry.
A lot depends on the threat. I don't expect to be attacked by grizzly bears wearing protective vests on my property so I don't pack a bear gun. Of course, if I expected or assessed even a moderate risk of bear attack, I'd probably carry a rifle.
In the realm of terminal ballistics, the most powerful handgun is a poor substitute for most rifles. Studies of Old West shootings reveal that rifles/carbines were usually the weapons of choice brought to the fray when known it was for sure going to hit the fan.
Of course, just don't take an M1 Carbine (no knockdown power) or a Mini 14 (inaccurate).
;-)
But terminal velocity doesn't sound as cool as nuking it from orbit and yet it doesn't change my statement.
3 feet vs 300 feet is a pretty big energy difference.
Neutrinos travel close to the speed of light or so I'm told. Since they are extremely small they do not effect you. "Every second, trillions of neutrinos are passing through your body, since you’re also transparent to these guys. By my rough estimate about 100 trillion, to be more specific. That means over the course of your lifetime, about 10^23 neutrinos will stream through your body – that’s almost a trillion trillions"
They have mass but they are at the point where speed doesn't matter since they are so small they have no major effect.
There is a point where no matter how fast you push an object it will lose effectiveness. I've no idea since I'm no physicist. a needle traveling 1000 fps will do less damage than a Spike going 1000 fps.
This is why rifles cant really compare to most handguns but I'd guess that some of the more powerful handguns will transfer just as much if not more energy to a target at close range than some lower powered rifles.
If all the Energy passes though without an energy dump then there is only hydrostatic shock and wound cavity. Again I'm no trauma surgeon but to me it makes common sense that a pass through with the same Energy FP wont change much. Random Data: 223 has 1282 muzzle energy a 44 mag has 1214 muzzle energy. This varies a bit depending on who loads it and barrel length.
But I'm rambling, time for ramble #2
There is a fastest car and there is a truck with the most pulling power. So "My ultimate opinion" Depending on what you are able to accurately shoot/control there IS a best caliber for everything. Some may still do the job but there IS a best bullet to hunt elephants, the IS a best bullet to hunt prairie dogs and there is a best caliber to stop a threat. In shooting competitions some may vary a but, usually isn't there a caliber, bullet weight, barrel length, ect... that tend to dominate once its found out that it works more effectively?
Depending, you may alter this according to how many rounds you want to miss with or what weight you don't want to carry but there IS always something that will do a better job than something else depending on the circumstances and limitations you put on it. a 357 sig will penetrate barriers better than a 45 acp. Its a fact.
A 300 wm makes a better sniper cartridge at 1 mile than a 300 blackout. To end my second ramble, justify whatever you want as the best "for you" but that doesn't mean its the best.