Andre

The reason some of the smaller cartridges in the past performed very well on African game and would so again today if they were permitted or chosen for use, was the heavier bullets in these cartridges possessed very good sectional densities i.e. long for calibre bullets. This gave them good straight line penetration with FMJ or soft nose bullets. With long heavy soft nose bullets, good expansion will result leaving enough shank at the rear to prevent breakup or tumbling and achieving that straight line penetration to get into the vitals of big game animals.

This is the quality which made the 9.3, 375, 400, 404, 416, 425 so famous for their reliability in doing the job. Obviously as you so rightly point out, the nut behind the butt has to do his or her part but if this is done, there was generally no question that these calibres would do the job asked of them. Even the long stable bullets of the little 6.5 and 7mm and 318 achieved fame in the hands of certain hunters through marksmanship and well constructed bullets with good SD.

Somewhat differant hunting today where there is a PH and usually one or two others carrying large calibre rifles to back up any poor shots or poor performing bullets.

For me, and I suspect many others on the forum, I prefer to take responsibility for my own hunting and shooting and would be dismayed to have a PH or anyone else have to assist me to down an animal.
Hence I would be using my 404, loaded as it should be, sighted where it should be and hit the animal where it should be hit.