They do have limits, though. Lewis and Clark found the issue load for their .54's was to light for the plains grizzlies.

The issue charge in the paper ctgs. for the pre-patched balls was only 60gr. with slightly inferior powder to today - until about 1820.

By the 1830's and 1840's, bison were being shot with Martial (issue).54 flint pistols from horseback. Those pistols and the larger bored English dueling pistols were thought quite highly of for dispatching buffalo while 'running' them.

Any bison close by, Doug? Now THAT would be fun - pistol or rifle.