To set my simple mind at ease?

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there is a technique to shoot about anything from anything. IF you have the patience and like to tinker. The movie "Shooter" even had a fascinating scene about the antiquated practice.

You can actually "Paper Patch" to shoot an undersize bullet in a larger bore. This can often greatly enhance the choices. Ross Seyfried in the 1980's had an article in G&A about expanding the practice to jacketed bullets. Back when it was legal to actually write an interesting off the wall article like they did in the 50's and 60's. I needed a rifle quality jacketed bullet for my .440 GNR and bumped up a .416/400 gr. that ran 1900 fps and shot into 2" at 50 yds. with me flinching all over. It was an Encore handgun! The trick is to rough up the jacket a little by rolling it on a file and making sure the paper extends over the ojive or nose of the bullet. I have some really bastard size homogeneous alloy Barnes bullets that will be so utilized.

I'm not saying go off and do this but it shows there are alternatives to solve a lot of problems. I've even bought muzzle loader projectiles to shoot the non-commercial solid bullets use in the sabots! If you only need a few for testing and hunting.