Your mention of Elmer Keith brought back memories of his many articles in assorted outdoors magazines. Keith is the father of the modern .44 magnum round. He developed the round from a lengthened .44 special case, making more room for the magnum powder load. Keith is credited with deer kills in the western prairies with a Smith and Wesson Model 29 revolver with a SIX inch barrel and open sights at over 400 yards. That has to be somewhat like firing a mortar. Sorry I didn't really contribute to your pistol wad subject. But Elmer Keith is a legend.

Keith