Been there and still hunt with handguns.

The 357Mag will work but I keep it inside 50 yards from a pistol and 125 yards with the carbine. Bullets for it my favorite is the 180gr Partition which is getting hard to find since Nosler discontinued it. 6 inch barrel works fine for inside 50 yards. 44 special and 45LC with heavy hard cast bullets also will work well inside 50 yards, especially with the bullets with large meplats.

357 Max, 41 and 44 mag are where very effective revolver hunting rounds start and are effective on whitetails to 100 yards or more, again I like a 6 inch or longer barrel. Thought about getting a 460 S@W but really see no need since the 357Max and 44Mag are accurate with enough energy to go past my effective range with revolvers

Semi auto some above are available in the Desert Eagle, the 10mm also has a following.

TC Contenders/Encores are another route as are others chambered in rifle rounds work very well and can be very accurate and deliver enough energy for shots much further than most of us should be shooting.

Inside 50 yards open sights and red dots I have used with good results but beyond that I want a scope. One thing on pistol scopes the field of view is small and eye relief is even more finicky than rifle scopes so plan on practicing target acquisition is a must. I like variables in the 2-6 range but some do wear fixed 2X scopes.

For carrying I like either a sling or shoulder holster. Sling carry for the Contenders for sure and it can be used for steadier off hand shooting.

Speaking of shooting, shoot often and practice shooting from field positions to learn your limitations and stay within them when hunting.

Just rambling from my experiences your mileage may vary.

TC Contenders/Encores are another route as are others chambered in rifle rounds work very well and can be very accurate and deliver enough energy for shots much further than most of us should be shooting.

I have been an avid handgun hunter for over 30 years. I would not go smaller than a 44 mag. Here is a list of hunting handguns that I own and hunt with and I will give you my recommendation at the end:

S&W 29 44mag 8 3/8 barrel with open sights
S&W 629 44mag 6 barrel with open sights
S&W 629 44mag mountain gun 4 barrel with open sights
S&W 500mag 4 barrel with open sights
S&W 460XVR 8 3/8 barrel with variable scope
Ruger Redhawk 44 mag 7 1/2 barrel with fixed power scope
Ruger Redhawk 44mag 5 1/2 barrel with open sights
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7 1/2 barrel with open sights
Freedom Arms Premier Grade 454 Casull 7 1/2 barrel with variable scope
Freedom Arms Premier Grade 454 Casull 6 barrel with open sights
TC Encore 30-06 15" barrel with variable scope

Of all my 44's I much prefer the S&W because of their superior trigger pull. The Rugers are good guns, just not as refined as a Smith. I had trigger jobs done on all the Rugers and it improved them quite a bit. The 4" guns are mainly carry guns for when I am elk hunting or big game hunting out west. I would not go shorter than a 6" barrel for strictly handgun hunting and a 7 1/2 or 8 3/8 is even better.

I have taken deer with all my 44's, and black bear and deer with the 454 and TC Encore. I much prefer hunting with a variable scope and a good solid rest or shooting stick. My 454's were my favorite all around hunting handguns until I got the 460XVR. The 460XVR is not only a good short range gun, but a good long range gun out to 150 or so yards without a problem. If I think I am going to have a shot longer than that, then I use my TC Encore 30-06 which is good out to 225 yards or so.

For a starter, I would pick any good 44 that you like with at least a 7 1/2 barrel, put a good variable scope on it and practice plenty of shooting with a shooting stick or solid rest. If you want to go to the best one right away, get the S&W 460XVR with 8 3/8 barrel with a good variable scope and you won't have to buy another hunting handgun for a long time!! Good luck and let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

Well, now, I hope you are all happy, you especially Lone Ranger.. it's all your fault
that's what I told my wife anyway.


I hauled off and bought me a Redhawk 44 Mag today. It will be in on Monday
this pic is just a teaser to keep me thinking of it...


Although I still feel that the 357 Mag is quite capable of taking a whitetailed deer, I didn't want to mess up my newer 686 and put a scope mount on it. The only other 357s I had were a Vaquero and a GP100


I can't wait for it to get here. Looking for a variable scope now..

what frame does the 460 use, X? or is that reserved only for the 500?

If you cant kill a deer with a 357 your doing it wrong.... One of those 500s weighs more than a rifle.... Kinda defeating the purpose of a handgun

The 357 has been killing large and dangerous game for many years. It's funny that some people think that somehow they can't hold up, even though the round is that much better.

Just one thing. Big bore revolvers are just about the most fun you can have with firearm, and bigger IS better.

I highly recommend the .460 xvr.

I have shot a lot of pigs with them. Only had one take a step after the shot. And it only took those "steps" because it was running when I hit it. Small pig too. And yes, I know, it really doesn't "count" (not B&C qualified and I should be ashamed) because it was shot in a 1400 acre high fenced pen.

Was still fun though. And you can see that the .460 is real good about starting the dressing process "in the field".

I will echo the "wear hearing protection", and if you value your fingers make sure they are nowhere close to the barrel/cylinder junction when shooting. It is FUN to shoot. I actually enjoy it more than full auto.


He strowed guts quite a ways as he rolled...