RE: question about hunting handgun
I too would suggest you forget the .357 Magnum. I have shot both deer and antelope with one, and it wasn't very impressive. The 44 Mag should work well; or the .45 Long Colt loaded in modern handgun like the Ruger Blackhawk. Some of these new super magnums look great on paper, but they have, for many shooters, fairly intimidating recoil.
I also had a little fling with the single shot pistols. Muzzle blast is impossible to take without ear protection. And after awhile, I starting thinking "why don't you just put a buttstock on it and be done with it?" That was the point at which I sold the Contender.