i have a ruger rifle in 44 mag and a marlin lever gun in 41, i have killed deer with both, of the the two pistols you mentioned i'd go with the 44, primarily because i would prefer the longer barrel, other than that i'd bet that you or the deer would not notice much difference between the 2 cals. i also have a S&W pistol in 41, i just like some of the "oddball" calibers and guns, big fan of the 41