Shoot ,shoot ,shoot. Then after lots of advice and some more shooting, and perhaps the chance to shoot a few other "hand guns" .Make the decision as to the most cartrige you can shoot AND be realistic about how far you can shoot . I have a Ruger Security Six 357 with a 6 inch bbl. that I've killed a deer with .The 357 is an honest 50 yrd factory 75 yrd carfully hand loded tool . I have a RugerBlackhawk in 45 Coltswith a 71/2 in bbl.I very much look forward to hunting with it . I guess I've become just to picky about my hunting tools as at the range off hand or sitting 8 in. just isnt good enough at fifty for me 6 leaves me wondering was it me or the ammo . I have targets on the wall of 5 touching or torn between holes from the 25 yrd and a three inch at 50yds from both Rugers .
Both revolvers fit me well and I shoot them well . For hunting I prefer the single action if your tool of chose is to be for the home also a double is better .
One last note just because it has a short bbl. and a pistol grip does not make arifle cartrige a hunting handgun . If I hook-up the 12 ga from hell with an 870 a rifled bbl.and a pistol grip doesn't make it a hand gun .