I wouldnt hunt with anything less than 6 inch myself.
I have a Taurus 608 .357 with a 6 in barrel and Im pretty good at 50
and even 75 yards at the range, but I hunted with it 1 time and got bit.
I shot a button buck at 35 yds right thru the snout. Couldnt believe it.
Perfect conditions, perfect shot so I thought. I know it wasnt the
guns fault, but you add a little button buck fever in there and
a handgun just isnt nearly as accurate, for me anyhoo.
I still hunt with it but only when im hunting on the ground in
VERY thick stuff.
Good luck.