I'd try a Ruger single action with a 4 & 5/8 inch barrel unless you are looking to shoot out quite a ways. Nice balance. The 41 would be a better piece for hunting than a factory loaded 45 Colt, but a handloaded 45 Colt is an awesome beast. All these calibers will bark & jump; they take some getting used to. However, if it is an emergency and you have to shoot fast & up close, precision may not be required.

Also, I have found that the grip on, eg, the Ruger Blackhawk absorbs some recoil. And just in case noone ever preached this... use hearing protection. The 357 magnum is less powerful than the 41 but don't underestimate it. It was used for hunting a long time before the 44 maggie came out.

I could not recommend any smaller calibers for critters that size. They may eventually succumb, but the question is how long and in what county.