Either will do what you want done. The 44 mag will be easier to find ammo but have a little more recoil. The 6in barrel shoot good enough to hunt with but the 8 3/8 will help with felt recoil. If its a nothing but hunting gun then id get the 44 Mag with 8 3/8 barrel but if your gonna take it on camping trips and all i would stick with the 6in barrel. I have a Taurus in 44 Mag with a 6in barrel and love the gun. Im wanting to get a scope of some sort and start hunting with it. It is extremely accurate at 25 yards with open sights.