.44 is a bit underrated as a Deer cartridge. I used to own a Ruger semi-auto(Deerslayer) in that caliber and it laid the smack down on Bucks ..it was like they ran into a brick wall. That would be a good gun as well but I think I heard that Ruger doesn't service them anymore and some of their rifles( not all) are prone to jamming. I never had a bit of a problem with mine.