This was my first year pistol hunting. I was in your predicament trying to choose a gun. I narrowed it down to the gp100's and the taurus tracker.In my area both were about same price. I ended up trying the taurus because of little things.You can leave the sights all in place with their mount for a scope. You already get nice rubber grips. All in satin stainless with 6'' ported barrel with vent rib. I shot two deer with it and was happy with it. I think the 357 works well if your responsible.I made a fifty 50 yard limit.But I'm used to it from bowhunting.If you want more reach you can go more caliber and if your in the right state you could use rifle calibers in a xp or contender type pistol.It's a wonderful problem;you gotta love this country.