Many States, Wisconsin included base more then caliber when they decide if a handgun cartridge combined with a certain requirement of a revolver or pistol will be allowed to hunt with. For instance, I can hunt during the modern gun season with my .357 magnum and my .44 magnum, and have. Yet I too have a .44 caliber black powder revolver but it does not meet the minimum projectile requirements to be allowed to be used.

There are some out there that would make it under the limit I believe or come close to it. If the idea of a single shot does not bother you, Traditions makes a .50 caliber pistol called the Buckhunter Pro I believe it is called. It is a .50 caliber and able to take up to 70 grains of powder. I think that would get the job done if the range was close, say within 50-70 yards. I should not make that judgement because I am basing it on what distance I will shoot my handguns at. They are able to dispatch a deer at a further distance it is just that I will not shoot further.

Some other revolvers that you might want to look at are Reproductions of the Walker Colt. and the Colt Dragoon. These are a large heavy revolver and are able to take a much stronger load then say the Remington 1858 Army model. My Army revolver even with the top strap is still only rated to 30 grains of FFFg. 25 FFFg is its most accurate load.

There are of course the T/C Contender which I "think" offers a black powder barrel, I am not sure. Actually if you really want to try it, I would look into that Traditions Buckhunter pistol. It can be had with different length barrels, etc. I have looked at it a lot, but because it is not legal to hunt with, all I could do is small game hunt or target shoot it....

Good luck