Wow how did I miss a handgun hunting question. Well yes it will work but try to keep your shots to under 75 yards and use heavy bullets like 180gr xtp and push them to about 1100+ fps and you will be fine. Yes there are better cartridges out there but it can be done and has been done many many many times with the 357mag. Good luck and have fun and by all means practice practice practice and practice some more.

Brian