the rule has always been that you want over 1000 ft/pds of energy to cleanly kill a deer and the 44 mag barely has that at the muzzle and half that at 100 yds . i know people that have killed deer with one but on paper its not a good deer gun.the 41 cal is worse.if you need to use a pistol you might want to try the t/c with a high cal barrel.

Caldunc,

Propmahn hit the nail on head with every point. The .38 Spcl should be reserved for plinking. A 6" .357 mag, considered by most to the minimum, is pretty easy to shoot and can be a handy deer slayer. If you are even somewhat experienced with a handgun, 4" - 6" groups at 50yds, then you will have no problems. Again, for this skill level, maximum yardage probably shouldn't exceed 35-40yds and pick your shots carefully. Due to the fact the .357 is not the heaviest hitter to choose from, you will be relying on shot placement and the penetration from a quality bullet. Standard hollowpoints are designed to expand with respect to the speed and energy that the particular caliber can deliver. You do not want full & immediate expansion upon impact or you'll get no penetration and nothing more than a flesh wound. You will want something comparable to a Partition or a Barnes X @ 180gr. Both of these bullets are designed to expand at lower velocities yet retain an "un-deformed" base that delivers consistent and usually full penetration. With the understanding that higher energy and larger bullet caliber's do offer the shooter added luxury, good bullet construction and shot placement is the rule of thumb you need to follow, regardless of the caliber, even with the 454 & .480. I will not discredit the minimum 1000 ft. lb. rule as many, more experienced than myself, hold that to be their standard. With all do respect to those individuals, that rule was the rule before we had such a range of quality bullets to choose from. I am a firm believer that when shooting a handgun the biggest limitation is the shooter.

Toby

I killed my first Whitetail deer, a buck, with a Smith & Wesson .44 Mag. and maximum handloads using 180 grain hollowpoints. Hit with a double tap at 10-15 feet while crossing right to left, I saw his eyes bulge with the impact. He landed in a heap. I stepped over to where the bullets hit him and found blood in fine droplets sprayed onto the leaves of nearby trees. One round hit his shoulder blade and the other went into the leading edge of his rib cage. When I opened him up he looked like he'd swallowed a mini-frag grenade. The bullets had detonated on bone and all the surgeons in the Mayo clinic couldn't have helped him. That was the last time I hunted with that load and later found 240's do a more consistent and uniform job.

I'd rather not say much about your guns since deer season is over in most places. What ever you did is now done. I'll just comment that a handgun can be used to take deer, and where you hit them is more important than what you hit them with. I'm fond of bigger bullets both in bore and weight, only because I've seen the results. More speed is better than less until the handgun becomes so powerful you can't shoot it effectively. In effect, your skill becomes the limiting factor.

I wouldn't be shocked to learn you killed a big buck with your .357. It can be done, even with a first deer. I still have the rack to prove it.