I like my RSRH 44mag it has a leuplod scope on it ,it shhots well and is very strong.

I love my Encore in 30-06. The nice thing about it is i can change barrels, stock and forearms and turn mine into a rifle, shotgun or muzzle loader on the same receiver. The 30-06 is a handfull if you are not used to shooting a handgun, and I would recommend a 243 or something with a lighter recoil. Find someone who has one and shoot it.

2 Ruger Blackhawks 45LC, 1 Ruger Redhawk SS 44mag Leopold 2x scope, 1 Lone Eagle 35 Rem Leopold 4x scope.

Killed my first handgun deer last season with the Lone Eagle. Piece of cake.

I use a 41 Mag Ruger Redhawk. Since I'm getting close to 50, I appreciate that it doesn't kick my hand off. It is a better caliber if you handload, since practice ammo (Semi WC) is getting harder to find. As far as hunting ammo, Corbon makes a good 250gr hard cast bullet, that, at least on paper, is as powerful as most standard 44 Mag 240 gr loads.

Thanks guys, will try a few handguns at the local range to see what I'm comfortable with. As some advised, may start off with a .22 this year, then move up and so forth.

22s are a great way to learn handgunning, but they are most likely not allowed for deer.

Shoot ,shoot ,shoot. Then after lots of advice and some more shooting, and perhaps the chance to shoot a few other "hand guns" .Make the decision as to the most cartrige you can shoot AND be realistic about how far you can shoot . I have a Ruger Security Six 357 with a 6 inch bbl. that I've killed a deer with .The 357 is an honest 50 yrd factory 75 yrd carfully hand loded tool . I have a RugerBlackhawk in 45 Coltswith a 71/2 in bbl.I very much look forward to hunting with it . I guess I've become just to picky about my hunting tools as at the range off hand or sitting 8 in. just isnt good enough at fifty for me 6 leaves me wondering was it me or the ammo . I have targets on the wall of 5 touching or torn between holes from the 25 yrd and a three inch at 50yds from both Rugers .
Both revolvers fit me well and I shoot them well . For hunting I prefer the single action if your tool of chose is to be for the home also a double is better .
One last note just because it has a short bbl. and a pistol grip does not make arifle cartrige a hunting handgun . If I hook-up the 12 ga from hell with an 870 a rifled bbl.and a pistol grip doesn't make it a hand gun .

The Encore's are really nice, but they can be a handfull. Some hunter's say an Encore is not a true pistol. And I do admit that I really like my revolvers. But there is no doubt that the Encore is extremely effective at long distances. Here is a picture of my new Encore-chambering is 358 Winchester(MGM barrel). And I shoot a cast RCBS 200 grain bullet. With the Muzzle Brake it is a *****cat. Tom.

Go with a contender and you can have different scoped barrels inselection of whatever caliber toy nrrd withno loss of zero. From hand,rifle,shotgun,to muzzleloaders.

I say take a look at the Ruger Super Redhawk. It is a strong 6 shot double action handgun. You can get it in several different calibers. Mine is in .480 Ruger.

I would also look at TC Encore's. If you like a single shot handcannon they are perfect.