I'd also go with the 44mag over the 357 or 41. The 357 is marginal at best and the 41 lacks in factory and handloads compared to the 44. I started pistol hunting with a S&W 29 , but I got into the T/C's a few years back and now shoot a 15-inch Encore in .308 topped with a Nikon 1.5-5X.

My first Revolver was a Ruger BlackHawk in 45 Ca.

My Father Hand Loaded it like the 44 mag and it was load

but I never thought of deer hunting with it.

MayBe I will Go that rout.

Pistol hunting is like bow hunting. The closer the better. I have not tried to take anything other than varmits with a 357mag. My main handgun is one of personal choice it is a 41mag. It has taken alot of animals deer, elk and black bear. Would I use this on Brown bear or Cape buffalo no thank you. But the neither would a 44mag or 454 casull be good choices on those two. My best explanation of the choice of 41mag is manageable recoil and superb accuracy. While still getting the medium range power of a 44 mag. But it is harder to find ammunition than the 44mag. Which is better, not enough difference when loaded comparable. The 44mag will have more power in the heavier bullet weights. 41mag or 44mag both will do anything you need in the lower 48 states.

S&W 629 in 44 Mag. it can also take 44 Special making it a very versatile gun with many factory loads.

Just my 2 Cents

my brother used to shoot a 41 ruger blackhawk and it was awsome combonation of power and controllability, I am quite a bit bigger than he is, and use a 45 long colt it is more powerful than the 41 but for recoil senseative its to much for them, as are 44mag,454casull,ect..