IndyHunter83

I gotta go with the 44 mag on this one. I've deer hunted with the 357mag, 454 casual, 44 mag, and 500 SW in both pistol and rifle forms and all will kill deer just as well as the IF USED PROPERLY. I think people often forget that 100 yards is often max range for a scoped rifle using the majority of these cartridges (excluding the 500 from this comment). For out to around 75 yards I would say the 44 mag is going to be one to get precisely because you can buy the 44 special ammo for fairly cheap to practice with and "plink" and then as hunting season roles around you can switch to the 44 mag or stay with 44 special because in most states it is a legal cartridge for deer. Honestly though, if money weren't an issue I would go with 500 SW because its just an honest to goodness beast of a round. Thats just my opinion though.

caplock

I've killed three deer with my .357, none went more than a couple of steps and one dropped in her tracks. shot distance was 20, 35, 95 yards all died quickly. Never really thought 357 too light for deer. Guess shoot them in vitals, you can only kill them so dead.

jdhogg

44 mag and good luck

RugerM77.270

Look at a Ruger Super BlackHawk in 44 mag. They are great fun for rectration handy off the hip and really accurate. I got this one last spring for deer and hogs this year 240gr. XTP's at 1350 fps spells death out to 75 yards easy.

Game Stalker

Sweet pistol you have there.I like Ruger myself.Need to experience that caliber again.

IndyHunter83

Of the choices that you gave I would still go with the 44 mag. If you want to plink and practice you can go down to a 44 sp bullet but the 44 will give you superior knockdown power to that of the 357.

Dan480Man

Any one of those calibers would do fine. Go with best $$ deal, and consider ammo availability. .41's are excellent, but can be hard to find. .44 bullets are everywhere, but can be pricey in some stores. .357 cartridges are even more common (although NEVER consider the light defense HP ammo for deer), and usually a bit cheaper than .44's.
My local gun store, .357's averaged 7-8$ cheaper per box than .44's in the same brand. That can definately add up. All are winners.

Oh, I often carry a 83/8" SW 629. It really ain't bad at all if you find a good deal on one.

coach1299

I've used .357 mag, w/6" barrel on boar weighing up to 250 with no problems. I'd rather not increase the recoil or the noise with anything larger. I've already had my bell rang hunting with a .357. Fortunately all was okay with my hearing after about a week. The ear doc said I was lucky not to have a permanent hearing damage. Never had a problem with the report from long arms, but pistol hunting was harder on the ears than expected. Now I bring along ear protection when pistol hunting and slip them on just prior to pulling the trigger. I know that can result in blowing a shot, but now it's a priority for me to protect my hearing before taking game. The following year I took another hog with the ear protectors, and fortunately I was able to get them on just before taking the shot without spooking the animal or changing the situation.

Vapodog

Purely one guys opinion.....the .357 is a woefully inadequate deer cartridge from a revolver.....and some folks actually kill deer with it!

Very few guys can actually handle a .44 magnum...they have them but can't shoot them.....mostly ego trip!!!....a lot of talk!!!

The .41 Mag is powerful enough and is also tough to shoot....but a lot easier than a .44 mag....

I strongly recommend the .41 Magnum.....

caplock

I must be really lucky with my "woefully inadequate" .357 seeing as the only three shots ever taken at deer were one shot kills, all three bullets passed through the deer. I guess I must need a more powerful gun. How far does a 158 jhp bullet have to go once it exits a deer before my gun is powerful enough. Guess I jut wait for broadside shot and aim for lungs, just like bowhunting.