I use a Ruger Blackhawk .357 mag and I've taken 6 whitetails.

Is there much difference in the Taurus and Smith/Wesson. And how much difference in recoil between a .357 and .44 mag. I have a .357 but consideringnew .44.

I hunt deer with pistols too. I shoot a T/C Contender in .357 Maximum. 10" bbl. open sights. I've killed 8 with it. The closest one was 5yds, the longest was 170yds. I have also shot 3 with a .44 mag. I love hunting with pistols, more of a challenge than a shotgun or muzzleloader.

I’ve taken one with a 357 and 3-4 with a 44 mag.
After my first hunt without muffs, I bought a pair of electronic ones and will not pistol hunt again without them.

Super Red Hawk IN.44 MAG.with 300 grn. XTP's is what I carried the last couple of years that I hunted during gun season. The 300 grn. is a bit over kill for deer but I alsohunted with it for bear.

44 mag taurus

Ruger SRH 44mag

Not much difference in my dad's Taurus and my Smith 629 Classic. I belive the Taurus is just a copy of the smith. I'm sure someone will say the Smith is a lot better handgun, but I don't see it really.
As far as recoil, that is tough because it is going to depend on the gun. For example, my 9 1/2" SRH with a scope has very little preceived recoil with target loads compaired to light .357 with a hot load. Even porting can effect the recoil.
All three of my 44's have different felt recoil with the same loads. My 629 has an 8 3/8" barrel, my SRH has the 9 1/2" barrel, and my Contender has a 14" barrel. The SRH is the heaviest and is the most comfortable to shoot. The Contender is next but the recoil is different. It seems to push straight back. The 629 seems to have a lot more muzzle rise, but then again, it is the lightest of the three.

Got my .44 Redhawk 20 yrs ago and killed a bunch of deer with it. Have not done any lately, but might start packing now that the kids are shooting.
Also, have a Ruger MK2 for squirrels! That is a lot of fun and great practice for getting out the big gun!! Cheaper practice too. Both topped with Leupold.
I would recommend a lot of practice before hunting at much of a distance.
Good luck.

TC Contender .44 Mag with hand loads only to be used for the Contender!