re: Handgun Round for Deer Hunting

I have used a S & W Model 66 Combat .357 for deer and pigs.

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Heart/lung shots or does this round require head shots?

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I know he head shot the doe with the 1911.

Not sure of his plans with the wheelgun.

I have taken several deer with a .41 mag redhawk - several different loads/rounds. No deer has gone more than 50 yards...

shot 1 with a .357 - small doe - good shot she went about 100 yards..

I had a 454 casual but couldn't hit anything with full 300 gr loads but the medium power were almost twice 44 mag and recoil was very manageable. 44 mag with Corbon ammo or some sort of hunting load would be fine as long as you can hit what you are aiming at. Most important part and get it scoped.
45 long colt unless aftermarket hunting loads are useless deer loads in my opinion as I have shot hundreds of rounds with one of these they are just to weak to kill anything but Armadillos and coons, snakes and stuff at close range.

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45 long colt

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is loaded to all sorts of different velocities.
it's a man stopper. I have no doubts that with the right ammo, it would take down deer effectively at 50 yards.

Mako,
Prolly been 15 years or more since I killed a deer w/ a rifle. In the meantime,I've killed a bunch of deer w/ handguns, although they're not your usual handguns. Most of my handgun deer have been killed w/ Thompson Center Contenders. The calibers have ranged from 6mm (80 gr bullet at 2700 fps) to 375 JDJ (220 gr bullet at 2200 fps). All my Contenders have 12-14 inch barrels. I've also killed a number w/ a Savage Striker in 308 Win. All my hunting handguns have pistol scopes. Most of my kills are w/in 100 yds, but I've killed game as far away as 325 yds.

When I first started handgun hunting for deer, I was using a Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag w/ a 2X Leupold scope. Before killing anything w/ the RH, I got a Contender in 35 Rem. Haven't shot a revolver at deer since.

If you're looking at revolvers, I'd prob start w/ the 44 Mag and also condsider the 454 Casull, depeding on how you handle recoil and whether you handload. A heavy loaded 45 Long Colt would be ok, as well. The Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk are both VERY fine guns. If you've got the eyes for it, open sights are ok, but will limit your range (but that may also be ok depending on your hunting style). W/ scopes, a 2X PISTOL scope (Burris, Nikon, Weaver or Leupold) is fine w/ these rounds. If you want a little more versatility, consider the T/C Contender or Encore. A 44 Mag in a 10-14" barrel T/C is something special.

Lots of deer have been killed w/ 357 Mag, but if it were me using a handgun for deer hunting, I'd prefer something w/ a little more punch. If you use a 357 Mag, get the heaviest/fastest round that shoots well in your gun.

Remember that even the mighty 44 Mag handgun has MUCH less energy at the muzzle than does the "lowly" 30-30 carbine. Good shot placement is critical. Be prepared for a handgun shot deer to run a little further than your used to w/ your rifles as the handguns just don't have as much energy. Nevertheless, two 44 cal holes in a deer's chest can drain a deer dry pretty quick!

Enjoy your adventure!