Need advice on revolver for deer hunting

[Dave in WV]

 A .357 will kill a deer but you want to use at least a 158gr bullet and full power loads. A dot type sight helps me with accuracy but is much quicker for me to get on target than a handgun scope. Practice at 50 yards with a full size color paper deer target so you'll know how far and how well you do before you hunt witha handgun.

[Jal5]

Thanks-will PM Tim when I get it.
Joe

[Cheesehead]

I went from a High Standard 22 to a S&W 29 in 44 Magnum. I never saw the need for a 357. I loaded many 44 rounds with a charge of 5 grains of Bullseye powder. Very mild recoil and a great practice and small game round. I became very proficient with this loading and eventually took deer with this revolver and hot hunting loads.
Also bought a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt and did the same thing. Mild target loads then hot hunting loads. Also a great deer round based on personal experience.

Cheese

[Ole Man Dan]

I agree with Graybeard about the .22 and most everything else (Deer wise, at least) I'm sure if I tried I could find things to disagree about. (Why bother, he's giving great advise)
I'm a retired LEO.  I started with a .22, then I shot .38/357 for many years as duty rounds. 
(.38 with 158gr will take a deer, so will .40 S&W, .45ACP ect...  These rounds in the right place will do the job.  In the wrong place they are inadequate.) 

For the past 20 yrs I've hunted with .44mag & .45 Colts, I don't load heavy/hot loads... I just kill deer and hogs with them.  (I also carry one of these year round, it's over-kill on snakes and coyotes, but great practice, and a major confidence builder)

[Jal5]

I was looking for the GP100 but today a friend at work has a S&W Model 66 target, 6in.  which I have seen and know is in great shape back on the market. The other person backed out on the deal. He was asking $400 and took my offer of $375. Good deal I think!

[NE Hunter]

congrats on the deal.  I know you'll have lots of fun with it.  now get busy practice, practice, practice

[45-70.gov]

i  carry  a 357 mag  every day every  where..and  have identical  22  to practice  cheap

when  i want to hunt  or can  plan shooying  something
the 629 smith 44mag 280grains wfn at about 1100fps  is  what  i carry
i do  have a 7.5  44blackhawk  if i  hunt in state  that have barrel restrictions

the 500 magnum  is  good  to train  with
i  shoot  it  a few  times    then the  44  seems  so  small  and tame

borrow  don't  buy  a  5oo  magnum
you  will  never think of  the 44 as a big gun ever  again

[petemi]

I usually carry my Ruger .357 SS 6.5 in. Blackhawk Hunting for anything, except during muzzleloader season. I carry it in a fairly high carry crossdraw holster which makes it comfortable, in spite of the weight.  Plus it puts it opposite my rifle on the other side so they're not banging together. I only killed one deer with it, and that was a 40 foot in the face shot with a 158 gr. JSP.  No, it didn't go anywhere.  I'm looking into a .357 Max Handi Rifle and revolver.  I think it might be better than the .44s.  Any comments?

Thanks,

Pete