My first 44 mag came this fall. I have not used it on a deer yet but it has been developing a load and killing paper.
I also live in North West Hoosier land (Valpo). This past deer season I used a Thompson Center Encore handgun, 15 inch barrel calibered to 25-06. With a scope this is a good gun for 200 yds even with my skill level. I passed on a deer at 25 yds on a trot because I could not find it in my scope fast enough. That is main reason I bought my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag, I plan to use it with open sights.
My research has me practicing with 240 gr semi wad cutters and I plan to hunt with 240 grn hollow cavity jacketed. My point is find a practice round the same recoil as your hunting round and practice, practice, well you get the point. Prior to hunting be sure to have found a hunting round that shoots well in your gun and practice some more.
Where do you shoot? Do you go to a range?
With all this practice you may find that an order to Midsouthshooterssupply.com for press and reloader equipment may be cheaper in long run with a pay back of 1-2 years and a lifetime of enjoyment. Seriously consider this, I enjoy my time reloading as much a my time shooting but now I have better ammo and am proud of my accomplishments.
Good luck
Fred a/k/a HappyHunter