I handload 280GR WFN useing 20.5GR h_110 in Starline brass with Federal large pistol primers. Out of my 6.5" barallel probably in the mid 1100fps neighborhood. Not as hot as it can get, but no point beating the smith to death.
I also shoot hornady factory 300gr loads, also mid 1100s. They shoot to the same point at 25yds.
Your sight in depends on sights. If you have open sights about 1" high @ 25yds will give you usable point of impact out to 60yds. If you scope it, site in 2" high at 50, and you can shoot to 100 without much compensation.
Both loads shoot 1-1.5" offhand at 25yds, and about 2" from the bench at 50 with open sights. The S&W is very accurate, triggers are best of any factory revolver under 1k.
for deer hollow points in the 240 - 300 are good. The lighter loads tend to do a little more damage to meat with close shots. hardcasts work awesome. I have taken a few deer and several wild boar with this load. Deer tend to run at the shot as if not hit but usually pile up 50-75yds away unless you hit hard bone. WFN hardcasts break everything in their path and I have never recovered a bullet, including a head on charge on a 150lb florida boar that entered just under the eye socket, passed through the front shoulder and left the body somewhere near the underbelly as I was shooting down at a slight angle. about 2; of penetration through skull and shoulder bone. Droped on the spot.
