For me anything greater than 2 1/2" or 3" at 25 yards would be unacceptable. I don't really see this as a hunting gun or a true personal protection gun, I would see it as a gun to carry when woods loafing, berry picking etc. when you really didn't expect to shoot anything but wanted to have a firearm for snakes, feral dogs, or in a worst case scenario people. Don't get my post wrong, the revolver loaded with 45 Colt ammo would do the job on a person, I just think there are better choices as an intended self defense handgun. I usually carry my Ruger single six as my woods gun if I am in a relatively "secure" area. In more questionable areas I carry my Glock 22. Before someone says you should carry a long gun if you expect trouble, in the areas where I carry the Glock, I am not expecting trouble but you never know. I just don't go into the areas where I expect trouble when I am in the woods for fun, I get enough of that when I am working so I don't want to deal with the head aches when I am recreating. I probably wouldn't buy the Taurus simply because I am satisfied with my Ruger and while the performance of the 410 on snakes would be better than 22 shotshells, they have worked fine for me on many occassions. If you get one, let us know how it works out for you, it is a neat revolver.