Hand gun for deer hunting

[TubaDr]

I'm considering getting a hand gun for hunting deer next year. What I'm looking fo is recommendations on cal., brands, and overall size. The reason for my looking into this is two fold. First it is time for me to get into a new weapon and second I always feel odd shoting a high power weapon at a deer when I'm inside of 50 yards. Thanks for any help.

Fogot to mention that I'm in MN.

[jentz]

First year I went with a handgun 1988, I used a 357 virginan dragoon,six shot cylinder,single action 8 inch barrel.Some thought I was well.... different?? Dropped a 6point with a doe at 50 or so yds. the doe ran right at me, and I took her at bout 5 yds running.

I was carrying a 30-30, with the intention if I got the handgun shot I'd take it.

[Archerysniper]

Lots of calibers too chose from, I shoot a ruger .480 in a ruger super redhawk wich I love got it for back up when archery hunting out west in bear and cat country. I have not decided in my next one yet still waiting for the funds but it will probably be another super redhawk, I like the .460 vrx but spendy to shoot and not really needed for whitetails here. If I where too look for a whitetail pistol for minnesota it would be one of the following a .44 mag a .45 long colt or a .41 mag, I have allway had my eye on that .45 long colt I don't know what it is about that caliber.

[RumRiverRat]

Get a Magnum Research BFR in .45-70 with a 10" barrel.

Do not need to hit the deer, they will be startled to death.

I killed a doe with mine several years ago.

It is a real blast to shoot.

[BobT]

I saw a .45-70 once. It looked like a hand-held cannon!

I'll stay with my .44 magnum revolver with 7-1/2" barrel.

[picksbigwagon]

I have been known to carry a 357, haven't had the opportunity yet, but a friend of mine has used his 10mm glock successfully at 30 yards. He now has a 44 mag and can't hit the side of a barn with it because it is too much gun for him, and the front sight keeps getting vibrated out of the gun......I have heard good things on the 41 mag and almost bought one a couple years ago. Hornady Leverrevolution ammo is amazing stuff. I can hit an 8" steel plate at 50 yards 5 out of 6 shots off hand

[RumRiverRat]

I saw a .45-70 once. It looked like a hand-held cannon!

I'll stay with my .44 magnum revolver with 7-1/2" barrel.

It is an impressive thing to hold in your hands.

I am a fan of large caliber pistols and revolvers.

The Desert Eagle .50AE is also a great deer gun.

[TubaDr]

I guess I should tell everyone that I'm not the biggest guy in the world. (5'6" 170#) So a cannon is really not what I need. I'm really looking for a good cal. not a whole lot of weight with not to much recoil. To me big recoil means more oppertunity to get flinchy and miss your target. I currently shoot a Remington 30.06 that is a sportized WWII training rifle with 185 grain rounds. Very heavy with not to bad of a kick, but carrying this thing around is not much fun. So am I wrong to think a 357 Mag is likely the way I should be going?