What is the lightest caliber that you would consider buying specifically for Whitetail hunting and why that caliber? I'm pretty sure that I don't need a .500 Linebaugh or .454 Casull but I also don't want to be under gunned either. I would like to find something that would be sufficient enough and still be able to hunt with it into my Seventies. Just for reference, I'm 58 now. I'm that guy that likes to be very familiar with my hunting tools and don't buy/sell/trade unless there is an actual need to. I've used the same bow and the same rifle for 20+ years and would like to use whatever handgun I buy for a long time also. That is, if one will fit both now and later.

357

Probably .357

If you go auto, 10mm is popular.

There's just something about revolvers that just seems right for hunting vs autos. I do carry an auto for protection though.






.357 has crossed my mind, I but wasn't sure if it's enough.

It just dawned on me that maybe I should have posted this thread in the guns and gear forum.

I’ve killed several with 10mm and .44mag.
357 would work if that’s what you have but would not be my first choice if buying something. 10mm is more pleasant to shoot.

357 or 41 mag

44 magnum worked for me, flawlessly.

41 mag

ive killed a lot of stuff with a colt trooper 357.

killed 8 with a 357 rifle .

44.....

357, 44 mag, 45 long colt

Here lies Lester Moore

4 slugs from a .44

No Les, No More

wellllll , you could get a 45 and do a barrel swap, 460 rowland or the 400cor-bon would work

I have no doubt the 357 would take care of business. But for me the 44 Magnum has always worked. But I also have a 460 on deck should the need arise.

The 460 is a cannon with pretty good range. If not the 460 I’d go with 44. Any of them would work fine if you kept shots close. It would be like bow hunting with a gun.

I wish the rest of the world hadn't given up on the 41 Mag. and you could still find them easily like the 357 and 44. That would be a great choice.

my first choice would be a 41mag, I used one for many years. I feel the 357 is too light, I shot a nice 8 point at 25 yards, hit right behind shoulder. Never found him. 44mag would be a good choice, probably a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 6 inches bbl.