I have taken several deer with .44 mag wheelguns, most under 75 yards. Popped a small 8 pt with .357 at 50 yards. Where I shot him (on purpose) damn near anything would have worked.
Yeah, cranked up in a Contender, the .357 will zap em.
I think inside of 50 a medium weight bullet from a wheelgun ought to work.
.223..............just slapped a reddot on my Super 14. Yeah, it looks goofy, even moreso when in fwd position. Back it looks better IMHO.
Will post a pic after I fetch pizza.