I’ve got some experience shooting game with a handgun. I’m yet to kill a deer with one for whatever reason but I have killed pigs, turkey, coyotes, and bear with a couple different calibers. My findings suggest that the 44 Magnum lets the air out of them faster and with less drama than the 35 calibers. I have not used the 357 max but have experience with the 9mm, 38 special, and 357 mag.
I don’t use jacketed bullets, nor do I use extremely heavy weights or really high velocities. A cast bullet with a flat nose at between 1000 and 1200 feet per second has worked fine for me.
I plan to remedy the deer with a handgun situation this winter during our antlerless season. Probably use standard pressure 44 Special loads out of my 6.5” S&W. My motto is to get really close where it’s easier to make a perfect shot. Good luck
