I usually shoot at least a deer or hog every year with a handgun and will probably do so this year too.
I generally recommend calibers over 40 with either a wide nose cast or softnosed cast, at heavier weights. They also kill well with mid magnum loads and powders without your ears ringing for two weeks.
The 357 and even the 38 Special at or beyond plus P will work fine for deer, provided the bullet is up to the task and correct shape. A handgun works with frontal area and these cartridges benefit from maximizing it a bit in solid or slightly expanding form.
Have you any experience shooting deer with 357 or 38 Special? Can you detail it with bullet, velocity, and result?
