I carried a 12” Encore with a scope for a bit, and found it cumbersome and awkward. Used a scabbard-type holster, probably a TC one. If doing it again, I’d probably go with a red dot. A week ago I had little trouble dinking some steel plates of various sizes at 100 yards with a .22 pistol and a FF3 from a rest and leaning against a post. Unless the better visibility through a scope is important for you, think about the RD. It certainly is smaller and lighter. Some kind of mono or bipod might be a good idea too for that big gun.
FWIW, the only deer I’ve killed with a handgun was a doe shot with a scoped 629. Spined, and of course DRT.
I do have a 620 .357 setup with a FF3 for hunting that might make it out in a couple of weeks for does. Have a couple in the freezer now, and the Smith carries even easier than a 6-7 pound rifle. Until I try it out farther, 50 yards is my limit for now.
Show us what you end up with.
