BigBrass, I think the point of handgun hunting is to learn to get close enough to use a handgun. The issue isn't whether a .444 will kill a deer at 300 yards, the issue is how many you're willing to miss or maim before you bag one.
There is only about a 2.5 lb difference between an Encore rifle and pistol. I wouldn't take a chance (in my case a high probability) of gut-shooting a game animal to avoid carrying 2.5 lbs.
