I have a tang safety Win94 trapper 357 that shoots 1.5" groups with iron sights and 3 different handloads at 50 yards. With better sights and load tweeking I think that I can obtain my goal of 2" groups or less at 100 yards. The 357 should be good on deer to around 100 yards.

But it is a 357 not a 44...

I bought it to start young kids, but I personally really like it and I would like a 44 just like it or another brand.