I have carried either a 41, 44, 454, or 500 magnum revolver while hunting and can say that any of those work fine.
41: I use the 41 for many applications and my comfort level is high, so this is usually the first thing I grab as a backup. I mostly use a 10" Contender or a 6" Smith 657. I have taken many deer and hogs with my 41's as a primary, and with XTPs or the cast projectiles I am pleased. I have taken creatures from 10 yards to 150 yards (scoped) with my 41's.
44: My 44's were bought to see if 44 beat 41, and overall I have not come across a situation where I needed the WOW of the 44 over my 41. I shoot both a 4" and 6" Smith and while the close deer have not escaped me, the premise of 44 over 41 has. Reloading options are much better in 44 over 41.
454: I found no need for a 454 due to costly shooting and heavier frame compared to 41 and 44.
500: I bought my 500's (2.75", 4", 8.375") for bear up north after my 44 didn't drop my "breakfast buddy". The short one was easy to carry but a beast to shoot. The 4" is nice to have, with moderate recoil to a large frame revolver shooter and plenty of thump at the other end. Bear, hogs, and elk were no problem up close. The 8" was a little end heavy for me but very smooth to shoot. For my applications outside the mountains, the 500 is a little much.
I carried my larger backups in a chest rig made for each. My 44's go into a leather holster at the hip, and have not caused me any grief.
Cost wise, a 44 is hard to beat, especially since I often see 629's in the $450-500 range in really good used condition.
