Thanks for the reply's.
I didn't think I would need a heavy load to kill a whitetail at the closer range.
I can understand not loading heavy as to not beat up such a valuable gun as well.
I know many would keep it in the safe or only shoot at the range but firearms are made to use.
Yes, I believe in the
"firearms are made to use" philosophy (except for the 1st generation Colt SAA .45 that my Great Great Uncle carried). I have two 7 1/2" Ruger SBH .44 magnums, one that I carried for many years and shot one black bear with it, and I have shot hundreds of just under full power .44 magnum loads through them. My favorite .44 mag now is a 4" stainless S&W model 629 that is a pleasure to shoot with .44 Spl brass, 6.0 grains of Universal, and a 240 grain cast bullet, unless I'm bear country when I fill it with the same magnum loads that I shoot in my Rugers which is 23.7 grains of WW 296 behind a 250 grain cast gas checked bullet.
I often practice with all of these pistols and loads at 50 yards, and wouldn't hesitate to shoot any deer at that range with any of these pistols or loads.