Under 50 Yards

Colt Python with Red Dot .357 magnum
Colt Anaconda with Red Dot, .44 Magnum
10mm Semi Auto with red dot

Gun will be shot other than just deer hunting.

This one is fun to hunt with. Posting from my tree stand in eastern Oklahoma. It is .50 caliber.

Any of these should work fine . I killed deer with the calibers you’ve mentioned with good results . Whatever handgun you shoot the best is your best choice .

My T/C Contender in 357 Maximum, Super Mag as some call it. Has taken several deer and a few hogs.

Any of the 3 will do the job. Personally, 357 is my choice.

Anaconda. They sure shoot nice and .44 mag puts it to 'em.
Under 50 yds I'd be open sights, just because we don't have a Red Dot.
It will put a bullet where you aim at 100 yds too.

Use the one you can shoot the best. Accuracy beats power.
If equal go for the 44

having done a lot of handgun hunting you don't really need to run things hot..
a 44 mag with hardcast at moderate velocites will easily take down deer..

I have been using a suppressed 1911 with 220g Hornady Critical Duty ammo, deer at 30 yards don't stand a chance.

The answer is always 44. If a 357 is all you've got or you can't stand a heavier gun pulling on your back maybe a plastic 10mm. Otherwise, 44 is always the answer.

You want an expanding bullet for deer to get a bigger exit wound for bloodtrails. About any 240gr works. You can carry a 4" strongside or up to 6" crossdraw comfortably, getting in and out of vehicles, etc. Anything bigger and I'd rather tote a carbine.