how about a .454 casull?
You can load light loads in 45lc and it is a hoot to shoot.

i have the Toklat version, with the 5" barrel, and they also make one with a 7" barrel.

I have it loaded with 360gr hard cast around 1400fps.... and those are not fun to shoot at all...

there are alot of .452 bullets out there for deer and black bear hunting.

I have loaded 240 grain hornady xtp, and have shot it at 200 yards, open sights....

either version of the super redhawk will have scope mounts, and with the 240-250 gr bullets would make a great deer or black bear cartridge with a scope on it....

Another thumbs up for the 454. On a soft and friendly day I load it down to 45LC levels. But if a rouge semi truck needs stopping, A full house load of H110 with a 300 grain plug will do that to. Mine is a model 83 Freedom Arms in 5 1/2 "

I agree with the 44 or 41 mags.

My vote would be for the 44 mag. Got a Ruger redhawk and love it. Wide range of loads and will kill anything you need to

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. Guess I’ll do a little shopping now.

41 mag or 45 LC in a 6 inch Smith or a snake gun would get my vote.

I don’t know anything about the .480 Ruger cartridge, it may be a good one to consider.

My secretary’s husband is all of 5’4” and very thin - he used to be a bull rider in the PBR. (I never could understand why she married the bum.). Anyway, he bought a S&W in .500 caliber for deer hunting. He sort of sighted it in for hunting. He hunted with it for one year and sold it. Never got a deer with it. He was too afraid to shoot it, and just didn’t want to shoot it.

Did you select your gun yet?

I have been using a Ruger Super RedHawk 44 Mag. with a 2x scope for about 20 years. It is very accurate with handloaded 300 gr. Hornady XTP I have it sighted in at 100 yards. It works great on deer. And my brother used his on bear. I always use some type of rest while hunting.

No love for S+W 629 here? Lots of Ruger fans.

I mentioned the 629.The older ones are better.

Opinions on the Taurus? Good or bad? Compared to Ruger or S&W.

Taurus is ok they are generally a s&w clone

quality control has been lacking at times and if your gun isn't right you send it to the US address that sends it to brazil and it can take months to get your gun back. they do have a lifetime warranty but it takes time.

Ruger has great customer service it is in the US and if sent in they generally have it back in shipping withing a week to two weeks.

Rugers are also built like tanks , there is a reason most loading manuals have ruger only loads listed , because the smiths and taurus can't take them safely.

I’ll add Taurus to the “No interest” list. Thanks

I agree with all that.The "Ruger Only" pertains to the .45 Colt cartridge.Rugers are built like tanks.S+W's usually have better triggers,out of the box but with a little work,Rugers can be improved.

Taurus is not even anywhere close to Ruger in design or manufacturing quality. They are quite pathetic in comparison.

Ruger guns retain their value very well in case you are concerned about future resale or trade value.

Taurus look like a Smith on the outside but inside are far inferior. They cannot be given a good trigger job like a Smith.

Ruger Bisley,5 1/2"

Ruger Redhawk,4"

S+W 629 Mountain Gun,4"

These are some I have used over the years. Regretfully I have sold the Anaconda. I have, however, taken several deer with the Ruger Super Redhawk and have been happy with the way it shoots. All are .44 mags.

I like those scopes MnMan.

454 Casull. You can load it up or down to .45 Colt level.