The .44 mag as a self defense only weapon is a bit of over kill,though you could shoot .44 spec with 300 gr semi wadcuters that would stop any intruder fast. As for a hunting handgun it is hard fast to beat. 265 gr jacketed soft points to 310 gr round nose lead are very effective on deer out to and including 125 yards or so. I say or so becuase it takes more than just a gun and bullet to hunt with a handgun and 100 yard shots are not a walk in the park so to speak. The 41 mag is considerably milder to most shooters to handle and will do the job you ask, but I am partial to the .44mag for hunting. Self defense rounds are best solid lead and the semi wadcutter leave a heck of a wound channel. no real need for a hollow points, you don't need expansion you want terminal shock and a solid hit for stopping power. Torso hits dead centered.

I'm a 41Mag fan for Hunting the 210Gr for CCW 175Gr HpSt
for Home Defense MagSafe Defender it packs 25 pieces of plated #2 shot, for in side-the House use.
The 41 Mag has less recoil then the 44Mag but will do the same JOB as the 44Mag down range.

I'll ask another question first. How experienced are you with handguns, especially magnum rounds? If you've never tried anything more than a .22 or a .38, you might want to work up to the .44 mag, that's a lot of bellow and bark when it goes off. Also, what do you want to hunt with it? I'd need to know these things before giving much of an answer. I am a .44 fan too, my 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk has a lot of miles on it but my house guns are a 12 ga. pump and a .44 special. Good shooting.

Another vote for .44 magnum. S&W 629 is a very good setup.

As a self-defense cartridge, the .44 Magnum is a very potent round but JHP/JSP bullets will penetrate your adversary and the wall(s) behind him. There goes the neighborhood! Should you make that your choice, use .44 Special ammunition for your defense rounds. I fully agree with the .41 Magnum as a choice for game. Again, too much of a good thing for personal defense (unless you reload your ammunition). Of the choices presented, the versatility of the .44 Magnum/.44 Special seems your best option; however, I wouldn't recommend the .44 Magnum unless you are an experienced handgunner.

sdboy,

That .40 makes a great self defense gun, but it won't cut it hunting.

i like the taurus tracker with the 2,1/2" ported barrel. Its heavy enough that the recoil isnt nasty and light enough to pack around all day without being in the way. I shoot winchester supreme 240 gr pthp. I figure that if the noise doesnt scare em to death the bullets will. The 41's every bit as good as the 44. I get max power in a compact lightweight package which is difficult to find in 44 mag.

well idk what you are hunting but as a good home defense weapon and versatile caliber i love my ruger sr40. It's of course chambered in 40 S&W. its an auto that while shooting a good sized round recoils very soft. I've run several hundred rounds through mine and not even a hiccup. I found mine for right arouund $400, in my opinion its a great gun for the money

Pighunter you do a disservice to taurus by bagging on their "past" quality issues. they are good workhorse firearms that may not have the spit and polish of SW and Ruger but they also cost 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a comparable firearm. As far as SW goes i still wont by from them because of their idiotic political cowtowing to the anti's a few years back. I wouldnt hunt with a 2,1/2" barrel either.i misunderstood i thought is was about an SD weapon.

I can only comment on the Taurus as of 5 years ago. When I retired I purchased an 85 38 Special for CC. After locking up twice and my gunsmith advising me that he had several in the shop for the same reason I unloaded it for a S&W. Being an Armorer for S&W I should have known better. I guess I am a slow learner because I now have a Judge poly defender just because it will shoot #4 shot which I can use for slithering things while spring turkey hunting and with the Buckshot load which is 4 copper plated buckshots in a load it makes a good load inside the house for intruders. Also I am the Municipal Judge and it is with me every time I hear a case. Guess what bad guy don't try anything stupid. I have spent a good bot of time on the range with it and it seems to be okay so far.