.357 Maximum or .41 Magnum in a Contender for deer?

[Jacks Grampa]

It'll be a 10" barrel to comply with local regs. Thanks, James

 

[JSH]

.41 would be my choice.
And a max is not needed to kill deer with the Correct bullet, shot a half dozen or more with 357 magnum 4” and 6” wheel gun.
Understand your state could be on with case length and or caliber restrictions.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

Regs here are straight walled cartridge originally chambered for handgun so no 45-70 and such.

 

[SEBforUSA]

It'll be a 10" barrel to comply with local regs. Thanks, James

Your Personal Preference?
Switch out barrels on different hunts and use both

 

[servant403]

Im sure the 41 magnum would be great. But dont underestimate the .357 max in a contender. Recoil is negligible and killing power is up there. I only killed 4 or 5 deer with my Contender in 357 max. Couple it with a 180 grain JHP and deer you hit well is in the freezer. It was a huge mistake to sell it to fund another project. I Have killed a lot of deer with 44 mag Contender and revolvers. But they were just as dead with the .357 max. And its easier to shoot well IMO in the Contender. Never recovered a bullet. Dont remember the blood trails because out of the few I killed all either went right downor within 30 yards.

 

[20VarTarg]

I own all 3 calibers mentioned but only hunted with the Max and the 44 Mag. Both carbine length. But the 44 Mag is loaded with hard cast cowboy loads. Only going 1200 FPS and let me tell you. It does a number on whitetails. Can’t tell you how many have fallen to that load.

 

[243winxb]

Hodgdon data with 180 gr bullets, has velocity nearly the same.

For accuracy 357 maximum