When one brings up the idea of handgun hunting, I first think about something like this and going for whitetail...,
View attachment 915911
Well here in the People's Republic of Maяуlaиd, we are restricted in handgun and rifle hunting when it comes to large game. The places you can use either are limited. Further, a minimum 6" barrel, and a cartridge that delivers 700 ft.lbs. at the muzzle is required for handguns. So,... the Redhawk as above would work, no doubt.
BUT..., an interesting option in my state might be an AR "pistol" in 7.62x39mm for whitetail, using a 123 grain Privy Partisan brand soft point bullet. Configured as a handgun with a 10.5" barrel, this round still is at 2200+ fps muzzle velocity. It meets the criteria for rifle hunting ft.lbs. too as that criteria is 1200 ft.lbs. and the ammo out of that short barrel provides more than 1300 ft.lbs.
View attachment 915916
And launched from something like this but with a 5 round magazine, in my state. I wonder if the DNR officers would know the legal difference between this and an SBR or rifle?
View attachment 915917
LD