If CCW isn't a concern, its hard to beat a .44 mag. MB has it right, .44 special for SD, mags for hunting. The .357 will work as well and both are a nice as a two gun rig with a carbine. Thats the only thing that would stop me from going with the .454 cassull and down loading to .45 Colt. I agree with Badger on his wish for Ruger to give us a good .44 mag semi carbine, but there are plenty of bolts and levers out there. IMHO, recoil isn't much worse than .357 and if hunting for deer and up is part of the game, why not?
FQ13