I cant see how a max will out perform a 35rem if it has less powder capacity. It will be reasonably close enough.....but......more usually equals more. I have both. I chronographed a factory max and factory 35rem. I havnt chronographed my mgm 14" 357 max.

Anyway, the 460 would be an encore only cartridge and the 444 would be better in that gun also, although there have been 444's made/rechambered for contenders. you could do an encore 460 with a muzzle brake to tame some recoil. The encore makes a bigger heavier pistol and that is a minus to me personally.

Deer hunting ohio....id take a 357max EVERY time. Nice lighter package, plenty for deer, and i think it would do fine for me to 200 yrds, which is plenty range for me with a handgun.

IF you ever went to africa, you would assume enough money to buy another barrel or gun. Buy a gun that suits what you are actually going to do and do it well. Enjoy it!

There is always more more more, and it usually has a price.