First hunting handgun caliber recommendations

I know people can do a search and find the info by looking at all the posts concerning a first handgun, but why not make this easy for new shooters, and collect our recommendations in one spot? It would be an easy way to do "side by side" comparisons, and I myself would like to know more about some of the calibers you guys are using.

What is your recommended caliber to start handgun hunting big game with, and why? Maybe even give a "pros and cons" of the caliber you recommend.

My pick is the 45 Colt. (Not the cowboy action guns, but Rugers, Thompson Center's, and Colt revolvers. I'm talking about the guns that can handle the hopped up loads in the reloading manuals.) Even my wife, with weaker than normal wrists, can shoot the light loads accurately, but yet it can be loaded heavy enough to take elk. I haven't taken one yet, but its not from the lack of trying!!:-) I have full confidence in my 45 Colt, and won't hesitate at all if I get within 100 yards.

The thing I don't like about it is the availability of ammo here. There used to be a ton of it, but now its not being carried much. I reload, so its not much of an issue for me, but without reloading, someone just getting started around these parts might have a hard time getting ammo.

I'll be the first to admit that the large bores aren't needed for 99.9% of the things we hunt in the lower 48, but for some reason, I've always been drawn to them.

With that knowledge, the big N frame M27 S&W 357 magnum with a 6", or better yet, an 8 3/8" barrel, is just about as perfect as a beginner could ever ask for. Buy an old one and you get a really cool wooden box too!

In 1935 when the 357mag was introduced, all the old timers were just shaking there heads saying "Why on earth would anyone need something so God-awful powerful?!! (Probly had something to do with the fact that no-one wore earplugs back then

This is from Col. Wessons promotional hunting hunting trip into Wyoming and Canada...

Year: 1935

Hunter: Major Douglas Wesson

Game & Ranges:

Antelope - 200 yards, 2 shots.

Elk - 130 yards, 1 shot.

Moose - 100 yards, 1 shot.

Grizzly Bear - 135 yards, 1 shot.

Antelope was first hit at 125 yards. It ran & stopped and was shot the second time at 200 yards, The second shot killed it!

Bull Elk was killed with one shot! (through the lungs).

Moose was hit in the chest near the base of the neck, It cut the second rib and passed through both lungs, shearing the 8th rib on the off side and stopped just under the hide. No follow-up shot was needed!

Animals were taken on a Fall hunt, near Yellowstone Park, in Wyoming.
The Grizzly was taken in Canada at a later date.

All game was taken using factory loads, of the day, which were a 158 grain bullet at 1515 fps. from a 8 3/4 inch (not 8-3/8 inch) barreled Smith & Wesson Large frame revolver, that produced 812 ft. lbs of muzzle energy.

Those who criticized were told by the Major, they "had not the slightest conception of what we have accomplished in ballistics". A statement that still applies today!