Need a little education form the forum. Looking to expand my handgun collection.

I need one for the target shooting that can handle the 200-300 yard steel.

Have to be able to mount optics is a must, moderate to low noise level. Able to varmint hunt and with a heavier load dispatch a deer.

My thoughts have been as follows

A TC contender in 222, 223, 6mm TCU, 357 max or a Ruger BlackHawk Hunter 44 mag.

.357 cal is top of the list as is .224 cal and 6mm as I have components for those calibers.

I can also still find 44 mag ammo in my area.

Thanks

None of these are what I would consider "moderate to low noise level". The 300 Whisper, subsonic, comes to mind but it will be a rainbow trajectory @ 300 yards. It can be loaded 300 Screamer as well, to flatten it out some. I love the Max, but much beyond 150 yards it also drops like a rock, as does the 44 mag. The 223 will reach out there but it is loud as hell from a short barrel and is marginal for deer. I'd take the 7TCU over the 6 if deer are going to be in the queue and better yet the 7-30 Waters, but again, neither are very quiet.

If a TC gun, put a suppressor on it and you will only have e sound of the bullet going down range and a rush of air. No Big Bang. Sounds more like a 22 LR.

My choice for what you discribe would be a 7 TCU in a 14" tube. Mine is very accurate the only thing I've shot in it has been cast Boolit mild recoil and low in muzzle blast compaird to a 223 and loaded with a 120 Nosler BT should be able to harves deer out to 150 and maybe 200 with shot placement you would have to do your home work on that though.
Flip

How about two barrels. One for deer and one quieter. Anything shooting relatively flat to three hundred yards and capable of taking deer is going to make a good bit of noise. Also are you wanting to hit steel at 2-300 or knock over steel targets.