If recoil and accuracy was an issue to a shooter in full power magnum loads, which caliber would be a better option for deer/antelope?

45 colt 250gr at 1K FPS
44 mag 240gr at 1K FPS
41 mag
357 mag
10mm

If my numbers are correct, in 45 colt the 300gr XTP looks better at 100 yards then the 240gr. Would 1k FPS with 300gr XTP's in 45 colt be sufficient. With 1k at the muzzle the calculator says it would be 905 at 100 yds with 545 FT LBs. Both 240 and 300gr bullets show a 9" drop at 100 with a 50yd zero.

If you are comparing a full power 41 mag to a 44 or 45 at 1000 fps I would go with the 41 mag at full power.

Some hot 357 mag loads have about as much energy as a 44 mag at 1000 fps and will shoot flatter.

I have killed several whitetails with my 44 mag shooting Winchester white box at 1180 fps from 8 yards to 75 yards.

Generally speaking, if pushing a similar weight bullet from different caliber guns of similar case length to the same velocity, the larger bore will operate at a lower pressure and therefore generate less felt recoil. The differences can be minimal depending on bullet weight, but it is one of the reasons I prefer the 45 Colt over the 44 Mag. That, and bigger is better ;-)

I have never shot a 41, and the only 357 i have shot was a lightweight snubby. So i am not sure how they compare recoil wise to 44 and 45.

357's in a light snub nose revolver are not fun. My 41 is pretty gentle. I'm a fan of it. It's really all a person needs for deer.

Just a thought, but if magnum loads are a little too obnoxious, try using a shooting glove and double hearing protection. (plugs AND muffs) makes practice a lot more fun.

Ive got good electronic muffs, the sound doesnt bother me, its more the big old 2x4 grip, which is also part of the accuracy problem.

I went out today and shot 50 rds of 45 colt, 250gr at +/- 900 FPS and i can ring a six inch steel plate at 75yds pretty consistently, at 100yds its about 7 out of 10. But 1100 FPS is a whole different story.

Have you considered a hard cast or similar WFN bullet with a wide meplat? Those bullet types don't require expansion to do their work and are quite effective at slower speeds. I would be concerned about expansion of a 300 grain XTP at <900 fps velocity. A better option may be the 250 XTP so you could get a bit more speed for expansion without punishing recoil. The 250 XTP is all I use in the 45 Colt for MN deer.

I shoot mostly 250gr lead, i was just using the XTP's for comparison for the published BC for the ballistic calculator.

This is good advice.

You don't say what guns you were shooting that had big old 2x4 grips. Grips can be changed .Depending on your hand size Pachmayr [smaller]and Hogue [larger] make rubber grips for most guns.My Blackhawks wear Pachmayrs And Hogues and they help a lot with the recoil. I like the Pachmayr best as they fit me better. You could also look into a muzzle break on one which helps too.If possiable get a .22 in the same style as the revolver you want to hunt with and do a lot of your practice with it.Limit your range sessions with the big bores if they hurt you as it can lead to bad habits that are hard to break.Shoot 5 or 10 shots with the big bores then switch to something smaller.

I have the Ruger bisley SBH 454. I have been trying to find new grips but nobody makes bisley grips it seems like.

I'll admit I don't like a great deal of recoil ...and I'm new to reloading. Much that I've read has indicated that a 240 Keith HCSWC at 1000-1100 is a game getter. So ... That's where I've started in developing a load for my .44. I've also loaded some 240 XTP at 1000 that shoot like lasers for me.

My shots on game are limited to 75 yards max.

eBay has plenty of Bisley grips.

A good fitting set of custom grips is unbeatable. You will not find anything on Ebay or any pre-made stuff. You can PM me for a few suggestions, on getting this done.

On your loads,, you say you like to use the 250 grain cast, what powder are you using? And how much? Because 10 grains of Unique is doable with a 250 gr. and If you use a 260-265 grain with 8.5 grains of W231 I think you will be happy with the loads and they should be accurate.