Stang, the problems that arise with a .357 mag its a large weapon with, I beleive at most 6 shots. Granted that amount of ammo is 95% of the time enough, no one wants to get caught in a gun fight outta ammo.
Have you ever shot a .357 mag? Its a fucking cannon, a 6inch flame comes out the end and it bucks up about 6 inches IF you have a strong wrist. plugging more than one shot in the same hole takes a LOT of skill/strength/endurance. There are women on the force.
as for the deer thing
“The old 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .44-40, and .45 Colt cartridges will also do for shorter-range hunting with expanding bullets (as far as 50-75 yards, depending on the load and the size of the target).”
from http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_hunting.htm.
And I’ve personally hit a gallon jug from 25-30 yds with no formal handgun training.