Handgun hunting for whitetail: Help with bullet choice

[pls1911]

You could bump that load to 9 or 9.5 Unique and still be in the "Way Safe" mid range area according to the Lyman manual (#47).
You'd be surprised to see the difference it can make, particularly if your range is modest.
Shoulder/spine juction area will have 'em drop, DRT.
I've used that load in a TC and found it to still be comfortable.

[Anchorite]

I routinely run 10.0 grains of unique as my 240-260gr 44 load for anything in the lower 48.

[Rapier]

Unique is a powder that loads to target or magnum loads with the corresponding velocities with almost the same accuracy. The 41 and 44 are very close to the same performance with a 210- 240 grain cast. If I carry a larger handgun, it is usually a 44 BH or SBH.
I normally load the SWC for hunting with a revolver and never have had a worry about expansion, the bullet goes out the back side. I normally shoot deer behind the shoulder, low, for a heart shot. I get the least amount of wasted meat, in that fashion. For hogs it is center neck or the head between the eye and ear hole.