For a primary hunting weapon, I would go with the 6". Iffin' it's only for whitetails, I'd say you'd be better served with a .460. Iffin it for everyday, all around woods carry and you think it needs to be a .500, then the 4" is the way to go. But the 4" is not gonna shoot anything like the 8 3/8s you've shot in the past. Iffin you are new to revolvers you might be better served with a .44. The big X-Frames are expensive beasts to feed. They are really a reloaders handgun. Hard to get proficient with a handgun when ammo is $2-$3 a pop, unless you have deep pockets.....and iffin you're hunting deer with a handgun, you do need to be proficient.