I have several-a 4 3/4" USFA .44 Special, a 4 5/8" Ruger New Model .45, using the ACP cylinder, a Ruger NM Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum cut to 4 5/8" with the Bisley gripframe and hammer, a 4 5/8" Ruger Old Model .357 rechambered to .44 Special, a 4 5/8" Ruger Old Model flattop .357, a Cimmaron 4 3/4" Model P Jr in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum and a 4" New Model Ruger Bearcat.
Have carried a Ruger SA 45 LC 4 5/8" since the early 80's, it has been my companion on dozens of hunts all over this continent, fishing expeditions, camping, etc. I have also hunted with this SA and taken several deer with it over the years. Cast 255 SWC and really healthy dose of Unique is my normal load. Has never failed me and always done what was needed. IMO a comparable bl length 44 spl or mag would work just fine also.
And in afterthought, a 41 mag would work just fine too IMO.
My favorite holster gun or woods walking is a Uberti Flat Top Target with 4.75 " barrel, .45 Colt. The load is 255 gr. SWC and 9 grains of Unique -- accurate enough for head-shooting squirrels, powerful enough to shoot through any deer -- and I have done both with it, several times.
I went for about ten years without a single-action of any type, then earlier this year acquired my favorite SA of all time- the Ruger SBH. I don't see the longer barrel as a drawback at all when it comes to a woods gun, and now I just need to hit the leather store so I can make something decent to carry it in.
I haven't worked up a load for it yet, but it'll be in the range of a hot .44 Special. It shoots factory 180's (Remington-UMC) just great, but it hasn't taken to any handloads that I already had for other guns.
I learned how to shoot with my dad's Ruger BH .41 Magnum, so it just seems natural to carry this.