I don't post here often, but this is something I actually know a little about. A few months ago I blew my tax return on a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag with an 18 1/2" barrel (it's great to be a bachelor). I picked it up as a companion carbine to my Blackhawk in the same caliber. It's probably the single most fun rifle I've ever fired. With .38 spcl 158 grain cast loads, which is what you would probably want to use on small game and targets, recoil isn't much more noticable than with a .22. The hottest loads I've put through it so far are Remington .357 mag 158 grain sjhp. These are a bit more expensive, but were a lot of fun to blow up rotting fruit with. Even with these full bore magnums, recoil is a trifle. Accuracy is decent with the factory iron sights, I was able to fairly consistently hit an orange at 100 yards with .38 spcl loads and I'm a pretty lousy shot. The reciever is tapped for a weaver style mount, and at the risk of ruining the looks of the gun I'm considering installing a low power scope or red dot. The only problem I've had so far is some feeding problems with SJHP ammo. This problem is working itself out the more I shoot it and I don't notice it much anymore. Since you're primarily interested in small game and targets, I would recommend the .357/.38 over anything larger. It's more economical to shoot and has virtually no recoil.