The .44 Magnum would probably be the best choice based on price (for gun and ammo), availbilty of ammo, and balistics. I purchased a Marlin 1894 in .357 last year prior to the rule change. I took it out a couple of times this year when I hunted an area that I thought it would be better choice than my scoped muzzleloder - but I never got the oppurtunity to use it on a deer.