RE: .357 mag lever action for deer?
My dad has a 1894 carbine in 357 mag topped with a 3-9 compact scope. It has proven an extremely reliable deer rifle with 158gr SP ammo. It is very accurate, no recoil, and quick follow up shots. We have taken deer from handshaking range to 125 yards with it and never failed to recover an animal. It is particularly good for cornfield or swamp hunting where ranges are usually closer. That litte rifle accounted for a lot of game over the last 30 years. When my son/daughter are older I plan on getting one for them to shoot.