RE: .357 in a lever gun?
when fired from a rifle, a 357 has more energy/velocity at 100 yards than it does at the muzzle when fired from a pistol
i would stay away from lead HPs, due to the increase in velocity b/c they may blow up on heavy bone, and use soft points or hard casts instead
double tap ammo's 180gr and 200gr cast bullets will shoot through a deer's shoulders, or lengthwise at 100 yards and leave a big hole. i would not hesitate to use these loads on elk or moose out to 100 yards. they would kill those critters as quickly as an arrow does at 40 yards if you hit the heart/lungs
inside of 150 yards, a 357 kills deer as well as a 30-30. it doesn't have quite the energy/velocity, but punches a bigger hole
A solid copper 125gr JHP at 30 yards, traveling at about 2100 fps on impact, will kill a deer as fast as a 7mag on a broadside shot behind the shoulder and will put down a home intruder as quickly as buckshot
38 specials can be loaded for plinking and small game
357 carbines are excellent home defense & truck games