You want a Marlin, no doubt about it. Something in 45/70 is fun as hell, but they also make good cowboy style guns in .44-40, .45 Colt, 30-30, .35 Rem., and .450 in the Guide guns. I have a guide gun in 45/70, and it is my favorite gun in my collection. There are great loads out there in 45/70 for deer, such as the winchester 300 grain hollowpoint, and Federal makes some great ammo too.