If you are looking for a rifle to use for deer I would not buy a .45 colt caliber. While a .45 colt round will kill a deer you may want to use the gun for other big game and there are a whole lot of calibers that are better suited and more versatile than a .45 colt. .300 savage, .308 Winchester, 30-06, .270 just to name a few . I own 2 .45 colt revolvers and I have nothing against the caliber, I like it but not for deer hunting. If you are determined to get a Henry, get a 45-70 which can be used for most big game. So far as an advantage to having a lever action perhaps it would be speed of a follow up shot is needed but a good man with a bolt action is pretty fast if they practice and there is also the slide action rifle.