pharaoh,
I have a marlin chambered in .357 mag. I plink with it some, but I have never really considered it for deer. In Maryland it doesnt have the muzzle velocity that the state requires, I guess if I handloaded for it, maybe but I have too many other deer guns to worry with it. I won mine from a gun drawing, thats the only reason i have it. In fact i kinda wondered why they even manufactured the gun, I dont see a real purpose for it.