I have a 16" Winchester in .357 mag. It is awesomely fun and really great with .38 specials. I reload my own rounds for it and use 180gr Hornady XTP's for hunting loads. Keep shots within 100yds and you'll do well.

You can use a .357 on SELECT shots within 50 yards or less. However,I really would reccomend a larger or faster cartridge as the .357 is underpowered. The 16 in barrels work good with almost any short range brush rifle because of the balance and handiness.

I own a 357 marlin I have killed whitetail deer with mine up to 100 yrds I like the rifle I use 357 star in 120 grain bullets heve had very positive results I have the 16 in barrel

I dont have a 357 lever rifle (yet) but i do have a marlin 1894 in 44 mag and my buddy has a winchester in 44 mag... IMHO i think the marlins a nicer rifle. I think the 44 mag would suit your purpose a little better than the 357. The 357 will work fine if thats what you choose. Its all a matter of personal preference. try both out and see what you like better if possable

A fun rifle to plink with if nothing else. I shot my pal's rossi 357 mag lever rifle and it was fun and fairly accurate. Now I know you can get upwards of 1800 fps out of it, but if you do want a lever rifle I would stick with a 30-30 chambering or something with a little better ballistics. I am shure it would do the trick, but seeing a deer at distances beyond 100 yards is very possible and I would hate to see anyone dissapointed for lack of firearm capability. So, if it is a second rifle and the first one is a 270 or something comparible, go ahead and get it. If this is a primary deer hunting rifle, think twice about the chambering. EJ

You might want to ask around some of your gunsmiths first. I have an older marlin 357 and it has the shallow rifling, which works great with jacketed bullets. Along came Cowboy shooting, and they wanted deeper rifling for cast bullets. You may want an older one for deer hunting. Then again my old one shot cast just fine.