From your list of cartridges if you only had to get one, I'd get the .44 Mag. It is, IMO, the most versatile of the bunch.
Since you plan on handloading I’d go with 45-70.
My 1895 45-70 with factory loads( trapdoor safe) recoils less that a 1894 with factory 240 grain hollow points.
Reloading 45-70 you can make some very mild loads.
I’ve loaded trailboss powder and a 405 grain bullet to 900 FPS, no recoil to speak of.
I can also load it up, with other powders, to make some real thumper loads.
A Winchester 94 in 30-30 seems to recoil less than the marlin in 44 mag.
I’d go 45-70, it’s a lot more flexible.
357 “harsh and snappy”. WTF?
A matter of context . If you're used to shooting standard .38spl in it with next to no recoil , a full power .357 is quite noticeable on the back end .
Depends on your priorities .
.44Mag - If your highest priority is hunting , with factory load ammunition . For light to medium loads , you need to handload .
.45Colt - Mainstream factory loads have you covered for light to medium . In sufficiently strong rifles ( think M92 clones, modern Henry , etc) capable of at least " Ruger Level " loads , handloads or boutique ammo will handle hunting nicely . ( In non- panic times , the Georgia Arms " Deer Stopper " .45 Colt is very reasonable $ compared to the Boutiques .)
.357/ .38 - Standard .38spl is very pleasant to shoot . For hunting the big issue is bullet performance @ 1700-1900 plus fps . Cast or JSP will penetrate like the dickens w/o expanding . Most JHP is designed for revolver velocities . The arbitrary Maryland 1200fps is a catch-22 , where lighter bullets more easily meet the requirement On Paper , but as a class 180gr will perform better . Yes , I have hunted with .357 levergun .
FWIW - Brian Pearce thinks .357 leverguns are just dandy for Mule Deer ..... With his 42K cup handloads , with 158 Gold Dot or XTP @ 2000-2100 fps .
.45-70 - It is what it is , with a cult of True Believers . If you want Really Big Bullets , .45-70 is your Huckleberry . To unlock the versatility , you need to handload . Specifically for deer , the mainstream 300gr JHP actually work well , and are fairly mild by .45-70 context .
Not mentioned - .41 Magum . My Late Shooting & Handloading Partner #1 was a .41 True Believer , and had .41 Marlin that I shot a fair bit , and it was Sweet .He worked up a 265 WFN @ 1100fps that gave good 100yd accuracy , and would completely penetrate anything that walked in North Carolina .
But it's a Niche within a Niche . Actual hunters and shooters would have to seriously battle Marlin Collectors to get one .
It wasn't on the list, but this is the possible winner. It definitely can have some velocity and knock-down power.375 Win is the answer, go from mild to wild if you reload, if not you can still shoot the 38-55 that is still available.
375 Win is the answer, go from mild to wild if you reload, if not you can still shoot the 38-55 that is still available.
Nice summation from bigfoot44, but didn't see any love for the 30-30. The 45-70 hurts my old shoulders anymore.
I wouldn't rule out the Henry Long Ranger models in .223 Rem/5.56, .243 Win, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor.
OP was looking straight wall.
One little missed detail
Starline still does a run a couple times a year, there is a another company, HSM I believe usually has it in stock, though probably not now. Also Midway stocks the Winchester Super X ammo from time to time. For plinking rounds you can use 38-55 brass that is usually available everywhere.That is............ IF you can find or afford the brass. Like hens teeth, very hard to come by.
Starline still does a run a couple times a year, there is a another company, HSM I believe usually has it in stock, though probably not now. Also Midway stocks the Winchester Super X ammo from time to time. For plinking rounds you can use 38-55 brass that is usually available everywhere.
357 “harsh and snappy”. WTF?
A matter of context . If you're used to shooting standard .38spl in it with next to no recoil , a full power .357 is quite noticeable on the back end .