Originally Posted by VABAM

If I didn’t have a 45-70 already I’d be leaning more towards to .44 Mag. Can do a lot with .357 out of a rifle and you can drop down to 38 special for low recoil plinking.

One of the reasons I’m leaning towards Marlin is due to the red dot mount MI has for their fore end. It puts a red dot very close to the bore so you can lower 1/3 co-witness the open sights and, but more importantly, not have a ridiculously cheekwell when using the red dot.