My wife and I are hunters that want to start hunting nearby in Suburban-ish MD. We have a cooperative wildlife management area that, as per newish Maryland law, allows straight walled rifle cartridges as well as shotguns. After a little research, it seems like a .357 lever action will provide good performance against deer at the ranges we expect (100 yards and under) and will have a minimum of recoil, plus will be fun to shoot with .38 special for practice and just having fun hitting targets. Ideally we would also like to mount a scope to help with more precise shot placement and since we are used to hunting with scopes in WV.

So. What lever actions chambered for .357 do you recommend? I live my old Marlin 39A for shooting .22 but I have heard Marlin has some quality control issues. Since it will be used for hunting we don't want a brass or other high polish receiver, but blue steel and walnut is a plus.

Lower price is as always better but if that will only buy crap we can deal.