I have previously used a 44 mag lever action with iron sights and a scoped encore and took big deer with each of them. In both I used the Hornady 225gr FTX Leverevolution ammo. Both were within 50 yards and neither ran more that 30 yards after the shot. Recoil is minimal.
If I understand correctly, you are looking for a single shot rifle in .44 magnum, similar to the CVA Scout? H&R makes a Handi Rifle in .44 magnum, as does Rossi.
I use a single shot .44 magnum Handi Rifle. I've taken 2 deer with it during the 2 seasons I've had it. First deer was a doe that I blew out both lungs with one shot. The doe ran maybe 25-30 yards. This past season I got a nice 11 point buck. Shot him just front of the heart and busted a main artery. The buck ran a good 100 yards or so before he was out. The rifle is extremely accurate. I can hit a very solid grouping. Plus, it was only $220. I slapped a nice Vortex Viper on top of it, and it is a deer slayer.
Shot this 10 pointer last year on opening morning with my Henry Big Boy .44 with a Skinner peep at 40 yards. He only went a few feet after being shot thru the heart with a 240 XTP handload.
Ive taken a few deer with a .44 marlin lever action. I'd say the round does a fine job-no worries there. IMO Recoil ranks more than my heavy bolt action 308 rifle, but less than a 12g slug. Idk if that helps or not.
In my experience the 44mag is a heck of a hunting caliber especially out of a rifle. I've only taken one deer with my Puma 92 44mag rifle, but it got rolled over it's side at 60 yards like it just got hit by a truck. The recoil in that lever action is pretty sharp, but then again that rifle has a stainless steel butt plate on it. Last year I put a 44mag barrel on my encore and it's an absolute joy to shoot, but then again it's got a big fat limbsaver recoil pad on the pro hunter stock.
44 mag is a great caliber that can kill just about anything on earth. You can load anything from 180gr hollow points, to 320 hard cast. Recoil is all going to depend on pad on the stock. Between my two rifles, it's an amazing difference.
I used a Marlin 1894 Lever Action 44mag with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 scope a few years ago for deer hunting. Minimal recoil 240gr JSP. I picked up a Ruger 77/44 with a Leupold Rifleman 3-9X40 scope on it. I have shot 100 rounds of various 240gr ammo through the 77/44 and can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards. I plan to use the 77/44 for deer hunting this year. I am working on devoloping a nice deer load right now.
Handi-Rifle took my doe at 60 yards this year. First deer I took with it and wasn't intending to use it, it was just the closest legal rifle inside the door when I stepped out and saw the doe near the house.
If you hand load, you can make the .44 rem mag into anything you want. My son has taken two deer with his .44 that I hand loaded down to very minimal recoil loads. You can also load fire breathing, earth shaking loads that bring the earthworms out of the ground and cleanly kill anything on the continent. It is the perfect cartridge to begin hand loading with because it is so versatile, and a rifle length barrel turns it into a completely different animal.
Has anyone had any experience with the CVA scout? My wife has decided this is the year she is going with me during gun season. I have been using a H&R Handi rifle in 44 magnum for the last two years taking 3 deer. I looked over a CVA today and liked the way it broke open and the fact the rail and rings were already on it. Is it worth about $80 more than a new H&R? Any quality issues? I was looking for her a new gun, but she might get the old one.