50-70 government isn't legal for deer in Indiana. Case is too long.
http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf
This year's rig is this TC in .35 Remington (need to trim cases slightly to be legal length)
Next yr I hope to have a Ruger #1 rebarreled for .35 Rem and will convert the TC to .22 rf
I would suggest a used Marlin lever action .357. That way you can use it as a range gun, and shoot cheaper.38 rounds. Plus .357 is cheaper than .44 or anything larger. You can deer hunt with .357 revolver or rifle.
This year's rig is this TC in .35 Remington (need to trim cases slightly to be legal length)
Next yr I hope to have a Ruger #1 rebarreled for .35 Rem and will convert the TC to .22 rf
A couple of years ago I purchased a Savage 220 to be my rainy weather deer gun. I had been using 50 cal muzzleloaders for decades.
At this point, it is my primary firearms season weapon. Light, durable, incredibly accurate at 200 yards (which is about as far as I could ever see a deer where we hunt). And the 20 gauge sabot slugs like the Remington Accutip are extremely effective.
I have recommended this weapon to every single friend I hunt with. Wonderful deer gun.
Savage Arms
I use an H&R single shot 500 S&W. Fun gun, but really you cant go wrong with a good shotgun outfitted with a rifled slug barrel and optic.
Great recommendation! I have one and my 9 year old son has one. Both of ours prefer the Federal with the Barnes Expanders. Super accurate shotguns!
I would suggest a used Marlin lever action .357. That way you can use it as a range gun, and shoot cheaper.38 rounds. Plus .357 is cheaper than .44 or anything larger. You can deer hunt with .357 revolver or rifle.
Might need to extend the barrel slightly for legal length too. Doesn't quite look like 16".