SJFT wrote:Great suggestions and discussion so far. All I'd add is that throwing a thermal on any of the lever guns you've mentioned kind of takes the light, well balanced and handy bits that make them so useful and creates a top heavy gun that is a PITA to shoot.
I have an 1894 in 44mag I love. It'll empty itself into a palm sized target at 100m with either the ghost ring sights or the low profile red dot I have on it and I've added a forend that allows me to attach and remove a light easily. It is also great at punching through light scrub compared to my .223 or .308. Only downside is reloading is now virtually impossible thanks to the lack of powder available and the Leverrevolution ammo it likes can be hard to find. Some places will ask to see rego papers when buying handgun rounds.. so I'd carry them with you 'just in case'
Whatever you pick I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Good luck.
So far I'm still locked in on the .44 Mag, Looking at a Chiappa Takedown or a Henry at this point. But I'm still waiting for my licence (27 weeks later) So perhaps next year or the year after I can update that I finally have my licence again and am heading to the shop to pick one up.
The thermal on a .44 magnum was an idea borne out of over excitement I feel. I've since moved into a simple red dot will suffice and if I want thermal I'll throw it on a 308 or something.
At this point if I got my licence and PTA I'll be down to the shop and buy whatever .44 mag lever they can sell me, Rossi, Citadel, Chiappa, Henry I honestly don't care at this point, it's like an itch I've just been waiting to scratch.