Pistol caliber is the way to go for pure fun. Plus you can use it for Cowboy Action if you take the notion. Also .38 special is cheaper to reload than .44 (special or Magnum), or .45 Colt.
Come on out and watch a local match. There is one near you. Tomorrow is Conyers, Next weekend, Gainesville, first Saturday (2 weeks after Gainesville) is Riverbend Gun Club, then Toccoa.
Click on the link to start video. This was taken last week at Toccoa
Who would be the best manufacturer of .38/.357 lever guns? I would prefer a copy of a Winchester pattern rifle. Would prefer reliability over all other factors.