I'm partial to the lever actions too, and my first purchase was a Marlin 30-30 when I was 18 many years ago. I've had the pistol calibers covered since my youth, .22, .357, .45ACP, and .44 mag, and got the bug for another lever action (thanks to this board
) a few years ago so I picked up a Marlin .357 (not even close to the same quality as my 33 year old Marlin). Then, shortly after, out of the blue, a Henry Golden Boy (.22lr) jumped in my truck, and followed me home, and imo, it's quality is much better than the recent Marlin purchase. Granted, it's not a centerfire, but it's a very nice rifle imo. I'm not gonna run much through any of them, and certainly would even less at .44 mag retail prices (I don't reload). I know Higgins doesn't care for the Henry's, but he's in another league compared to most of us. I think you'd be pleased with a Henry for your stated purpose, but that's just my .357 worth
.