I would go with either the 44, or 30-30. For home defense you might get over penetration issues with the 30-30, but for general hunting it would be the best. If you hand load you could bring the cost down with either caliber. For optimum ballistics, the 44 should be loaded with slower burning powders for rifle use, since this caliber is meant to be used with a 6" barrel revolver.
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