.45 Colt in a "Cowboy" load is quiet. Sounds like a squib load, LOL, and has virtually no kick.
I'd buy the .44 Magnum personally ... but I like abuse. I will have to give one man point to Travis for suggesting the .45-70. Preferably in a case destroying load with a 400+ grain hard cast bullet.
I choose the .44 Mag. Same reasons as above. .44 Spl. works just fine in these lever guns, and it will shoot in the .44 Mag. pistols as well, for less recoil, and SD.
I voted 357 cause it's just that good! LOL! but for pigs the 44 would probably be a little better. but for deer a a 357 would work I think out to about 50 yards.