Close cover and tight shots are what the Protector Carbine was built for. Henry chambers it in .360 Buckhammer, a straight-wall cartridge, and gives it a 16.5-inch barrel and a walnut stock. Four rounds in the magazine fit most seasons that limit capacity.

A short carbine in a bean field blind or on a creek bottom stand is easy to swing. It also rides well on an ATV or in a truck cab. The caliber brings more thump than a .30-30 at close range, and the lever action gives you fast follow-up shots when the brush closes in.

Where laws restrict deer rifles to straight-wall cartridges, the Buckhammer is a modern answer that still feels like a traditional lever gun. It does need ammunition that may not be on every shelf, so check ahead of the season.

Walnut gives it a warm feel in the hand. Wipe the barrel after wet days and oil the action lightly. The carbine ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed before you take it home.