It depends. Don't you love that reply?
I was in the same exact boat as you. I'm trying to rebuild the inherited collection I sold off when I was young, stupid, and hungry.
I wanted a lever action rifle. I thought I wanted a .357, just like you, for the same reasons. A plinking or range-type gun makes you think of a .22... but I'll tell you. I have a gorgeous Browning BL-22 and I pretty much never shoot it. I rarely shoot .22 stuff, as I'm a hand loader and I very much enjoy longer ranges and more power.
So, I started looking around. I found a Rossi. Yep, I'm sure it would have worked, but the fit, finish and quality just didn't float my particular boat. The stock looked a lot like something I'd cut out of a nice quality 4X4. (don't flame me for that okay? we can do that in a different thread) I started to reconsider, and broadened my horizons.
At a local (large) gun show, I started looking at Winchester Model 94s. There's roughly a bazillion (that's a lot) of them out there. Parts are available, history is known and researchable, and in .30-30 (or .30 WCF, same thing), it's extremely easy to hand load for. It's a low pressure cartridge ... and yes it's more expensive than a pistol caliber and all that, and it does kick a bit more but hey, it's a center fire rifle. It's not exactly going to hurt your shoulder.
I would also never factor in the cost of dies, etc. Dies are cheap when you consider they last a lifetime.
Long story shorter, I kept looking around and happened on a totally un-molested 1942 Model 94 in .30 WCF and it's in beautiful condition. Not even drilled for a peep sight or scope or anything. Totally un-molested. Even the screw heads look as if no one has ever touched them. It cost me $500. It shoots great and it's a bit of history sitting in the safe.
All I'm saying is, don't settle for anything if it's not precisely what you want! I don't hunt either, although I have the firearms to hunt anything, and understand the people who do. I enjoy the hand loading and shooting my own loads, and the precision of nice firearms. The Rossi didn't turn me on a whole lot, and the Henrys seemed a little roughly finished to me. All of them will work though, so get what you want for the purpose you want it for.... and enjoy whatever you get.
I agree with pretty much everything handyman163 said, above.
That probably didn't help at all...