If you can deal with only having one shot, the Henry Single Shot is handy at 37.5" and under 7lbs, has a 1-20" twist 22" barrel, and will "feed" anything that will fit in the chamber. Under $400. Might be hard to find a blued one, most appear to be the brassy Pimp Special model.
To scope it you need the base and a hammer spur extension, both available from Henry. A lighter trigger spring may also be in order. I know a guy (me) who'll sell you one at cost.
My .44 is a Browning Low Wall; 24" 1-20 twist barrel, tang and barrel sights. Haven't had it d&t for a scope yet, and now the Henry can be purchased for about the cost of the mounts and labor without futzing up the collector value, so likely won't. Hasn't gone afield yet, but doe season is coming up.
Pretty late to be thinking about a new rifle; not that I haven't done the same.
