Well, I usually try not be the annoying guy who suggests something totally different than what the OP asked for, but since you're still hemming and hawing 4 pages later, I will throw this in.
Did you consider a Politically Correct Assault Rifle, as touted by John Taffin? It is a lever action rifle. 30-30, 45/70, 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum. In addition to being suitable for big game, they're also great looking, easy-handling, and historic. Not that this matters yet, but they probably would be the last rifle to be targeted by the gun-grabbers in government.
Actually, now that I typed that, I realized it would be a good reason to buy the AR now and the lever-action later, hehehe.