The difference in accuracy between a bolt action, and lever action is not what conventional wisdom would have you believe. The run-of-the-mill Marlin or Winchester lever action will shoot right with your average bolt-action. If you don't belive me: (I have three Marlin's that will out shoot the 2 Remington's I currently own, and most of the rest of my bolt actions as well. My Winchester m94 in .45colt, will shoot 1" three-shot groups @ 100yds with a Hornady 250gr XTP, WITH IRON SIGHTS !!!) -Check out the "consensus" over at
www.marlinowners.com.
What will determine what is best for YOU is what type of habitat will you be hunting in.
Where shots are usually less than 200yds (most everywhere, even out west), the lever in a "traditional" cartridge will serve you well, with only a modest investment.
Where shots will run "frequently" to the far side of 200yds, a longer range cartridge will be more desirable.
However, a good "HUNTER" will not find himself greatly handicapped by a "traditional" lever-action.
My brother got his first Antelope last week in Nevada. He'd been deer hunting most of his life, and had killed both deer and elk. He "hunted" his antelope, and got within 150yds for the shot, -DRT with his pre'-64 Winchester m70 featherweight in .308wcf.
He said he then wished he'd taken the Marlin .45/70 just to be able to say he'd got it with the old buffalo cartridge. However, he was "afraid" he "might" have to pass up his "only" shot if equiped with the "less flat" shooting .45.
Just my thoughts having BTDT, and owning both "flavors" of rifle/cartridges.