Lever vs. 308 Mauser vs. 22lr what to get

[Kestryll]

Well, Christmas Bonus came in and I'm thinking of a rifle.
I think I'm down to either a .22lr fun gun, a lever action fun/sport gun or a 1916 Spanish Mauser in .308.

I don't own a .22 right now and everyone should have one just for fun and plinking so that's a real draw there.

I really like the lever action concept and they look fun as heck. A lever gun also should be good for varmit shooting at my in-laws ranch. Of course my Mini-14 Ranch does that as well but a lever gun in .357 to match my revolver....hmmm.

The last one to attract my gnat-like attention is the .308 Spanish Mausers that Samco is selling. A mauser action in easily available .308 caliber? What's not to like? Mount a scope and drop things from far away, not too bad.

Unfortunatly the bonus wont cover all three. Some has to go to bills so I have to pick one. I'm stumped. Price wise the .308 and then the .22 are the least expensive with the lever being the most expensive.
Any thoughts, suggestions or helpful info? Help me decide on my next rifle, probably the only one I'll get this year.
Thanks.

 

[Preacherman]

Why not combine two wishes, and get a lever-gun in .308? The Browning BLR is available new, and there are plenty of Savage 99's in this caliber out there for the asking. The Browning will be more expensive, but is a high-quality gun.

A few examples available right now:

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=14619661

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=5158790

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976403855.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976354666.htm

 

[Kestryll]

As nice as those are they are out of my price range.
I am looking at the $299 levers that Big5 has on sale as the high end of my price range.
Too many bills to pay to put more than that towards guns.

 

[BryanP]

Kestryll, you are a very very bad man. I've been contemplating hunting down an FR-8, but the .308 Spanish Mauser looks very sweet. More money disappears down the drain ...

"Honey, I have no idea where that came from. I think the previous owner of the house must have left it in the attic. Aren't I lucky? Really."

 

[makarov]

Why not look at a lever action .22? I would take a close look at the Marlins and Winchesters. I have been thinking of one myself. Might be a lot of fun... You can never own too many .22's. I think I have over 10 guns (rifles and pistols) chambered in .22.