While katad isn't wrong - I've said as much and got toasted for it - what's missing is a lever in the gunrack to honestly know where to comment from.
I moved from a real soldier's rifle, the HK91, to a Rem 700, to a '64 Win 94, and each time found better utility and more versatile use by the downsizing in weight and caliber. Sure, if I ever go after antelope or elk, I'd take the bolt gun in .30-06 for it's range, but for general all around game hunting, the lever is a great answer to getting a shot off in our gnarly terrain in SW MO.
Still, I do prefer semi autos - not that hunting really offers the opportunity for a follow up shot when you do the first right. But that is never a guarantee, as any bolt gunner who loads up all four or five rounds admits each day he hunts. Watching them practice at working the action to smoothly reload for a followup shot, which every bolt and lever gunner does almost religiously, makes my point - a reliable semi auto will do a better, faster job and leave you on target in the process.
I don't feel incredibly shortchanged hunting the lever right now, but just understand where the difference is. 22 years of Reserves have left me with a real appreciation of the self loading rifle's advantages, but I'll not likely sell off the lever like I did the overweight battle rifle, and potentially, the bolt gun. They aren't as much fun.