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Legionnaire wrote:A lot of good info in the replies above. I agree with Annoyed Man that the bolt-action rifle is the best all purpose platform. That said, I like levers and pumps, too. While there is some overlap now, generally speaking the levers work best with pistol cartridges and flat-nosed rifle cartridges like the .30-30 and .35 Remington. Pumps with box magazines more commonly handle bottleneck rifle cartridges (.243, .308, .270, .30-06) better. Yes, I know there are pumps that shoot pistol cartridges and levers that shoot bottleneck rifle cartridges ... just speaking in general terms.

And in those general terms, if I'm looking to launch pistol cartridges, I'd opt for the lever (like a Marlin 94 to go with a .357 revolver); if I wanted to hunt big game, I'd opt for the pump (Remington 760 Carbine in .308 would be my preference). Let your purpose inform your choice.

I expect that if we reach the point that semi-autos are banned, the big manufacturers will pick up production of pumps and levers--at least I'd hope so. I grew up in PA, where Remington 760s and 7600s are affectionately called "Amish machine guns."

All that said, if I could only own one rifle, it would be a bolt-action in an intermediate cartridge: .308 or .260 most likely.