Every hunter should own a 30-30 lever gun! Owning/shooting/harvasting game with one is like a right of passage. I have dads 32wspl pre-64 model 94 and my Marlin 30AS that have taken more game than any other rifles in my safe. The Marlin is my backup rifle at camp/in the truck just in case I find a spot where I know where my shots will be less than 200yds and not appreciable to a scoped rifle. It is lighter than my scoped bolt actions. In skilled hands it will take any legal game in the lower 48.
Do not discount the ability of the lever action carbine with iron sights. Ammo is cheap for them. Practice until you are skilled and confident with yours.
-Steve