Both are very good calibers, however anything the 308 will do the 06 will do better. The only real advantage to the .308 is the short action. The 06 will shoot the medium weight bullets very well and will do a much better job on the heavy bullets. The 06 has the largest bullet weight range on the market and can be found in every little gun shop in the country. If I could only have one rifle it would be a 30-06, only in a Ruger 77 Mk II. As far as the lever action rifle goes, I don't know a whole lot about them, I like bolts and the #1.