I guess the bottom line here is, if your hunting where 500 yard shots or moreare possible then use a bolt action rifle. If you hunt where 50 yards out to say 300 yard shots are as far as you will need to shoot then go with a lever. I have taken deer at 200 yards with a 30-30 and saw an antelope taken with a .308 levergun at 300 yards. I'm an old phart also 62 to be exact and have used leverson grizzly bear to whitetail deer with great results but wouldn't even think of taking a shot over 300 yards with a lever. They are good rifles if they are used the way they were intended to be used. Not all of us require a rifle with 500 + yards capabilities but only 300 yard shots max.