InvisibleSkullGrabber,

Hunting season is coming up in short order. Beware of information overload. You need to pick a course of action and get started and stay with it in order to be "semi-ready" when your uncle picks you up to go hunting. If you are going to rely on the internet, then....

IMHO, Big Country gives good (and complete) advise on multiple points to get you to that point between now and then.

Okay --- exceptions --- if you don't like 270's then drop it down a notch, perhaps 243. For a first big game rifle I'd recommend the bolt action and have it fitted to you by a gunsmith. 90% of folks shoot their rifles right out of the box based on "one size fits all" --- you're a big boy --- I'm betting the 270 you handled was probably to short for you, thus the unpleasant experience. Lever actions also, in general, tend to be short stocked little things. The lever gun may give you that John Wayne fantasy, but if you look at hunting/firearms literature I think you'll see the bolt action rifle dominates the American Big Game scene --- there must be a reason.
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If you are looking for advice face to face, then perhaps your uncle is "volunteering" to be your hunting mentor but is waiting for you to ask for the help. If this is anywhere near true, then consider explaining your $400 limit and your aversion to recoil in choosing a rifle and "consult" with him as to what to get. No one is in a better position, to "read" what you need in order to be ready for hunting day. Hopefully he is willing and trustworthy.

EKM