Some have suggested 308 and 270. Not mine! My 270 Savage 110 and 308 Savage 99 both hurt me more than my 1903 Springfield with steel butt plate. Yes, weight and shape are why they hurt. I don't like to shoot either.

I suggest 30-30, you need a lever gun anyway. In bolt actions, I have 25-06, 6.5x55, and 243 that fit the OP's parameters.


Jason