Looking to buy a Lever action gun, need advice.

[Nyles]

Actually, I gotta chime in on the Savage 99 - back in the day they were extremely popular up here in Canada (in fact the whole .303 Savage chambering was meant to capitalize on the popularity of the .303 British in Canada). They are excellent rifles, and the .300 Savage round, if not as cheap as .30-30s, is better. If you can find one in the States they're great - don't let the admittedly unsual looks throw you off.