The best prices on lever-action centerfires will be used 30-30's. The ammo for it will be cheaper than 308. For an even cheaper price on ammo, a lever-action 357 Magnum will fulfill that requirement nicely, plus, you already reload for it. The 357 rifles generally cost more, initially, than a 30-30. But if you shoot it much at all, the 357 Will end up saving you money. That being said, neither one is really a, "target rifle", if you mean that in the formal sense. And yet, all rifles are target rifles. I shoot quite a bit of paper targets. But those are substitute targets to practice for a real target, one that has hair and antlers to my way of thinking. Therefore, I don't even own a 223, even though it may be an excellent cartridge for varmints and other suitable targets. My preference doesn't mean that you shouldn't have one. I like lever-actions and bolt-actions, too. Different tools for slightly different jobs. Bolt actions are generally a lot more precise for longer shots and open up a whole new realm of capabilities when mated to a suitable scope. Many shooters will spend as much or more on the scope as they will on the rifle. I generally prefer Leupold scopes. On a lever-action I will not have a scope. I'm OK with open sights, but a nice aperture sight is definitely an advantage.