Where the brush ends and the field begins, a .308 Winchester makes sense, and the Browning BLR Lightweight '81 puts that cartridge in a lever action. It has a 20 inch blued barrel, a four-round magazine and a listed weight of 6.5 pounds.

The '81 name refers to the model's classic profile. Under it sits the BLR's rack and pinion mechanism and multi-lug rotating bolt, designed to handle standard and magnum cartridges. A detachable box magazine makes loading simple and keeps the rifle's lines clean.

Walnut stock and forend are checkered for grip, and the receiver is aircraft-grade alloy to keep the weight down. At 6.5 pounds, it is easy to carry on a long hunt, and the 20 inch barrel is short enough for thick cover. The .308 is accurate, widely available and works for deer, hogs and a lot more.

If you are used to a bolt gun but like the idea of a lever's quick second shot, this is a nice bridge. The rifle ships to your local FFL dealer, and the background check happens when you pick it up.