I've hunted with Marlin levers old and new, ~95% without issues. The other 5% were jams. Hard to clear when the deer is in need of a 'finisher'. A couple times it was a .32-40 loaner; a cartridge much better for hunting paper than for deer.I prefer the Marlin Levermatic "pattern" myself.
I'm a big fan of bolt action also. I have more of them than anything.