Lever guns are great and handy. I own two Miroku Winchester 1892’s in 45 Colt. One is a rifle with a 24” barrel and the other a carbine with a 20” barrel. The carbine has become my favorite. I use Marbles peep tang sights on both and they have good accuracy to 100 yards. Since I reload, the 45 colt is a great round for short distance. I load most for revolver and rifle using 250gr lead, but also have a worked up load using jacketed 240 gr Sierra bullets that shoots really well and is a little hotter. The 92 action is very strong and can be loaded up if one chooses to do so.
For a bigger bang, I have a Miroku Winchester 1886 deluxe in 45-70. The 45-70 is super versatile and give another 100 yards or more of solid range. My current loads include 325 gr FTX and 300 gr SP jacketed rounds at about 2100 FPS that are a hammer. The 86 action is big and smooth and sounds like slamming a vault shut. The 24” octagon barrel and case hardened receiver make a beautiful rifle, but it is a bit heavy to carry around in the woods. I have it sighted in at 200 yards and would not hesitate to take a 200 yard shot. After about 250, it begins to fade and has a lot of drop. A 92 or 94 is way more friendly to pack around.
For plinking, the 92 in 45 Colt is the best IMO, but I do reload. That 92 action is smooth as silk and the Marbles sights really help accuracy. With the peep sight, I can hit a 3” steel target offhand at 100 yards every shot. 45 Colt is really easy to reload and there are lots of options to experiment with load development.
If I were to choose for hunting, short range to 150 yards, I would choose a 94 in 30-30. I have a 1959 model Winchester that is excellent. Beyond 100 yards I would be worried about taking game with a 45 Colt cartridge unless it was loaded up to near 44 magnum level. I don’t load that strong. YMMV