Strikes me that overpenetration is going to be the big issue. If you're in a regular suburban neighborhood the tumbling 223 might be a better solution. If you have room, the 30-30 in a lever might be just great.
I understand the apprehension about looking "too tacticool" in a self-defense situation - perhaps a mini-14 or the like might work.
A Henry Big Boy carbine in .327 Magnum wouldn't suck though if you must have a lever.
So many choices, so little time...