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.223/556 is going to fly very level, it has good penetration, is light and generally cheap. I will easily kill a human or a deer. The main drawback, such that there is one, is that the target might stagger around for a bit before bleeding out because the bullet went right through. Also if you're firing in a city it's very likely to go through a wall or a car and kill someone you weren't shooting at, but this will be true of all rifle rounds. The lower recoil also makes faster followup shots possible. There's a reason it's used by the military. In some places in the US it's illegal to hunt deer with .223, this may also be true in oz.

.30-06 is going to be overpowered for most uses, it's value is in the fact that anything hit by it is more likely to just flop over dead. Very useful if you're facing an angry moose or bear. It's going to be expensive and likely unpleasant to shoot. If you're firing at long ranges (500m+) you'll want the more powerful round because it'll still hit hard even after losing significant velocity. You'll never be firing at those ranges without a dedicated long range rifle.

.308 is the middle ground between the two.

All of these are very effective for self-defense.

While .308 might be the right move for self-defense on paper consider that there is a practicality to everything. It's probably easier to find .223 in stock. You'll be to affordably shoot more, making you more effective. You'll be able to carry more because it's lighter. Smaller rounds are more easily fired by women and children should the need arise. And in most combat the need to fire accurate followup shots outweighs stopping power.

I would go with the .308, that riffle is going to be really light and in .30-06 it would kill from both ends.

I have a Henry lever. 45-70 with the gold colored receiver.
They have some serious power and are a lot if fun to shoot. They also turn heads at the range which is fun. I have one with a side gate, that is a must have.
Ammo is expensive but shooting 40 rounds of 400 gr will leave your shoulder pretty sore.
I bought one with a little extra power so I can take it on any hunt except maybe pronghorn or sheep. Deer, bear, moose, elk, alligator, boar, works for all of it.

My rifle is pretty short and would be great for self defense.

A lever has a quick second shot which is one of its greatest benefits. It gives up accuracy to do this.
I like the magazine fed levers because they are faster than a bolt but more accurate than a tube fed (with flat nosed cartriages). I like the Henry Long Ranger because it has an accurate and fast second shot. You might care to take a look at that rifle.

Beautiful weapon, I love those old lever action designs.

I'd go .223/5.56, although the ammo is extremely overpriced right now it is still abundant (in the sense that you could pick it up off dead soldiers and use it should society degrade that badly). For home defense this also makes sense, the larger calibers have quite a bit more power and could be risky to use if you have loved ones living at home with you.

The soldier bit might sound crazy, but remember that most western militaries use 5.56 NATO in some capacity. I'd rather have something I'd be able to find ammo for in a post civilizational world.

Ps- i wouldn't worry about the weight on an ultralight. If anything, they will kick harder than a regular rifle. Regular weight isn't excessive on these.

I have the take-down version, .308 in stainless with synthetic stock. Never put optics on it. It is my favorite rifle and stays by the door for coyotes or evil humans.

https://files.catbox.moe/elgsfw.jpg

The little magazine only holds four rounds, I have a ammo carrier on the stock that holds 10 rounds. Three more rounds can be held on the sling.

Take-down version is very sturdy and quick to disassemble. Some obvious benefits to being able to cut the length of the rifle in half :) I have packs that can carry a full sized rifle but wanted the option of making it less obvious I have a rifle on me.

It is what I grabbed when I heard a gunshot next door at 3AM. Found out the next day my neighbor had to put his dog down.

Last time I went to the range, fired it once, bulls-eyed a target at 50 yards standing. Didn't shoot anymore, ammo is expensive. Rifle fits me very naturally though.

The bolt protruding out towards you when cycling the lever took a little getting used to but that is about it.

I have yet to shoot anything but targets with it, but if I do I am pretty sure that .308 is going to fuck some shit up.

Like I said it is my favorite rifle. Make sure you at least check out the take-down version!

edit: thanks to you OP I discovered someone made a 9 round magazine for this awesome rifle - I MUST get some now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNW9I6LSi6w

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