Define "inexpensive" for your situation.
There are plenty of excellent/used Marlin 336's out there in .35 Remington for sale in the $300-$500 range.
While a Handi might cost less, he might be better off with a repeater.
FWIW, there's a cast-boolit friendly .30-30 boltgun for sale over on the leverguns forum, with loading dies & empty brass for $300:
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/vi...hp?f=2&t=68507
.