I run primarily 30 lb copper. I run some 45 but mostly 30 lb. It’s pretty forgiving and closer to lead line. It goes deep enough to get it done in most cases. If not a snap weight or dive bomb can be added.
I agree, 30 lb is easier to manage than 45 and I've never tried 60 pound. The dive curves are really not significantly different. Weighted steel is much more manageable than even 30 pound. I've never been in a serious "wreck" with weighted steel so that aspect is yet to be experienced, but even that, I expect will be less catastrophic than with either leadcore or copper wire.
The South End provides useful resources and discussion forums for those that fish The South End of Lake Michigan for Salmon, Steelhead, Perch, and Bass as well as elsewhere in the Region and Chicago area.