WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING? Whoops, must have had the CapsLock key on!
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE 30-30!
An unqualified " nothing" ? Don' t be so provincial! Maybe if your query never goes beyond southern (small) deer and heavy (short range) woods --- however, there is another world out there beyond that.
I WONDER WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE IF WE HAD BEEN BORN IN " GOOD OLD DAYS" WHEN THE CHOICES WERE A LOT FEWER?
Not much difference really. Even then, there were excellent choices available (and still available now).
Lets see, " turn" of the last century.....
1906 - 30-06
1911 - 416 Rigby
1912 - 375 Holland and Holland
Further back? okay....
7x57 Mauser
30-40 Krag
Further? okay....
45-70
45-120
50 Sharps
The use of whimpy shooting irons when better firearms were available has and will continue ad nauseum...... There is just something about ole grandpa' s " deer rifle" .
Sigh,
EKM