I read over on the Marlin owners forum, and you would be surprised what people shoot with a 30/30. I have talked to guys shooting moose and elk with their Marlin 30/30's. I, like most people, think of the 30/30 as a "brush caliber", true, but with the new Leverevolutions, 200 yard shots are not a problem either. I have a safe full of guns in various calibers and configurations, but I have gone back to shooting my 1983 Marlin 336T as my primary deer gun.

I would take your Gramps' old Marlin and fill the freezer. It will do the job.