I love the 30-30 too!

If I had to choose between my Marlin 30-30 and my Remington 870, I'd grab the Marlin first. It's just my go-to gun that I always grab. I have used the 870 with #00 Buck before, but there is just something magical about stalking the thick woods with a 30-30.
I got a small spike/3pt during Thanksgiving week with my 30-30 with open sights at 70-75 yards in the heavy woods and thickets. A 170gr Winchester Silvertip dropped the small buck like a ton of bricks! [8D]
Butch A.