I like the 30-30 marlin, I have hunted with a 30-30winchester that belong to my brother while he was away in the service and took my first deer with it. I have found the marlin as more accurate and still use it today. I use a tip off scope mount that allows me to tip the scope out of the way when walking in the thick stuff andtip the scope back when walking down the old logging roads. This works great for me.