well with that money aside since you "want" to buy a new gun then its a wonder how a 30-30 could kill a squirrel at 20 yards...so pitiful and underpowered. now. I assume the 30-30 is probably a 336 or model 94 levergun(if not then listen anyways
). If this is correct then you are comfortable with the levergun platform. Now to me i've never in all my days picked up *any* firearm that felt so good to my shoulder as a Marlin leveraction, particularly the 1895 Guide Gun which is what I will recommend first and foremost. As money allows after I get the new 308ME I am going to get a new guide gun since they have the stainless/laminate/trueglo sights just because. And this will probably be my go-to bear gun. I saw that particular one priced for $599 before. If abit longer range I'd lean to a Marlin 444 XLR series, but close up i say the GG. Either way it will leave you money to burn on ammo.