When I was very young I had two options for rifles for hunting thickets, etc.. a 30-30 Winchesteror a Remington Woodsmaster Carbine 30-06. I selected the 30-06. Not because I had any doubt in the ability of the 30-30, but simply because I felt the 30-06 was "the better cartridge."

I have since those early days purchased a Winchester Model 94 that was built in 1939 (if memory serves me). The rifle's original ownerhad fired seven shotsthrough it (seven years, seven deer as he claimed)before he purchased a 45/70. The rifle was hung up on a wall and only handled twice a year to be cleaned. This old fellow sold me this pre-64 Winchester for $100.00 one evening and I could not pass it up. I hunted a couple years with the 30-30 just for the nostalgia of it all. I then sold that rifle to a family member for much more then I paid for it. (He just had to have that rifle)

If your shots are 150 yards and under, and your a good shot and can place that bullet, the 30-30 will do the job. I hunt with people who have carried the Winchesters and Marlin models, for years and they take a lot of deer with them. The couple deer I shot with it, I used Winchester 170 grain Silver Tip (I believe they were called) and the two deer I shot, never took a step after being hit. A nice rifle, easy to carry, easy to point and shoot, and is a meat and potatoes rifle.

Although I have seen some of the newer model Winchester model 94's that felt nothing at all like the one I sold my brother. Their actions were not as smooth, and I shot one, my friend bought for his son. It was accurate enough, but not like the one I had. I have no reason why my old one felt and shot so much better, but it did.