My dad shot his black bear with a Marlin 30-30 when I was a kid. Killed it deader than a door nail about about 50 yards away. The 3 deer that I have shot with mine have all been 1 shot flops. The 30-30 hasnt gotten any less effective just because more streamlined and faster rounds have been developed. It is still a great low recoil hard hitting round out to about 150 yards. (Even farther with the LeverEvelution round).