If all you want is an easy way to shoot a deer, go with the .30-30.

If you want a different hunting experience, try the ML. Sure, you only get one shot...that's why you make it count. I've NEVER needed a second shot. Every deer I've shot with a ML has gone down, with the longest track being about 100 yards. All shots have been taken at 125 yards or less, with the average shot being about 60 yards. ML hunting requires much more patience and dicipline than rifle or shotgun hunting, because you simply can't spray-n-pray at a running deer on the off chance you might connect.

And yes, ML'ing does usually require that a person spend some time on the range working up a good load. But the time spent on the range is time well spent. If you just want to buy a box of ammo, spend 5 minutes shooting 3 shots into a paper plate at 100 yards before you head out to the woods, then a ML is not for you. As far a accuracy goes, I'd put my Savage up against your best 30-30 levergun any day. My 10ML-II routinely shoots 1.5MOA. Thats pretty remarkable for a levergun, especially with factory ammo. As far as range goes, the .30-30 may have a small advantage (like maybe 50 yards, depending on the ML's load), but not enough to really make a difference in most cases. A ML with full power loads will carry a lot more stopping power than any 30-30. ANY .452cal bullet at 1900-2300fps is a lot more deadly than a 170gr .308cal RN going 2200fps.

It is true that the 30-30 will be cleaner than most ML's (with the 10ML-II being a notable exception), but as long as you can take the stock off the ML, a 2 minute scrub with hot soapy (dish soap) water will get any ML cleaner than two hours of brushing and patching a CF rifle. But cleaning is one of the true downsides for most ML's.

So it really depends on what your priorities and desires are. I'd suggest you try both. A decent CVA ML can be bought for less than $100 at any Wal-Mart. They also make the blister-pak ML combos that include almost all the necessary accessories including a few bullets, just add powder and primers. After you try ML'ing, you might just find that you like it.

Mike