ORIGINAL: stalkingbear
OK-go ahead and pick on my old weaver steel tube.
I decided long ago that as soon as it even sneezed,I'd replace it with a leupold. But it never has SO FAR.
ORIGINAL: .25MOA
I think UncleNorby may have hit on something solid, as I have never seen a 30-30 equipped with what I would call a quality optical sight. Most have "scopes" I wouldn't put on my 6 yr old cousin's Red Ryder bb gun.
I would NEVER pick on the steel-tube Weavers made in El Paso, TX. Have a number of them still on various guns, & some in reserve! Even the J2.5X and J4 are useful.
I once built a 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser carbine with a J2.5 on it. It weighed 5.5 pounds, and slung across my back, the muzzle was below my shoulder. Very easy packin' mountain carbine, and easy in the brush too!. And accurate. Those old Weaver J- scopes have Looong eye relief. On a heavy kicker (like a Deerslayer) they could be mounted far forward, so as not to brain you when shooting.
The Series 60B model Weavers are still plenty good too!