I think you are on to something there. Many .30-30 shooters hunt in thick brush where shooting at a running deer is a very distinct possibility. Lots of people here use them since much of our terrain is thicket. We also have a lot of terrible marksmen, if what I have seen at the range is any indication. Heavy brush+poor marksmanship+running deer=lost/wounded deer. No room in that equation for the type of rifle or bullet.