RE: 30-30 for deer
The reason more game has been killed with the 30/30 is the same reason more game has been wounded with it. There are more of them and it has been around longer than most other rounds. In its day, it was THE premier elk round because of its trajectory. I will tell you now, the deer, elk, moose whatever are not bigger, tougher, smarter etc. than they were then.
That said, it should be known that I don' t own a 30/30 and never have. I have used some and hunted with people who have killed deer with them. They do work. As for as cheap rifles, some of those lever guns sell for more than the Savage rifle in question. Footballplaya, don' t give up on your Savage just yet, get a pad put on it, practice more etc. You have a way more versatile hunting tool than a 30/30.
KC