Something told me when I posted it this would be a "popular" thread any which way you cut it. I appreciate all the responses. Could not agree more on the "learn to shoot damnit!!" responses. I consider myself a shooter first and a hunter secondarily (see screen name lol), so this is near and dear to me. My take on it, before and after this thread, is that the 30-30 is perfectly capable, but when you have a bigger hammer available, why not use it? Seems several in this thread agree. I should note that the same hunting buddy who lost the 2 deer 30-30 hit earlier this season made a spectacular raking shot this past Monday evening to take a 130lb'er. He borrowed my brothers 700 SPS 308 4-12x40 Leupold VX-II w/ 168gr Bal Silvertips (consistant 1/2 MOA gun by the way). Amazingly enough we had an exit wound, came in behind the short rib in front of the ham, traversed the lenght of the deer, and exited the off-side shouder...DRT. So it goes!! Again thanks for all the replys.