RE: 30-30 for deer
Oldelkhunter, it' s fine. When a thread like this one drags out, posts can start to come off wrong. It' s my fault.
on the subject of inexpencive options other than the 30-30,
A shotgun may be a better choice than a 30-30. It' s much more versatile. A fully rifled barrel (slug gun) and premium sabot slugs work very well. The range is about the same. A fair shotgun can be had for about the same price as a 30-30, and has a whole lot more knockdown power at close ranges.
I still think the best deal on the market is a NEF handi-rifle. They' re a good seventy dollars cheaper than a marlin lever action and they have a MUCH wider variety of calibers available.