for me if its just iron sites, i may opt for the 30-30. With iron sites i don't know how much past 125 yrds you are going to shoot anyways. Both are perfectly fine for deer.

it also depends on where you are hunting. are you hunting in the thick? overlooking a field? all of that comes into play depending on how willing you are to take a long range shot. There is absolutely nothing better than a marlin 336 30-30 when you are stalking in the thick.. Load it with the leverlution bullets and you have a 200 yrd gun. And with iron sights, i can't see shooting much farther than that in almost any situation.