I think a predominant train of thought is to carry more gun than one probably needs. The problem with that is that there comes a point when there's so much gun that one can no longer handle it skillfully.

While the .30-30 wouldn't be my first choice for elk hunting today, there was a time when the only rifle in my possession was a .243, and it killed 3 elk (lost none, trailed none) before I added a .30-06. Under the right conditions, I can't recommend that the .30-30 won't kill an elk. Obviously, if your elk hunting depends on a 700-yard gun, the .30-30 isn't for you. I might suggest learning how to stalk - and it won't matter so much what your cartridge headstamp says.