I used a 30-30 for the past 3 years (its a marlin 336w) and i love it. Its short, accurate and has enough power to knock down a deer. I sited in at 100 yards and its perfect. The farthest shot i ever got at a deer was only about 35 yards, for some reason all of my deer have been at 30 to 35 yards away when i bagged them and every time except for one time it knock them right down in thier tracks. I would strongly recomend a 30-30 to anyone who for deer and doesn't need to shoot over 150yds.