Maybe it is the humidity down here in the south, but I have had all pass-throughs in the 8 deer I have shot with the 30-30. All were shot with 150 gr. bullets, not the 170 gr. which should penetrate even more.

Granted, the longest shot was only about 75 yards, but 8 out of 8 is still 100%.

Don't let anybody fool you. A .30 cal. 150 gr. bullet at 2000 fps. will not have much problem passing through a thin skinned whitetail. Maybe them northern deer have more fat on them.

One of several reasons I prefer the 30-30 over my .270 in close cover woods conditions is because I think it makes a bigger hole in the deer, and I get a better blood trail.

The .35 Rem. has always interested me though. I like the idea of getting into the 200 gr. bullet realm, and I think it would make a great hog gun.