My wife once gave me a Marilin 30-30 with a scope already mounted. I finally took it off. I never did figure out what was wrong. It patterned great at 100 yards, but I couldn't hit a deer at 50 to 75 yards. I missed a lot of easy shots.

I then got a Remington .270 with scope for serious deer hunting, and my deer hunting fortunes improved 100%. I can't recall missing with the .270. I took the scope off the 30-30 and began using it for plinking and hunting in thick brush. I never did figure out why, but if I can nail a tomcat at 50 yards with the 30-30 with open sights, why couldn't I hit a deer at the same range with the scope?

Since both rifles are now doing what I want them to, I haven't lost any sleep over it.

clunker