My very first gun, even before a .22 was my Marlin 30AS 30-30. It was perfect. I close my eyes, threw the gun to my shoulder and those sights were lined up perfectly. I traded it off years ago, in pursuit of more speed and power. Since then I've owned a few rifles up to .338 win mag. Now, flash foward: I own a 1951 Winchester 1894 30-30. Thats it for hunting rifles! It can kill a deer out to 200 yards, but 100 yards is about as long a shot as I could take where I like to go play. I have no problem using this rifle when i get my moose draw, and it is a pleasure to carry up the mountain all day long.