re: .30-30 Winchester. Why so unpopular now?

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Should still be traveling in the 1600fps range at 200 yards so I guess it's "doable". Can't say I've ever heard anyone encourage such behavior though.

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The cartridge is wonderful from 75 to 150 yards - after that, it loses some of its wonder.

The lever platform is disadvantaged in a stand because its strengths (light weight and "swingability") are minimized, whereas the bolt guns are practically born to be fired from a stand. Couple that with the "standard" bolt gun calibers, .270, .30-06, .308, and the more esoteric .300 Win, 7mm, the Weatherbys, etc., all have greater range and most have more punch, particularly past 100 to 150 yards.

The platforms and calibers have different purposes and should be judged appropriately. It should be a positive that a trained shooter can perhaps take longer shots and harvest deer with a .30-30 - we shouldn't knock the platform by saying it is a poor choice for deer at 200 yards or more because that's like saying a 9mm pistol is a poor choice for rabbit at 75 yards.