re: The old veteran 30-30

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I do like 30-30s and call them "brush guns" sometimes. Not because they shoot through brush, but they are usually more compact and fast handling when you are hunting in thick brush.

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I actually never heard that the cartridges were better in the brush - your definition of "brush gun" is the only one I've used.

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What happened that you dislike them?

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Not easy to express all the concerns. It's not just one thing. The caliber, the system, the odds of ever actually shooting twice. Why sacrifice accuracy when you really are only going to shoot once? I'd rather have a pump if not going with a semi.

Then no one should ever make another bolt gun.

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Bolt actions are barely less ancient than lever actions.

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True enough - but the nature of the design - modern, medium grade and higher weapons are really more accurate than most shooters can take advantage of. Levers? Not quite as accurate.

I agree with you that it is fine out to reasonable limits of the cartridge and platform:

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(150ish)

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Yep.

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If this was only about practicality, we would all only hunt with AR-10s.

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Amen, brother.

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The difference between good lever guns and sporter bolt-actions is much smaller than most think.

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We are not necessarily in disagreement.

What is different - from a practical standpoint, is that bolts are far more likely to be fired prone and/or supported. Levers are almost always fired standing. I think that subjectively colors the subjective assessment of the accuracy of the platform. Now - I know that as range extends - the cartridge and platforms diverge wildly. I would say that at pistol ranges or a little further, you will not notice a difference in accuracy under comparable firing conditions and the lever will "feel" easier to maneuver and shoot at those ranges. They probably meet at or about 150 yards - where the bolt becomes increasingly the gun you want to take that shot as range extends past that point. The need for rapid follow ups decreases with range as well, although I agree broadly with Alx on that - I think follow up shots with non-semis are a wash across the board with long guns - whether your action is bolt, pump or lever - the shooter skill and repetition is going to determine if/how fast that second shot is going to get downrange - and the action is a secondary (if that) concern.

Shot my first deer with a Winchester 94 30-30.
Switched to a 270, but every deer I've killed could have been Killin with that 30-30.

First deer I ever shot was with a 30 30. 5 pt running across a pipeline at about 80 yards with open sights. Prob the best shot I ever made

Theres no telling how many (first deer) have been killed with the 30-30, It was all i hunted with when i was younger. My son took it over and i use my 7mag or bow most of the time. But it is truly one of my favorite guns of all time. I made it a priority to kill a deer with it this year. He kills several deer every year with it, most of them offhand shots. I love to hear stories of hunters getting their first one with it. It just doesnt get the love of other guns except by a few people. Yall keep the stories coming guys!

I know a old man whos fixin to buy one next week. He loves mine and wants one now.