This topic shows up regularly on all the forums and we still love to read the responses.
Like many of you I have leverguns and boltguns. In fact I currently have two '06 and a .35 Whelen plus Marlins in 30-30, 35 Rem., and .444 Marlin. As my eyes have aged I've put low-power scopes on all my rifles out of respect to the animals I pursue.
There are lots of reasons the 30-30 gets put down these days. Here are a few that may not have been mentioned:
1. Most people have enough money that they can pay more than a 30-30 costs. Necessity does not steer buyers toward the 30-30 guns like it did when times were harder.
2. Our culture thrives on excess. Therefore, even if a 2WD truck will meet 99% of my needs I still want a 4WD. If a 30-30 is adequate, then a 300WM is more desirable.
3. Many so-called hunters spend only a weekend or two in the field each year. The other 361 days they just daydream or don't even think about hunting. The unrealized potential of powerful, long-range rifles with big scopes somehow makes the daydreams more exciting.
Let's face it, if you can hunt and shoot alot the reasons for wanting a super magnum dwindle rapidly because you learn they are not necessary.
The 30-30 is on deck for this Fall as I have not hunted with this particular gun since I got it. I've had other 30-30s in the past but they have been replaced by this classic rig from the past. Here's a picture of my 30-30 followed by a better-than-average, but not unusual, target.
Revelation Model 200 (Western Auto Stores' house-brand Marlin 336) made in 1965 with Revelation 2.5X scope from the same era (exact date & mfg. unk.)

100 yds. benchrest, 3-shot group

I think it'll serve pretty well when the opportunity arises.
