[Eaker]

I can sneak up on them with a shovel too. To each his own, but this to me is like recommending a Pacer as a first car.

You could drive it, but why would you???

[Double Tap]

You are comparing a Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 to a AMC Pacer??? Sorry fella, but that ain't valid. The Pacer was an unreliable POS. The Marlin and Winchester are anything but that.

Let me ask you this. What is the average range that whitetail deer are shot at? And what is the difference in the trajectory of the 30/30 with 150gr. or 170gr. bullets and the 7mm Remington Mag with 140gr. or 150gr. bullets at that range?

[Colorado Doug]

Let's face it. About any rifle suggested here will kill a dear. I would worry more than a little bit about the 22's though.
Here is what I like about my old 30-30.
It was dirt cheap ($80)
It never needs anything
It can ride behind the seat of the truck on dirt roads for months and be fired accurately at a moments notice
I don't worry about banging the scope because it doesn't have one, just an iron sight, the stock and barrel are already beat up too
It sights faster than any scope through brush or low light and has an unlimited field of view
It's light to carry, easy to load and quick to chamber a round.
Because it's so tough, you can take it anywhere. Remember, you can't shoot anything if your rifle isn't with you or in a case to keep from getting scratched.
Mine has been abused for about 25 years, the stock is missing a good sized chunk of wood because something fell on it, it's even been under water. Still, I can take that rifle any time, any where and kill a deer or anything short of an elk. Sure, I like my other rifles but I would never treat any of them like I have treated my $80, used and abused 30-30 and expect them to be accurate. The 30-30 has proven to be reliable, no matter what. I just don't care about 400 yard ballistics tests because I don't want to drag a deer that far anyway. There's no reason you can't get within a hundred yards unless you wear size 20 sneakers..