Glamdring, my 94 shoots 1+" groups at 50 yards from the sandbags, most of the time. Right now, it's at a smith getting its trigger worked down to maybe 2 1/2 lbs. It wears a peep sight also.IOW, both sights and triggers can be upgraded w/o major trauma.
As for "Real" rifles, in the mixed woods and field hunting available here in the East, the 30-30 has more than enough range. My records are incomplete, and I don't actually tape off shot distances ex post facto, but my last 10 deer or so fell to a shot of less than 50 yards,35 yards or so all weapons, 45 yards with just firearms. Ya gotta be close with a longbow(G)...
Ideally, for those that have time and discretionary income for two centerfires,IMO a good combo would be a Model 94 set up like mine for brush and rainy hunting, and a bolt action, highly accurate 30-06,270,280, or mid caliber magnum with a big@$$ scope for longer situations.
But a lot of good hunting gets done with just a 30-30. IMO, it should be the first choice for an Eastern hunting battery, and not a bad 2nd or 3rd choice for Western hunting...