Joe and Tom. Talk about lawyer-proof triggers. I have a Model 94 made in 1910. You won't believe how heavy the trigger pull is on that one. Over 10 pounds. Belonged to my Great-grandfather. He gave it to my Grandfather, who gave it to my Dad who gave it to me. I consider the gun priceless.
I have a thing for the 30-30 Winchester anyway. I killed my first deer at age 11 with that old rifle. I'm 61 now. Probably 80 percent of the deer I have killed, have been with the 94 in 30-30.
I have since owned more than one Model 94. I love 'em.
If you go to (www.earp.com/30-30.html), there is a darn good article on the 30-30 Win. and model 94.
I shoot cast lead almost exclusively in the 30-30 anymore. Anything a jacketed bullet can do, a good cast bullet can do as well.
Right now, I am working on a 190 gr. cast bullet load to duplicate the old .303 Savage. Many old timers that I have talked to, say it was a much better killer than the 30-30. It shot a 190 gr. bullet at around 1950 FPS. They said that penetration was much better on heavy bodied deer and elk.
Using Lyman bullets, #311291 and 31141 (now 311041)(165 to 175 gr.) cast of old style wheel weights, these cast bullets would punch through a deers shoulder blade like a hot knife through butter. New wheel weights do not have the antimony and tin content of the ones made before the early 1970's. With the new stuff, 10 pounds WW and 1 pound linotype makes a good alloy as is. This will give a hardness of about 10 to 12 on the Brinnel scale (BHN) and will heat treat to about 20 to 24 hardness on the BHN scale.
If you want to try a really great 30-30 Win., try and locate an original model 64 Winchester. This is an upscale version of the model 94. Came in two lengths, rifle and carbine. I like the rifle.
For what it is worth, I feed and care for 7 30-30 rifles, all Winchesters of one sort or another, except for one lonely Marlin. All 94's, except for a 64 and 54. The 54 is a relatively rare bolt action. The best shooter of the bunch? The 1910, model 94. Go figure. I just got a rifle (26" barrel) and haven't had time to play with it yet. Been busy getting ready for hunting season, elk and deer both.
Enjoy your 30-30. It is one of the great ones.
Paul B.