It will definitely see time afield this fall. I have never shot a deer with a 30-30. My dream gun was a Winchester 94 as a lad, but my uncle, who was a gun aficinado, talked my dad into the Marlin. My father, not the hunter deferred to him and that was what I got. I never regretted the purchase as it was my first, new deer rifle. When I got out of college I started my life as a "semi-loonie" with guns and foolishly traded it away. When I saw this one I couldn't resist since I was watching for a while. I had foolishly passed on a pristine .35 in a Marlin about 4 years ago and kicked myself since. Colorado might not be the ideal environment for a 30-30, but used judiciously I see no problem. In my 20 years of hunting Colorado I have exactly one kill beyond 200 yards so I think I'm OK, time will tell!
