As far as your last, I'd say you've been reading too much Ed Matunas. Go over to the Marlinowners forum and look up the bullet tests by 35remington.
I have both and like the 35 over the 30-30 because it hits harder at the ranges I usually shoot leverguns with. Either would work great for deer and hogs within range of the cartridge ballistics. Factory 160 gr. ammo for the 30-30 is now loaded to 2400 fps while the 35 Rem is loaded with 220 gr. to 2200. If you need more than that to expand your bullets, you are probably using the wrong bullet. Either carries over 1000 ft-lbs. past 300 yards. Take your pick.
