At 100 yards and under the 170-grain flat nose bullets driven at 2,350+ fps and higher velocity, from the 30-30AI, 308 Marlin Express or 307 Winchester do kill deer just a bit quicker than the same bullet launched from the standard 30-30.
I am not suggesting the standard 30-30 will not kill deer, I hunt with several, including a 16� Trapper and I have no trouble killing deer with the 30-30.
When using good bullets such as the 130-grain Speer flat nose, the 150-grain Barnes X and the wonderful 170-grain Speer, the Improved 30-30 delivers noticeably better performance, especially when the deer are in-motion prior to the shot. I have experienced the difference.
If you walk-up your deer in the brush, they will be in motion as the rifle comes to your shoulder and the added energy of the 30-30AI, equaling quicker expansion, provides a difference any hunter experienced with the standard 30-30 will immediately recognize. It�s the reason cartridges such as the 300 Savage developed such a following. The average hunter using the 300 Savage wasn�t shooting deer any further out, but they were hitting the ground hard at the shot.
In my experience deer well hit (crossing the X from front or rear) with a 20� barreled standard 30-30 do not; drop at the shot. I expect deer well hit with the 30-30AI, 308 Marlin Express and 307 Winchester to drop at the shot and I have been very rarely disappointed. This trait reinforces the hunter�s confidence when hunting in thick brush or on public land.
I agree, in today�s market there is no requirement, other than curiosity, to �Improve� the 30-30. The 308 Marlin Express and the two rifles chambered for it have the niche well covered for new rifles. But I have confidence in the statement: �You can see the difference.�
