If you handload I would go 30-30 all the way.
As far as a rifle, I grew up being a Winchester fan..but the last 40 years of owning various rifles has taught me that maybe the best 30-30 rifles EVER made (especially for scope use )were the 1960s to late 1970s Marlin 336 rifles.
Look around and you should find a very clean one for under $500.
Their like will never be made again and you can do darn near anything with one.
This is probably the way I'll end up going. It just makes too much sense. I see them all the time for well under $500. And I already have a few boxes of ammo, and a 1-4x20 shotgun scope waiting.
I'll add a Lee Loader, some trail boss, 3031 or Leverevolution, and I'll be set. I already have a mallet😂. Maybe I'll even buy a mold to make some light boolits for plinking.
I might get a Champion plastic stock to lighten it up a bit.
