Here in North Arkansas when I was a kid most people hunted with a 30-30 or a 30-06 or 270 Remington Woodmaster or Fieldmaster.
Many Then went to bolt actions in same calibers adding in 243, 25-06 and 7 Mag. Now lot are buying the cheapest bolt actions mostly in sub 30 caliber short action cartriges.
The style of hunting has changed. From dogs and deer drives to sitting on Food plots and corn feeders for most.