The Marlin 336 is my personal favorite when it comes to 30-30 lever. However, I'm a guy who scopes his rifles (bad eyes) and I generally don't carry a 30-30 anymore when I'm deer hunting. I like the side eject.
For just general carry I have a .357 Mag Marlin 1894 with a peep sight. It is great on feral cats, coyotes, and the assorted vermin I find when I'm out running around the farm. It also shoots like an all-day sucker.
