I am just starting to learn what all the buzz is about with the .30-30 lever action... I am 27, and since getting into guns as a teenager, have been more about the military-style rifles than anything. However, my grandpa gave me a Winchester 94 Cowboy Hall of Fame commemorative edition back in 2000 or so. I kept it around all these years without shooting it, and back in November I took it out to shoot it for the first time (after installing studs/swivels and a sling).
I was very impressed with how it shot and felt. While zeroing it, I shot a bug hole at 25m with the factory irons from prone with a sling... though the factory rear sight wouldn't adjust down low enough to completely zero (it was about an inch high). A Williams FP rear sight will be on it in the very near future.
I am really glad I decided to take it out and shoot it. Though it is beautiful and gold plated, it will be much more valuable to me as a shooter than it will as a wall-hanger or safe queen.
BTW, I love the fact that quality, reloadable ammo is available in .30-30 for under $.50/round. That makes my Model 94 even more economical to shoot than my M1 and M1A! Academy sells Monarch-brand ammo (which is Prvi Partizan) for $9 and change per box, for either 150 or 175 grain. I have heard good things about these Hornady Lever Evolution bullets... I hope to try out some loads with them soon, on some of this Prvi brass.
Anyway, here's a picture of my 94AE:
