I believe you are correct on that...most use a .30-30 for deer and the commercial ammo manufacturers cater to that. Self loaders do have other options:
Meister Hard Cast Bullets 30-30 Winchester (309 Diameter) 165 Grain
.30 Caliber Bullets Available From Penn Bullets
Rifle Bullets
as an example.
In a self defense against dangerous animal situation I'd take the rifle any day, even if it was only loaded with say 180gr soft points. In a backpacking situation where I wasn't planning on shooting game I'd have to seriously consider the pistol even though my Win94 isn't all that hard to tote. "Not all that hard" can become a serious PITA about day 3; or say on the 3rd portage of a canoe trip...
The -30's taken pretty much everything on the continent whether it would be everyone's first choice or not, inside 150yds with good shot placement it should work just fine and if it doesn't the first time there's that handy lever thing to try again. Inside 50yds where self defense is taking place you're better off with a lower velocity rounds that don't disintegrate on impact anyway.
Meister Hard Cast Bullets 30-30 Winchester (309 Diameter) 165 Grain
.30 Caliber Bullets Available From Penn Bullets
Rifle Bullets
as an example.
In a self defense against dangerous animal situation I'd take the rifle any day, even if it was only loaded with say 180gr soft points. In a backpacking situation where I wasn't planning on shooting game I'd have to seriously consider the pistol even though my Win94 isn't all that hard to tote. "Not all that hard" can become a serious PITA about day 3; or say on the 3rd portage of a canoe trip...
The -30's taken pretty much everything on the continent whether it would be everyone's first choice or not, inside 150yds with good shot placement it should work just fine and if it doesn't the first time there's that handy lever thing to try again. Inside 50yds where self defense is taking place you're better off with a lower velocity rounds that don't disintegrate on impact anyway.