The .30-40 Krag was the first smokeless cartridge available in sporting rifles but the .30-30 Winchester was the first smokeless cartridge specifically designed for big game hunting. When introduced in 1895 in the Winchester Model 94, the .30-30 didn't immediately set the woods on fire with its popularity. In those days most hunters still judged the killing power of a rifle by the size of the hole at the end of the barrel. But word of the .30-30's flatter trajectory, mild recoil, and ability to drop a buck as quickly as big bore cartridges soon got around. This, plus the fact that for decades the Winchester Model 94 represented the least expensive way a fellow could get into deer hunting, soon catapulted the .30-30 to stardom. Even though the .30-30 has celebrated over 100 birthdays it still accounts for its share of venison each year. When loaded with H335, H4895, IMR-4895, or W-748 behind a 170 grain bullet, the .30-30 is a good deer cartridge. Not spectacular, but good enough. Little more can be said of a number of more modern cartridges. 

This text is based on information from “Cartridges of the World”, Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.