Happened with me also . . . 30+ years ago on rural Maine. While everyone was shooting Savage 99's,Rem 740's and 760's,and Win94's . . I built my wife a T/C Contender rifle and chambered it in 30-30AI.
With it's Leupold 3.5-10X50 scope,the gun is still just above 6lbs.
Since,she has killed deer,bear,moose,coyotes,and now in Fla.,some nice sized hogs,with that gun. All shooting the 165gr SGK bullets ( moly coated).
Stay with those "projects" gentlemen. They are for you. It is not mandated that you please anyone else. --- SAWMAN