The pistol caliber ones are definitely priced high but if you look around you can still get some good deals on used 30-30?s, especially in Colorado since they are ?too small for elk? and are ?limited to a hundred yards to be effective?.
The last couple of Winchesters I bought were in excellent condition and likely hardly ever fired. Both were early 1980?s models and were purchased for $400 and $425. Sometimes you can find the Marlin 36 even cheaper.