Maybe a Remington 722 chambered for the 300 Savage would be a better comparison. I don't know of any bolt guns in 30-30.
To my way of thinking this isn't as much about the cartridge as it is the cheap imported ammo. In reality 300 Savage is about the same cost (0.20/rd) as steel cased 7.62 x 39 these days with the added benefit of brass cases for the hand loader. A 150 gr bullet (300 Savage) can be loaded to 2500 fps.
Why no 300 Savage bolt guns?
The old Remington 788 was available in .30-30, and while rear locking, is stronger than any of the other .30-30s im aware of. The other more common ones are the savage/steven 3/8** series of guns, front locking single lug. All of them are generally considered quite accurate, but since ive never seen a 788 in 30-30 here i havent gotten to play with one yet.
I would love to have a .300 savage AI to compliment my .250AI, but the cost of loading for it isnt worth the cool factor. The .308 does everything the 300 can and is cheaper to shoot. Even the modernized .30TC failed due to the .308 hogging the short action .30 cal market share.
The x39 doesnt do everything the other two (or more depending) do, but its close enough and cheaper still.
The .30-30 is only available in lever guns now, which are generally more expensive, and is also at least twice the price for basic ammo.
Couple all that with a good, low cost rifle like the RAR, give it some good publicity, and now you got alot of folks willing to try something newish, where as when x39s were only available in 5-700 dollar guns they would just buy the 300-350 dollar .308.