They changed from the bottom safety to the top tang safety in 1969.

From what I saw going through all the catalogs is that the model 30 is basically a model 77 except it came with added features like the engraving and checkering. In 1969 they also added the checkering to the 77's buttstock.

What really caught my eye is the fact that Savage states that the barrels on the "NEW" model 30 (1969) are interchangeable. Now it's got me kinda interested in building a set with a model 30 although I find it really hard to believe you could take a 12 gauge barrel off and just install a 410 barrel on the same action, that's a big difference.