uncle mike,
That 270 with a 130gr pill will be moving appx. 3234 fps, the .30-30 with the 150 gr. pill will only be moving 2416 fps. Hello 800 fps difference. That 270 is moving FASTER than an 30-06 shooting the same 130 gr pill (3179 fps). For compairison, the .308 with that exact same 130 gr pill is moving even slower, at 3135 fps. At least according to my reloading manual.
To those who don't think that means much... the very low recoil .30-30 is moving out at 2496 with a 130 gr pill. We all know how much the .30-30 kicks less than the 30-06. That is only a 600 fps difference. The .243 is lighter by 13 grains, and slower than the .270 by 433 fps (2802 fps). If he is recoil sensitive, the .243 is the round that will beat him up less. In fact, it should feel much like the .30-30 that he can shoot all day. The 270 can actually have more energy than the .30-06, which the OP stated that he was adverse to shooting due to it beating the crap out of him. Why do we recommend the .270 as the best rifle for him knowing he doesn't like handling that much recoil? It is the better deer round, but the .243 will kill them just the same and dead is dead. There isn't anything as more dead or less dead (but there is mostly dead, which means a little bit alive
) If the .270 is too much for the OP, then we are left with the .243 out of the choices that he has given us.
OP - Was the -06 you shot a bolt action or a semi-auto? There is a huge difference in felt recoil between the two. With a semi-auto, a good recoil pad, and reduced recoil loads, the .270 or .30-06 might well fit the bill so I would suggest trying them out if you can. If you can't, it would make more sense to get the .243 because it will be much more manageable and you will shoot it more. There is nothing like wasting money on a gun you are afraid to shoot because it kicks like a mule.