OP
OP
C-grunt
Member
I don't know where in Az I will be hunting. I just recently found an experienced hunter in Az to show me the ropes. In Ok the land is think wooded areas with open fields that can be a few hundred yards wide.
Deer rifle. 243 vs 30-30
- Thread starter C-grunt
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Coltdriver
Member
I cannot imagine why anyone says a .243 and a 30 30 are on an even playing field.
A .243 can launch an 85 grain pill out the barrel at around 3200 fps. That will blow a hole through any deer at 300 yards. You can set the point blank range out to 265 yards and 300 yards is an easy shot. I have a load in my Ruger that is 3400 fps. A little 85 grain partition does damage all out of proportion to its size at those speeds.
A 30 30 is just not in the same class. Start with a 110 grain pill at 2600 fps and watch the arc. Within 150 yards, fine. Beyond that you better know your arc. 300 yards may be possible but go to a ballistics calculator and see the drop you have to deal with.
A .243 is the hands down choice between the two in my not so humble opinion.
A .243 can launch an 85 grain pill out the barrel at around 3200 fps. That will blow a hole through any deer at 300 yards. You can set the point blank range out to 265 yards and 300 yards is an easy shot. I have a load in my Ruger that is 3400 fps. A little 85 grain partition does damage all out of proportion to its size at those speeds.
A 30 30 is just not in the same class. Start with a 110 grain pill at 2600 fps and watch the arc. Within 150 yards, fine. Beyond that you better know your arc. 300 yards may be possible but go to a ballistics calculator and see the drop you have to deal with.
A .243 is the hands down choice between the two in my not so humble opinion.
I reload the 30-30 with a 125 grain Sierra Jacketed HP @ around 2500 fps out of my Marlin 30-30. For woods hunting it really turns the 30-30 into a deer smacker.
If I was going to go with a flat shooting rifle for deer sized game I'd have to skip the .243, and go with a .25-06. JMO.
I have had 150 grain and 170 grain 30-30 bullets go plum through a deer length wise @ 75 yards.
The load my wife uses in a 30-30 for deer is the same Sierra 125 grain JHP @ 2150 fps with a red dot that has a zero of 75 yards, and this is a great deer load inside 75 yards with zero recoil.
The great thing about a 30-30 and .30 cals in general is they can be loaded with 110 grain JHP to 170 grain round nose bullets. A very versatile cartridge.
If I was going to go with a flat shooting rifle for deer sized game I'd have to skip the .243, and go with a .25-06. JMO.
I have had 150 grain and 170 grain 30-30 bullets go plum through a deer length wise @ 75 yards.
The load my wife uses in a 30-30 for deer is the same Sierra 125 grain JHP @ 2150 fps with a red dot that has a zero of 75 yards, and this is a great deer load inside 75 yards with zero recoil.
The great thing about a 30-30 and .30 cals in general is they can be loaded with 110 grain JHP to 170 grain round nose bullets. A very versatile cartridge.
wlewisiii
Member
Of the two the OP is considering, I'd grab the Marlin. I just simply love hunting with my Winchester 94 & as far as range is concerned, if you can't hit with a .30-30 you're not close enough.
That said, out there I'd take one of my Mausers in 7x57.
That said, out there I'd take one of my Mausers in 7x57.
DM~
Member
I'd grap the 270 and run! At least it will do everything better than the other two choises and you won't out grow it!
DM
DM
Old judge creek
Member
I'm a life long 30-30 man but the 243 beats it all to heck for most applications, IMO.
For most applications past 175 yards, yes. That is if the 30-30 owner is not a hand loader. If they are, well, then you have a different situation on your hands within that 175 yards.
The lever gun is a faster platform for shooting multiple targets.
The lever gun shoulders better, IMO, than a bolt gun for snap shots.
The 30-30 like mentioned before can be loaded with a 110 grain HP moving upwards of 2650 fps, and a 125 grain HP at 2500+ fps safely. Does it have the long range of a .243? No, but loading a 30-30 lever gun with these rounds seriously closes the gap with the .243 within the distance I gave earlier in this post.
I would take either, but for me a .243 would not be in the picture because I have hunted with a .25-06. Also mentioned was a .270, and don't look back.
I don't know why I let myself get dragged into these type posts ---> Beating my fist against my head.
The lever gun is a faster platform for shooting multiple targets.
The lever gun shoulders better, IMO, than a bolt gun for snap shots.
The 30-30 like mentioned before can be loaded with a 110 grain HP moving upwards of 2650 fps, and a 125 grain HP at 2500+ fps safely. Does it have the long range of a .243? No, but loading a 30-30 lever gun with these rounds seriously closes the gap with the .243 within the distance I gave earlier in this post.
I would take either, but for me a .243 would not be in the picture because I have hunted with a .25-06. Also mentioned was a .270, and don't look back.
I don't know why I let myself get dragged into these type posts ---> Beating my fist against my head.
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I've used both calibers to hunt deer in various Winchester, Savage, and Ruger rifles and for me the 243 is the winner in any situation I can think of. I'd always pick 243 if my only other option was 30-30, and worry more about what kind of action I wanted or if I wanted a scope or not.
Kachok
Member
243 for open country, 30-30 if you want more penatration, but the 6.5x55 beats them both for each with the same level of recoil. Long heavy javlin like bullets retain more energy at range and drive deep enough to blast through a moose, for many years it was a stand alone in the small caliber world, now there are the 260 rem, 6.5 Creedmore, and 6.5x47 that all rival it in standardized short actions and bolt faces, but I still prefer the original for sentimental reasons. The only advantage the 243 holds over the 6.5mms is it's lightning quick 55-70gr varmint bullets, and the 30-30 only holds advantage of being a larger hole going in.
i have been hunting with my 30-30 for several years now and it is a fine rifle and an excellent choice for the first 200 yards. after that, the .243 has a major advantage.
the biggest consideration is what type of action you prefer. yes, the lever is faster, but not by all that much. IMO its biggest advantage is the ease with which you can top off the magazine (we do a lot of driven hunts so topping off is more common than in most situatons).
i would suggest you go with the .243. a good bolt action is a great way to get into big game hunting and is much more capable at longer ranges. i really like my ol' 30-30, but i picked up a ruger 30-06 recently and i can already tell that it is going to be my "go to" deer rifle for as long as i can tell. the faster action of a lever is nice, but i would rather have the longer reach, higher power, and better accuracy that can be had from a good bolt action.
the biggest consideration is what type of action you prefer. yes, the lever is faster, but not by all that much. IMO its biggest advantage is the ease with which you can top off the magazine (we do a lot of driven hunts so topping off is more common than in most situatons).
i would suggest you go with the .243. a good bolt action is a great way to get into big game hunting and is much more capable at longer ranges. i really like my ol' 30-30, but i picked up a ruger 30-06 recently and i can already tell that it is going to be my "go to" deer rifle for as long as i can tell. the faster action of a lever is nice, but i would rather have the longer reach, higher power, and better accuracy that can be had from a good bolt action.
Badlander
Member
The 30-30 will reach game at my self imposed limitations. I'm not shooting any game at 250 yds. I know my skill level. A bench is one thing, field positions are quite another. I do love the lever actions.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Most lever guns have iron sights; not all that many are scoped. Most bolt-actions, including .243s, are scoped.
It takes a heckuva lot of practice to be good with buckhorn sights beyond 100 to 150 yards and do precision shooting.
I've travelled around a bunch of Arizona, through the years. From what I've seen, I'd take my .243 over my 94 and never even think about it.
It takes a heckuva lot of practice to be good with buckhorn sights beyond 100 to 150 yards and do precision shooting.
I've travelled around a bunch of Arizona, through the years. From what I've seen, I'd take my .243 over my 94 and never even think about it.
MrDig
Member
I have to second that sentiment, as much as I like both calibers if forced to choose between the two I would choose the .243
Since I own rifles that shoot the two I don't have to choose I can shoot both. But I do like the .243 a little better for it's flat trajectory, and the fact that it can reach out a little farther than the 30-30 effectively for Deer sized game.
tahunua001
Member
growing up I shot my dads remington 700 in 243, my best friend, and inseparable hunting buddy always took his dads 30-30, I got my first deer(an admittedly small doe) at 300 yards the same year he got his first buck at 200 yards. the next year I he got a decent sized doe and I got a monster buck(both inside 100 yards). they are both highly capable rounds for deer and are both great within 200 yards. 243 is better over long ranges while 30-30 tends to drop off after 200. many shooters claim that it's impossible to take anything with a 30-30 past 100 yards but I have the personal experience to know that those observations are old wives tales told by the magnum crowd to try and justify owning an 11 pound rifle that costs 2 dollars every time they pull the trigger.
BADUNAME37
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I would say, if you are primarily hunting close-range, in brush, woods, etc. I would take the 30-30. If I was hunting longer distances where a flatter trajectory would be beneficial, then the .243 would be my choice. I cannot picture shooting a deer at 250 yards with a .30-30, however, I am sure people do it.
MrDig
Member
FWIW, if you go to a gun store or big name retailer don't let some semblance of a sphincter tell you the .243 is a "kids" caliber to try and embarrass you into buying something different.
The .243 is a perfectly acceptable adult caliber and in this particular case size doesn't matter as they are both equally capable of taking Deer sized game.
The .243 is a perfectly acceptable adult caliber and in this particular case size doesn't matter as they are both equally capable of taking Deer sized game.
Deltaboy1984
Member
In the open country 243 all the way.
Just get which one will give you confidence with a tough shot. As indicated by most, that would probably be the 243. Everyone has their favorite, and many of us start out with one or the other. I started with a 30-30, and moved to flatter shooting cartridges for my longer shots. As I gained confidence, I went back to what I prefer. Usually short range lever cartridges. I have the advantage in knowing how to hunt, where I will find deer, and usually which one I want to shoot. Get the one you want and shoot the heck out of it and be passionate about it. I am now a bow hunter to add to the challenge. Long rifles just made it all a bit to easy.
Depends on your hunting area...
Woodsy/brushy/limited line of sight...the .30/30 for anything under 150 Yds
Hunting over say a bean field, low grass meadows, etc up to 300 Yds...the .243
Personally, I'm not gonna take a shot over 300, even with my .30-06. My longest shot on a deer was a laser-measured 176 Yds with my .30-30. One shot, walked about 10 feet to lean against a tree, then flop! DRT
Woodsy/brushy/limited line of sight...the .30/30 for anything under 150 Yds
Hunting over say a bean field, low grass meadows, etc up to 300 Yds...the .243
Personally, I'm not gonna take a shot over 300, even with my .30-06. My longest shot on a deer was a laser-measured 176 Yds with my .30-30. One shot, walked about 10 feet to lean against a tree, then flop! DRT
Steel Talon
Member
Of your 2 choices, the .243 would be my choice.
#1 Suitability to terrain it beats the 30-30, wide open spaces and can be used in the the AZ brush effectively. For one I never snap shoot at game with any caliber other than a shotgun and rabbits.
#2 penetration is just as good as a 30-30 with proper bullet choice
#3 .243 is much more accurate at all distances than a 30-30 and thus gives you a wider application of animals to hunt.
#4 The ,243 is a breeze to hand load for and is fairly inexpensive to do so.
#5 The .243 is mild in it's recoil and therefor provide a better platform to master marksmenship skills.
#6 The .243 CAN"T compete with the coolness and history of the 30-30
My #1 choice of caliber to hunt with up to Elk is the 25-06. My #2 is the .300win mag.
#1 Suitability to terrain it beats the 30-30, wide open spaces and can be used in the the AZ brush effectively. For one I never snap shoot at game with any caliber other than a shotgun and rabbits.
#2 penetration is just as good as a 30-30 with proper bullet choice
#3 .243 is much more accurate at all distances than a 30-30 and thus gives you a wider application of animals to hunt.
#4 The ,243 is a breeze to hand load for and is fairly inexpensive to do so.
#5 The .243 is mild in it's recoil and therefor provide a better platform to master marksmenship skills.
#6 The .243 CAN"T compete with the coolness and history of the 30-30
My #1 choice of caliber to hunt with up to Elk is the 25-06. My #2 is the .300win mag.
T.R.
Member
You'll find 30-30 ammo pricing is less than 243 and often discounted during Fall season.
Recoil is similar with both cartridges but 243 has louder report which may make it "seem" to recoil harder.
I'm huge fan of both cartridges but my 30-30 is top choice for hunting in the forests and foothills.
TR
Recoil is similar with both cartridges but 243 has louder report which may make it "seem" to recoil harder.
I'm huge fan of both cartridges but my 30-30 is top choice for hunting in the forests and foothills.
TR
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