Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?

[ths78]

Which is better at putting down deer faster inside of 150 yds., a 30-30 or 243?

thanks,
ths78

[James B]

Inside 150 yards my choice would be the 30-30 hands down.

[mainehunt]

Which ever one you can shoot the most accurately. Most of the deer that I have shot with my .243, (all one shot kills) have taken less than 10 steps before dropping.

I have never hunted with a 30-30. I am afraid that if I do, Then that would be the one time when the buck of my dreams steps out broadside at 300. I would be confident of hitting my mark with the .243, but not with the 30-30.

Of course, now that I've said this, many will probably disagree and "slam" me for it.

Mainehunt.

[rybohunter]

I only know what my 243 will do....which is put the deer down really fast.

[Todd1700]

If you know for an absolute fact that all shots will be within 150 yards then the 30-30 will be all you need. But if a longer shot is even a possibility I'd go with the 243. I wouldn't want to try and stretch a 30-30 much past 150 yards. I am quite comfortable out to 300 yards with a .243 on deer.

Oh yeah, as for which will put them down faster? I think inside 150 yards its a wash. I wouldn't say one would assure lightening bolt kills any more often than the other.

[diyj98]

I'd take the 30-30. I personally feel the .243 is about minimum for whitetails.

[little-d]

my first deer rifle was a 30-30 marlin i used it for 20 years killed more deer than i could keep up with,all died fast.The gun wore out and i changed to a bar 270 and a rem. youth series in 243 cal. I have hunted only a few seasons with the 243 but it has proved to be deadly.Comparing the 30-30 to the 243 at 150 yards i would go with the 243.Although a perfect hit with a good 150 gr. 30-30 bullet will kill most animals at 150 yards.danny

[rybohunter]

a 243 has more energy than a 30-30. I never understood peoples thinking about a 243 being a minimum caliber.

[BigBore1895]

I would go with the 30-30 hands down. Energy is important, but bullet wieght of the 30-30 is a big advantage. I always have thought of the 7mm-08 or 25-06 as my minimum for deer, but I am a fan of bigger bullets. I have seen plenty of deer fall to the 30-30, and there is a reason for it's popularity.

[JagMagMan]

I'd take the .243 any day of the week! Inside 150 yards the deer would not know the difference between the .243 or the 30-30!
My luck, I'd get the buck of a lifetime that would be just out of the 30-30's range!
That same buck would be easy pickin's with the .243!
I do see the .243 as the minimum caliber, but it is a very good minimum!