Two problems i see with these discussions are, "book energy" always enters the discussion, and "few" seem to understand it's the bullet choise that's most important NOT the cal.. "If" i can choose the gun, and the bullet that will be used in the 30/30, i'd take it over the .243 and not look back!! (under 150 yd shots)

Many times a person chooses one cal over the other because of "paper energy!! Many other times a cal gets a bad rap because of the gun it's chambered in!! I choose what cal that has worked the best for me in the field, NOT what it says will happen in a book some place!!

I've shot more game animials with a .243 win, than with a 30/30, but when Federal started loading Nosler partitions in the 30/30 it took that round up a few notches in my book!!!

A 788 Remington chambered in 30/30 loaded with Federal NP's would be one heck of a deer rifle out to 150 yards!!!

Drilling Man