ORIGINAL: zrexpilot
ORIGINAL: Mr. .45-70
First, this is not meant to be confrontational. That said, in regards to the velocity and energy of a .243 at 500 yards, IMO that's an irrelevant statistic. According to my ballistics table, a 105 grain .243 zeroed in at even 200 yards will shoot 53.6 inches LOW at 500 yards. So anyone claiming to be shooting deer at that distance in my opinion has got more crap than a four story outhouse.
In regards to bullet deflection, it is true that all bullets will have some degree of deflection if contacting brush or branches, but a lighter smaller bullet will deflect more than a heavier larger bullet.
A .243 is definitely enough gun to take deer, but if it was a superior caliber for hunting deer more people would be hunting with it. In my neck of the woods, I don't know of anyone who hunts with a .243. Well, except my buddies ex-wife, but she was a little lady who was averse to recoil
Mr. .45-70
Wait a minute, no one even loads a 105 gr. bullet for the .243, second going by balistic tables and using two of the best bullets, in my opinion for the .243, the Federal 100 gr and 85 gr. hollow point. The 100 gr. sighted @ 200 yds has a 39.9 in. drop at 500 and the 85gr has a 32.8 in. drop. I wont even state what the 30-30 is.
What I was just trying to prove is the power of the .243 which is a lot more than the 30-30 thats it, not telling anyone to go shooting 500yds, just showing that the power at that range is equall to the 30-30 at 200. the 30-30 doesnt even have a 1000lbs enrgy @ 200 yds.
You know I have killed a lot of deer with the 30-30 and never lost one, nor have I lost one with the .243 either, but the .243 does a lot more damage and is just a lot better gun in my opinion.
The 30-30 is good for a 100 yds and thats it, it falls off the scale real quick after that.
Zrexpilot,
You might want to check out some reloading catalogs. There are a few company's that make a 105gr. bullet in a .243. A few would be a Hornady 105 Gr. A-Max, A Speer 105 Gr. Hot-Cor SPT. Sierra also offers a couple Matchking's in a 107Gr.
I think it all boils down to preference and hunting condition's. If I'm going to be hunting where my shots are going to be inside 150 yards, I'll take the .30-30 hands down. Outside of that(150 Yards) If it was a choice between the two I'd probably have to opt for the .243. Although I'd prefer at least a .270 for that range.
Mr. .45-70