There's nothing wrong with not liking recoil. I've shot some very heavy recoiling rifles and shotguns- that doesn't mean that I enjoy it, or choose to. I'm not afraid of recoil, but I know that I shoot much better & more accurate with a rifle that produces less felt recoil. FELT recoil is the key- because there are a lot of factors besides which cartridge you use. My uncle's .303 British Lee Enfield with a carbine barrel and a metal buttplate that digs into your shoulder is WAY more uncomfortable to shoot than my 12 gauge shooting full-power slugs- because I have a good recoil pad on it.

So whatever you choose, make sure the rifle fits you well and sits well on your shoulder, then go and put a good recoil pad on it and it will make all the difference in the world.

+ 1 for the .243



Triple threat - Varmint, Deer and bench shooting..................

Get something that fits! For deer almost anything will work...even a .243. As far as caliber, the biggest thing is the rifle feeling comfortable so you relax when you shoot. If you fear pulling the trigger you will flinch and screw up the shot. I repeat. If you are afraid of the firearm, you will miss and not enjoy shooting. The deer isn't going to kill you if you miss, you just have to live with your conscience.

I can't think of any circumstance where I would choose a 30-30 over a .243. I switched last year to a .243 after many years of shooting a .270. The .270 is a fine gun, but I just can't stand shooting it. It kicks like a mule and makes my ears ring for hours. Maybe I'm just getting older, but I just hated shooting it, especially practicing and sighting in.

Heavy cover! A 30-30 will cut brush and then kill the deer. A .243 will launch it's self into space with the slightest bit of brush.

Now that's what I'm talkin' bout, Amen!!

Bull****!

That's a myth. I've had a 410 grain 50cal conical deflected by a branch that was maybe 3/8" in diameter enough to miss the deer on the other side. There is no such thing as a "brush busting" bullet. If the bullet hits an object on it's way to the target, it will be deflected unpredictably no matter what caliber you use.

This is one myth that just won't die because ignorant people won't stop perpetuating it.

Oh, and I'd get the .243 in case you ever need to reach out and touch one at 150+ yards. The .30-30 can be good to 200 to maybe 250 with the new Leverevolution ammo, but the .243 still has a major edge past 150 no matter what you shoot.

Mike

Ruger M77II Compact in .308 Winchester. Mount a good quality scope in the Ruger rings...like a Nikon with BDC...

Start out with the managed recoil loads...more than enough for deer out to 200 yards...

Need more power (maybe large pigs)...move up to the full power 150 grain loads...or even a premium 165 grain load...

Need even more power (say elk or moose)...try Hornady's light magnum loads...

The more I try the Ruger compact (I have short arms) the more I like it...

......Now, there's a man who knows whereforeof he speaketh....

Lol, this thread is 6 months old and still wont die. One other round to consider though for light recoil and accurate out to 300+ is the 6.5X55.