RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

It's kind of like comparing apples and oranges, they're two completely different setups: .30-30=mid weight bullets, mid velocity fairly lightweight levergun, .243=light weight bullets, high velocity, decent weight boltgun, I'd say the only similarity is the fact that people often claim similar range capabilities of the two-which very much so under-rates the .243win, and only slightly so the .30-30win.

It really depends on personal preference: Do you prefer a levergun or a bolt gun? I really love leverguns, but I'm not a huge fan of the .30-30 (I firmly believe that a .44mag is superior to the .30-30 for hunting-ask and I'll explain), I'd probably get the levergun even still just because they're so much fun to shoot...that said, I really love leverguns, and just for hunting only deer at only the range you suggested, the .30-30 will be better IMHO...If you're looking for a varminting rifle then the .243 is your choice.

The .30-30 will likely (not guaranteed) put your deer down faster than the .243, big bullets usually give faster kills than small fast bullets-USUALLY. As I said, I'm not a fan of the .30-30 when compared to other typical levergun cartridges, and I am a huge fan of the .243Win, but then again I'm more a fan of leverguns than boltguns...If I were to use this gun only for deer to ONLY 150yrds, the .30-30 would be my choice, there's no reason to limit the .243 bolt gun to 150yrds for deer though, it's good for probably 100yrds more at least with a good scope, and it really excels at varmint hunting out to 600yrds-you didn't ask about that though.

If I were buying my first rifle, it would be a .243win or WSSM, if I were adding to a firm battery to include a gun to be used ONLY on deer to 150yrds, it would be the .30-30.

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

Hi ths78,

I've used both of those cartridges under the circumstances you've described. As long as I did my part......I'd say the effects were fairly indistinguishable. Use the one you are most confident with!

Best wishes.

Dave

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

As ole Ted Nugent says, you can't beat a .243. .243 would make a much more dramatic shock at 150 yards than a 30-30. Butchered too many deer taken by .243 and 30-30 to be convinced otherwise.

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

Hi bigcountry,

Of course the reverse of that is another good example. The .45-70 with a 400 grain bullet at 1300fps or less doesn't produce much shock and/or blood shot meat. But as long as the bullet is put where it belongs it produces an equally dead dear. And.........you get to eat pretty much right up "to the bullet hole". (And having butchered....you know everything bloodshot and in the garbage pile.....makes for poor eating!;))

Dave

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

ths78,
It sounds like you might be a woods hunter. So am I. Of the deer I have killed in the woods, my farthest shot is about 80 steps. All the rest have been under 35 yards with two shots being less than 15 yards. I never worry about missing out on a dream buck out of range because I am never able to see past 150 yds. At close ranges, I like a slower bigger bullet than a screamin fast little bullet, and the 30-30 fits the bill.
Also, at close range with a 30-30 you really don't have to worry about a bullet failing to do its job because 30-30 velocity is perfect for even the cheapest store bought bullets.
A .243 is also a terrific time proven caliber and if you are limited to one gun, it may fit you better if you hunt in more open land or if you terrorize varments.

C. Davis

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

I have killed about 25 deer with a 30-30 and about 6 with a .6mm Rem. (practically the same as a .243) !!

And I would take the .6mm any day ! I hardly dropped a deer with the 30-30 and most ran 75 yrds or more ..... I found all of them fine ! But I have literally dropped 5 of 6 deer with my .6mm with the same shot placement !! There is no comparison to me ...........and I feel the .243 would give the same results as the .6mm ! I see no advantage the 30-30 has .........none !!

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

For a long time, because I was a lefty and couldn't afford a Weatherby (or really cared to), the only rifle I owned was a Savage 110 LH in .243.
That rifle killed a bunch of deer and all but one dropped where he stood, unless you consider rolling down hill moving. The one that took off was dropped with a second shot that broke both front shoulders. When I skinned that buck out it appeared that the bullet fragmented upon impact and literally exploded just under the skin. Just a fluke. I alway shot handloads out of it and if memory serves me it was 40.5 gr of IMR4350 behind a 100 Gr Hornady bullet. I'd definately go with the .243.

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

with 100 Grain bullets the .243 in a good bolt action rifle is a better round than a .30-30 for deer.....

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

Go with the 243 you will have a great deer rifle and a great varmint rifle. The 243 is very flat shooting and inherently acurate. We use to shoot ground hogs out to 300 yds with the 243. You will love it.

RE: Inside of 150 yds: 30-30 or 243?
 

Inside 150 yards?
Either will do a great or poor job with a great or poor shot. From 150 out to 250 I'd want the .243 ... and beyond 250 (for deer) I'd want something different than either the .243 or the 30/30
Both would serve as decent deer rifles for small to medium sized deer to 150 yards.