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

thanks,
ths78

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!