i've been saving since last deer season when i had to use my friends guns so i could by my own and i can't decide between a 243 or a 30-30 and i don't know what a good brand name for the gun and a scope

Marlin 30-30 with a Nikon Prostaff scope.

And welcome to the forums!

It depends on how much you have saved and are going to spend on each... If we know how much then we can tell you the best brands for your money...... Otherwise, we might wind up telling you a gun for 500.00 whan you only have 300.00 and that won't work.

I know, I know, the 30-30 has taken more deer over the years than all others combined! But........
There ARE better calibers, the .243 is one of them!!!!!

The 30-30 would be toward the bottom of my list and the .243 would be toward the top.

I'll agree the 30-30 has downed more deer than any caliber there is over the years, but honestly today with the newer, faster, flatter shooting calibers the 30-30 is nearly obsolete as a hunting rifle. i would recommend a .243, as for brands, if you have the money its hard to beat a remington model 700. if you are on a budget savage makesgood, toughrifles that won't flatten your wallet. hope this helps and good luck

before you look at getting a 243 or 30 30 look at a 260 its got the knock down powerneeded to take down a big animal. and its just as flat shooting as a 243. im good friends witha a local gun dealer here where i live and he even has taken his 260 elk hunting. just a nother option to think about hope i dont confuse u. they even make it in a youth model and it has little recoil. good guns for youith or the wife. also it s not that expensive mine is made by remington model 7

What he said X 2

.243 Win.

Weatherby ultralight

my wife and I both shoot 243.
I have a Remington Mohawk carbine.love that little rifle.it is short and compact , great for climbing type tree stands.I also have a Browning that a friend left me.money can't buy that one. it is a great gun,(but on the heavy side and the high $$$$$$ end also)
My wife shoots a Remington 243 in the 742 mod. great gun.not all that exspencive

as was already said ; Savage makes good guns for a good price.depends on how much you wanta spend.

just my thoughts ; go to a good gun shop(One that carries many different mod. of the 243) look around and see which you like the best for your amount of money.
Be sure you get a gun that fits you ; no matter what mod. and calibure you get.