Phil from Maine

It would mostly depend on how much open country you would be hunting.. If you mostly have long shots the 243 would be my pick..
If you have mostly close shots the 30-30 would be my pick, especially if there is alot of thick brush. The 30-30 is shorter and easy to manuver in those types of conditions. My choice in 30-30s would be a Marlin as well.

cjohnson3006

Do you prefer lever or bolt? I would much rather have a .243 over a 30/30, butI like bolt actions over lever.

Rebel Hog

I have 2 .30-30,s and a .243......Depends where I'll be going to hunt.....heavy Palmettos, .30-30...... Savannahs and Power Lines and Piney Woods,.243...

RackLuster

.243 for sure. i have two rifles to my name - a marlin .30-30 and a savage .243. the 243 is more accurate at short range, long range, and everywhere in between.

Paul L Mohr

.243 for me, it will do everything a 30-30 will do at close range and will work even better at longer ranges. And you can use it for a varmint gun as well. The key is using the correct bullet for the job.

Paul

zrexpilot

But the .30-30 tamed the west. LOL
I like a 30-30 for close range shooting, I dont currently own one right now but as a kid a killed a lot of game with one.
30-30 for close range .243 for longer range.
I dont care what yall say about the Marlin vs Winchester. If I were to buy another 30-30 it would be the Win model 94. Its about heritage.
The Win. has history, its a classic. Like my Fred Bear bow, when I hunt with it Ol' Fred Bears spirit is with me, and it lives on.

nralover

Let me say this. In the business of firearms and ammunition, it doesn't take long for something to fade out if it doesn't do something innovative, or doesn'timprove onan existing design.Both of these calibers have been around for a long time for a reason, that being that they both have ample killing power on medium size game. Assuming that most shots are made at 100 yards or less, either one of these will bring home venison. Both can be had in lightweight rifles that generate very little recoil. Light recoil is conducive to good shot placement which is the essence of taking game in the first place. Though the .243 shoots flatter, the .30-30 is slinging a little more lead down at the game. Ammo is affordable, especially for the .30-30 and these are calibers that are readilly available at most places that you'd find guns and the like. I really don't think you'd do badly with either one. Good luck with your decision

RWK

243 or 260 in a savage they shoot great out of the box. Rich

nralover

Savage makes a .260??? I had no clue- now that would be a flat shooting, easy on the shoulder deer rifle with power to spare...

robbcayman

+1000

If you are hunting open fields I would scope a .243. However, if you hunt thick brush go with the marlin 30-30.