What is the difference between a .243 and 30-30?

[788Ham]

"The 30-30 is a much more suitable for use on larger animals, such as elk or moose as well since you have the use of 170 grain bullets" Well, sounds like there another load of horse apples to haul. "The 30-30 much more suitable for elk or moose?" You'd best be able to jack that Win. quick when you smack a bull moose and not kill him with the first one, same goes with the elk! Not saying it hasn't been done, but you're braver than I am to hunt either one with a small rifle like that. You'd have way more luck with a single shot from the .243 on either of them, the shocking power is more apt to break the neck, if thats where your shooting to hit. I've seen my Pop and brother kill a lot of elk with a .243, most of them single shots too!

 

[wrs840]

So if the .243's best attribute is being "the" lower-recoil compromise for a modern flatter-trajectory/longer range cartridge, why would an adult male want one (unless they're especially recoil-sensitive)?

A 30-30 lever is a cost-effective brush-rifle solution. A .35 Rem lever is a better brush-rifle solution.

A .223 is a cost-effective varmint solution. A 22-250 is a better varmint solution.

.270 or .308 or 30-06 are "common" deer calibers. A .243 does what "better" besides "lower recoil" for "youngsters". It's not cheaper to shoot, so what's the attraction? School me please. What am I missing here?

 

[suzukisam]

o if the .243's best attribute is being "the" lower-recoil compromise for a modern flatter-trajectory/longer range cartridge, why would adult male want one if they're not especially recoil-sensitive?

A 30-30 lever is a cost-effective brush-rifle solution. A .35 Rem lever is a better brush-rifle solution.

A .223 is a cost-effective varmint solution. A 22-250 is a better varmint solution.

.270 or .308 or 30-06 are "common" deer calibers. A .243 does what "better" besides "lower recoil" for "youngsters". It's not cheaper to shoot, so what's the attraction? School me please. What am I missing here?
__________________

well I think this is an over simplification. "better" is a relative term. there are many attributes to the 243 that are great. whether they are better for you or another guy is for you to decide. 6mm is an inherently accurate caliber. Also you do have a light recoil. I'm not recoil sensitive I shoot a 300wby magnum, however that doesn't mean it isn't nice to shoot the 243. also it is economical to shoot. with a fast twist and a heavy bullet you can effectively shoot 1000yrds. I have a video on how to bed and float a factory rifle and a 14 year old kid shoots a little over moa at 1000 yrds with heavy bergers and a factory rem 700 that has been bedded and floated.. with the new bullet designs such as the tsx's(my favorite) you can take large game with low recoil and a very flat accurate bullet. I mean a 6mm leaving at 3400 fps is a very effective tool. I love 7mm mag, 270, 300 wby mag, all cartridges I've used, but I just don't find many things my 243 can't do. so why tear up the meat more and have the heavy recoil, and cost of practice. Again I wanna stress I have no issues with any of these other calibers, actually I love them and use them and own them. 243 is one of my all time favorites. and when I get a chance to talk about all the reasons I like it... it's cool.

 

[wrs840]

^^^^
Your explanation makes sense. I'm still a noob at game hunting. I "get it" about not tearing up meat you'd rather put in the freezer though.

Thanks.

 

[Abel]

The 30-30 has been used to kill moose for as long as its been a cartridge available to the people living in moose country. As per always, shot placement is key. Here are some real world accounts, from the BC hunting forum, from British Columbia hunters on the viability of the 30-30 on our largest deer species, the moose:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=31758

 

[gkdir]

For me the biggest difference is about 400 yds.

 

[lizziedog1]

Here is the perfect 30-30 solution. Etch* the word "magnum" next to 30-30 Win on the rim. Then write the word magnum with a Sharpie on the cartridge box. Now you have extended the versatility of the round. Also make sure to say the word magnum often and loudly when deer hunting. Make sure the deer can here it. Now be careful. All this magnum talk will increase recoil, so make sure you have a firm grip on your rifle when you squeeze the trigger.

*Be careful with the etching. If you use an electric tool, avoid contact with the primer.

 

[suzukisam]

Here is the perfect 30-30 solution. Etch* the word "magnum" next to 30-30 Win on the rim. Then write the word magnum with a Sharpie on the cartridge box

Not sure it would be a good idea.. you might give your 30-30 an inferiority complex. I couldn't hunt with a gun that had low self esteem

 

[Pistol Ranch]

Differences

The 30-30 has probably been used to kill more deer than the .243, .270 and 30-06 combined. That said, it is, at best, a 150 yard cartridge.
The .243 can be effective on deer out to 300 yards in the hands of a good rifleman.
The 30-30 is a handy rifle to keep in a truck/tractor on a ranch for quick shots at varmints.
A scoped .243 makes an excellent varmint rifle for long range shots.
It is my belief that the 30-30 produces more "felt recoil" than an average
(7 lb.) scoped .243 rifle.
The .243 is inherently more accurate than a 30-30.

Opposing views are expected.

P.R.

 

[Abel]

That said, it is, at best, a 150 yard cartridge.

I can live with that. The 30-30 is at its best within 150 yards for sure. The farthest that I've killed a deer is less than that. If you are in a setting with wide open spaces, its not the best choice. I have managed to take nearly 70 whitetails within the confines of this 150 yard parameter, some with a 30-30.

The .243 is inherently more accurate than a 30-30.

No, its not.

 

[suzukisam]

Abel- yes it is... do a little research, according to several industry leaders like Nosler and hornady(the men not the company) 6mm is the most inherently accurate caliber. No one is saying your 30-30 isn't accurate. There is a difference in an accurate gun and an accurate caliber. And as a genereal rule anything in a 6mm,or 6.5 is going to be more forgiving of a poor quality firearms than any others. Not to mention a 30-30 uses a balistically un-efficient. Bullet construction.... it is a more inherently accurate caliber. This is why I like the 6.5 swede so well, again these same guys have praised its inherent accuracy

 

[Abel]

Inherent accuracy is hogwash for people who like to punch little holes in paper out at 300 yards. The Marlin 336 doesn't even come in 243....

*Please don't try to tell me what the word inherently means. It will not have any bearing on the deer rifle that I carry with me this fall. Thanks.

 

[suzukisam]

"The topic is what is the difference between 243 and 30-30"

Not

"What calibers does a 336 marlin come in"

And I agree you should take whatever gun you like into the field.

And I like to punch holes in animals at 300 not paper... but to each his own!

 

[Abel]

"The topic is what is the difference between wre and 30-30"

Sure it was. That was covered ad nauseum in the first two pages of posts. We're just havin' fun with it at this point. Carry on.

 

[Still Shooting]

If I were to Start Over...

If I were to start over as a hunter, and I only had a choice between a .243 and a 30-30, I'd be inclined to go with the .243 as a "first" gun. -But I'm not a beginner, and I started out hunting 'chucks with a Savage 340 in .22 Hornet. I got a Remington 760 in .270 as a high school graduation gift, and as soon as it was acceptable I got rid of it. The gun couldn't group tighter than 4-5" at 50 yards. Overpowered and underaccurate.

I have my Dad's remington Model 14 (.30 Remington) today; he's where he no longer needs it. The gun was bought in 1920 for $12 by my grandfather, who raised and fed 5 kids through the depression. For 2 generations, it was never fired without bringing home venison. Most of my Dad's hunting buddies, the men with whom I learned to hunt, carried 30-30's. They were all good hunters, and all had venison most years. So I will not disparage the 30-30 (or the .30 Rem - same ballistics).

My own 2 go-to guns are my .257 Roberts (Ruger 77) and my maternal granddad's 6.5x55 Swede sporter, now mine. My Roberts has done several whitetails, a muley, and an antelope. One bullet per animal, all DRT.

My young wife had never handled or fired a gun until a year ago. I gave her a Ruger M77 lightweight .243 as a first gun, and she carried it this past fall. She has "eyes" for my Ruger .270 Win. already, and who knows where she'll end up. But she started with the .243, and became very, very accurate with it. She can carry it all day, and she has confidence that she can put the bullet exactly where it has to be to do the job. That counts for a lot. Thus, my opening statement.

 

[lizziedog1]

6mm is the most inherently accurate caliber.

Was this bestowed on the 6mm by the gun gods?

Before I keep reading this thread I better go look for my hip boots and crack a window open.

 

[Pistol Ranch]

Quote:

Was this bestowed on the 6mm by the gun gods?

Before I keep reading this thread I better go look for my hip boots and crack a window open.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and appear a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"...Mark Twain

P.R.

 

[suzukisam]

Was this bestowed on the 6mm by the gun gods?

Before I keep reading this thread I better go look for my hip boots and crack a window open.

ignorance is no excuse to be rude!

 

[rc109a]

All the deer I've seen shot with a .30-30 just folded up too.

I am still trying to figure out how to fold up these deer. Does it make them easier to pack out of the woods? Do you have to shoot them several times to get them backpack size? I am just messing...

 

[gatorjames85]

.270 or .308 or 30-06 are "common" deer calibers. A .243 does what "better" besides "lower recoil" for "youngsters". It's not cheaper to shoot, so what's the attraction? School me please. What am I missing here?

It has been my experience that the .243 causes more explosive wound channels on impact than larger, slower rounds like .308 or 30-06. This makes it a great round for thin-skinned animals like deer. It is also flatter shooting than the non-magnum .30 rounds. FWIW, when I went hunting out in west Texas , all the guides said that they used .243's for deer.

 

[D*N*R*]

Entertaining thread. I cant think of two more different rounds to compair(besides low recoil)I hunt -some times- with a 30 30 because its there. Witch is the only reason there are 30 30s.((If 30 30s never existed before and were introduced today people would ask ??Is this some kind of ar round?? because its ballistics arent ideal for hunting. Sorry 30 30 diehards -- nothing wrong with it inside 100yrds. My opinion is if your a 150yrd hunter why not have a 300yrd gun - 150 is covered and then some.