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Offline tony212

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Big decision
« on: March 12, 2008, 01:15:13 PM »
   I promised my nephew, who is 11 years old, I would buy him a .30-30 Handi rifle this year.  I ordered one about 5 weeks ago and it is still on back order.  Today I noticed the dealer who ordered it for me has a used .243 Handi with a Simmons scope on it.  Now the big questions is , wait for the .30-30, or go for the .243.
   Personally I think the .30-30 is a tad better cartridge for the type of deer hunting we do, close range, New England. On the other hand, he would be set for whitetails and varmints with just the one barrel in .243, no adding a varmint barrel later.  But then again the .30-30 would be brand new. There is nothing like having your first rifle be brand new.  But then the .243 has a scope already on it and is $190.00 as opposed to $240.00 for the .30-30 without a scope.  Also in the .243's favor thre would be no more waiting.  But I have read here many times the .30-30 is one of the Handis with the least problems and the .243 is one of the ones with the most. I reload for both calibers so ammo isn't a problem. 
   Damn buying a rifle can be hard work..... I think I'm still leaning toward the .30-30, any advise?
Thanks;
Tony212
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Offline Bob_VT

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2008, 01:22:34 PM »
243 is a very very popular deer caliber here in VT.  If it's in good shape .... go for it.  I think it will serve better as a beginning rifle.  Me.... I would opt for the 243
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Offline wsjones

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2008, 01:28:06 PM »
Having started with a 30-30 (a Winchester 94) at just about that age, I'd suggest going with the 243 simply because it'll be easier for him to learn to shoot well and not get flinchy.  And more fun too, if he's not worrying about recoil.  You (or he) can then start saving up for the next step up to whatever.  I know I wanted to shoot my 30-30 well so badly but never did until I was much older and had matured and moved on to various other deer rifles, mostly because it sure seemed to kick me when I was young.

A 243 with premium bullets is a fine deer rifle.  I honestly don't recommend standard bullets because I've had and seen erratic bullet performance on deer.  But a Partition or similar takes it to a whole other level.

Have fun with your choice!  -WSJones
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Offline NAM70

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2008, 02:12:43 PM »
I think the only thing that really matters in a good woods rifle is something that is fairly short and fast handling. Years ago I hunted deer in northern Minnesota with a 243. In most areas you couldn't see probably more than 40-50 yds. At those ranges a 243 will do just fine. I shot the biggest deer that I'll probably ever shoot with that rifle and it left a bllod trail a blind man could follow. I was using Remington factory 100 grain loads. Plus a 243 can be shot all day long without any recoil problems. Never shot a 30-30 tho and have always wanted a Winchester 94. There's the answer! Get him a 94. ;)
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Offline chutesnreloads

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2008, 02:41:43 PM »
Got my 10 year old grandson the 20" barreled .243.Guess I got lucky because it's a shooter.The deer here aren't all that big so not worried about the small size.Loaded some 100 grain cor-lokt on top of 18 grains of IMR 4198 for him to practice with.Very little recoil and they group as well as the factory ammo although about 6" low at 100 yards.Was confident he could kill deer with the factory loads.He never got a shot but can't wait 'til next year.Get the .243 and start shooting. 
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Offline dw06

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2008, 02:59:15 PM »
Get both,there I gave you the "quick" answer  :D Since you load for both you could get the 243 now, and wait on the 30-30 since its on back order. Just don't tell the nephew and suprise him with it later.Oh and you get to work up loads for both!! ;)
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2008, 03:12:08 PM »
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Offline petemi

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2008, 03:49:48 PM »
I've had a '94 and have two 336s in .30-30.  I have had a Rem. model 7 in 6mm. and have now a Ruger M77 MKII .308.  The Marlins sit, waiting for nostalgia time, to be used.  Trading in the Model 7 for the Ruger was the best thing I ever did.  The Remington quality doesn't even come close.  That's not the point.  The fact is, the .308 Ruger kicks about the same as the 6mm, and LESS than my .30-30s.  I guess I'd go for a Handi .308 and do it all.  If the guy in the drivers seat does his job, they make clean kills...there, on the spot.  A .243 is an excellent rifle for an experienced hunter, but I wouldn't want to start a kid out with one.  I wouldn't want my kid running around he woods crying because he wounded a deer on his first hunt.  I know I'll catch flak over this, but I've got 12 out of a dozen DEAD deer with my .308.......my other rifles can't say that.  I've had to track a few.  Do a Handi .308
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2008, 05:38:58 PM »
2006 season:  I had a TC Contender set up in 6.8 Remington for my 10 year old boys first deer hunt with a gun, then I ran across a youth model H & R in 243 at a good price and bought it.
season 1  2006---140yd 1 shot 8pt buck!   season 2  2007----70yd 1 shot 76lb. doe! Both deer dropped in their tracks! I use a Winchester 100 grain POWER POINT PLUS in the black box which is no longer loaded but I have a fair amount of it. The gun loves it. 3/4 to 1 inch at a 100yd with a SIMMONS 2.8 to 10 old style AETEC scope if you do your part.  BUY the 243 and try not to grin as much as he does when the first kill comes along!!!!!


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Offline FW Conch

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2008, 09:48:20 AM »
   
    ::)  At  $190  "DON'T"  let the 243 get away !!!   ;)   Jim
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Offline oneshotonekill

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2008, 11:43:02 AM »
Tough choice.  You already pointed out the 30-30 is one of the least problematic and the 243 is one of the most problematic calibers in the Handi's.  The price difference and getting it right now are good considerations but the thing that would probably make my mind up is the production date on the used 243.  If new enough to qualify for high pressure barrels through the barrel accessory program I'd probably take my chances with the 243.  That way you can always send in for additional barrels, you save some money up front, and with H&R having good customer service you could probably get any issues you run into worked out for little or no cost.  The money you save on the used vs new and scope would probably cover the cost of a 30-30 barrel if you decided later to switch to a 30-30 (or any caliber for that matter).
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Offline Bob_VT

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2008, 01:11:42 PM »
Looks like most everyone is for the 243!!  Need help with any other decisions??
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Offline tony212

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2008, 01:54:07 PM »
I called the dealer today and my nephew and I are going to his shop tomorrow to look at the .243.  He said it was like new, so looks like we will probably be getting a .243.  Thanks for the help
Tony212
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2008, 02:42:59 PM »
Wait for the .30-30.  The .243 barrels are nothing but trouble.
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2008, 05:38:30 PM »
Not all 243s - check out my last post



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That my two young sons may never have to know the horrors of war. 

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Offline njanear

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #15 on: March 15, 2008, 04:27:52 AM »
One thing that I have noted here is that you always see .243 barrels coming up for sale (and they generally hang around for a while), but rarely see the .30/30 barrels come up for sale (and when they do, they disappear quickly).  I can't say why that is - it's just an observation I've made. 

A few months back, I was debating the same thing for my 8YO and it came down to these two cartridges - fortunately I was able to snag a like-new .30/30 barrel for him, as I still generally subscribe to the 'new shooter needs a bigger hole' theory in relationship to deer.  :D  Maybe one day I'll pick up the .243, but between the .204, .280, and .30/30, my Handis currently have all of my hunting needs covered.  PS:  Before someone says that I really need the .45/70 - I already have a T/C Contender and Marlin M1895G for that fine cartridge.  8)
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Offline fanner50

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #16 on: March 15, 2008, 08:02:47 AM »
Buy that .243 if it's nice. It will be new to him and take the $$ ya save and get him a nice sling with his name on it and maybe his own cleaning kit and a neoprene shell holder in camo. On my sons rifle I had a local guy inscribe on the barrel "Jake-Huntin Buds Forever - Dad" He shows it to everyone. Take this opportunity to be a very special Uncle. JMHO - F50 aka "Dad"
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Offline tony212

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Re: Big decision
« Reply #17 on: March 15, 2008, 01:08:05 PM »
 I took a close look at the .243 today and saw something I have never seen before.  About an inch down from the muzzle there was a grove cut into the barrel that went completely around it.  It almost looked like someone took a pipe cutter and ran it around the barrel. Does anyone know why this would be there?  After seeing that I was kind of turned off to the gun.  At this point I think I'll give the .30-30 a couple of more weeks. There is still a lot of snow here and we wouldn't be able to get to the range for at least another month anyway.
Thanks;
Tony212
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