Which caliber ?

[Country Boy]

Well it's come down to a 30-30 or .243 which one ? I want something that will reach out for a coyote and be adequate for deer. Has anyone had experience with the .30-30 ? I know it will take deer but what is the pratical range for coyotes and accuracy. I'm going to place an order Thursday and I'm still in a quandry as to which rifle and caliber to get.

[Mike38]

Coyotes and deer? I’d say go with the .243. As far as I’m concerned, a .30/30 in the hands of an average shooter has a max range of about 150 yards. A .243 in the hands of an average shooter would be good to about 300 yards. As long as the shooter has a basic knowledge of ballistics. For someone that knows little to nothing about ballistics, you could cut those max ranges in half.

I have a friend that has an extremely accurate Ruger bolt action in .243. I’ve seen him crumple prong horns at 400 yards with it. Also, it’s devastating on coyotes even beyond that distance. But he is an above average shooter. You’ll never get performance like that out of a .30/30.

Now if your longest shot at both subject animals is 100 yards, the .30/30 would be the route to take.

[BBF]

There are more firearm types available in .243 Win then the 30-30.
Since you are considering the 30-30, free recoil isn't an issue with you. Perhaps you could consider something larger then a .243 Win and still have acceptable free recoil with a 25, 6,5 or even 7mm bore.
 
There are many posts on this Site that discuss./debate the merits of using the .243 Win on deer.

[cjrjck]

Two of the best choices for Handi Rifles. I have two of each at this moment. If you handload, you can make the 30-30 into a varmint rifle, otherwise the 243 is more versatile as a dual purpose cartridge. Recoil of the two are about the same and very mild. I load 130 grain Barnes TTSX at 2400 fps in the 30-30 and 85 grain TSX in the 243 at 3150 fps. In the last two years or so I have shot 2 deer and 4 pigs with them and have yet to recover a bullet.

[petemi]

If I were to have only one, it would be a .308.  Without a doubt, it'll do more than either the .243 or the .30-30.  If ya really want to know my preference, it would be the .45-70.   It'll do more at greater distance than the others.  You've got to sit down and learn it, and best to reload for it.  If you're shooting coyotes for the pelt, forget it.  You'd have to sell it in two halves.

I'm not a great fan of 6mms (.243s).  To me they are a nowhere caliber.  Too big for varmints and too small for big game.  I traded a 6mm for a .308 years ago and never looked back.  The .308 has taken more deer than any other rifle I own, plus coyote, fox and woodchucks at 300 yards +. 

I've killed quite a few deer with my 6mm., but the .308 kills them deader, quicker, and the .45-70 more quicker and more deader.

Pete

[thejanitor]

My 30-30 handi with a 130 gr spitzer was a deer killer last fall at 178 yds. if you learn the gun it can do a lot of what you want. The 30-30 handi is one of the most accurate if you read the forums here. Close up brushy hunting use a traditional flat nosed 30-30 bullet, but you can use the gun to its full potential if you reload different bullets for different applications.
Just watch the "for sale" classifieds here, you will see a lot more .243 barrels for sale than 30-30
the 30-30 in my opinion seems more handi friendly. Many here love the .243, and many have both. But in the past threads it seems people are happier with the out of the box performace with a handi 30-30 than a handi .243.  Sorry if I stepped on any 6mm toes there but if you read past posts I think it appears to be true.
But either caliber would do just fine, I know a guy who uses his .243 for coyote and also used it for caribou..... Just get used to the gun you get and it should treat you right.
thejanitor

[bigbird09]

Personally, if you in a wooded area where range is limited,  even if you could get out to 150-200 yrds on occasion I would say the 30-30.  If you want something to get out farther, I would look to something bigger,  my personal choice would be a 7mm-08 or even the venerable '06.

[Airsporter]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but it seems a lot of people have issues with .243 Handi's.  Seems they either shoot fine or won't shoot at all.  I have a friend who bought an Ultra as a combo deer/varmint rifle.  He is an experienced shooter/handloader.  He went through innumerable handloads and replaced the scope three times (assuming the scope might be the problem) - all to no avail.  Best case, it would do about 2-3 MOA.  'Okay' for deer but not for varmints.  Needless to say, he finally sold it and bought an Encore in 7mm-08.

[gendoc]

well, it really don't matter what brand rifle ya got... it mostly matters on howya apply it 
so ya say .243.... i gotta browning a-bolt medalion in 243 and she'sa shooter you bet !!!
but for its intent only. you put that bullet wer it counts... and u'll be all right wif either
you have spoken bout. havya thought bout wide'ning your choices ?
also i gotta old marlin lever in 30/30 thats taken anathang from crickets ta shineola
in tha last 55 years of its life, wif me behind tha wheel

[jabey9210]

since there's alot of folks who are not a fan of the .243 I'll chip in on the good side for ya I have a .243 ultra varmint.  It slings 55gr nosler ct's at just over 3900 fps and still holds just under moa at 100 yrds sighted in at 2 inches high at 100 it is only 2.5 inches low at 350 yrds and only 6.5 inches low at 400 yrds so it makes for one hell of a coyote gun.  And on the other side my wife has killed two mule deer and an elk with a 243  all of which were between 150 and 200 yards.  So would it be my first choice for big game absolutely not.  But is it capable absolutely with good shot placement.  My buddies mom killed her moose with a 243 so it can definitely get the job done. I'm pro .243 all the way.

[gcrank1]

I know you didnt ask, but how about the 270? Factory ammo everywhere and it will do both varmints and deer (or more).
I am a 30-30 fan, but, to get the longer range performance you need to handload spitzers of lighter than the factory 150/170 FN offerings.
The 243 has factory ready to rock, and handloads probably will only duplicate factory, but a bit light on the heavy end for my tastes.

[manatee1947]

I have shot both, and both do quite well, it is simply a question of the primary usage- if it is primarily for coyotes and varmint, the 243, if primarily deer, with an occasional shot at a coyote or woodchuck, the 30/30 will be best. I shoot both that will do 1 1/4 at 100yds or better. The only difference is do you want a bullet weight range from 58-105 gr or 110-170 ??

[Tencubed]

Country Boy you ask about two specific calibers.  You've received a variety of opinions about these two and a number of others but I'm going to figure you have investigated to the point you just want an answer to your question.

I don't have a Handy in either calibre but have other rifles in each.  It is going to come down to personal preference IMO.  Comment has been made about some calibers killing deader, I thought dead was dead, and also about the 6MM calibre being unsuitable for much of anything.  Likewise the venerable 30-30 has been portrayed as being unsuitable for any use beyond 150 yards or so.

I'm going to be a tough sell on either of these points.  The six will reach out and kill elk well beyond 300 yards.  The 30-30 is deadly at well beyond 200.  I know this for a fact from personal experience and from information related by nimrods I know and trust. 

When I hear people making blanket statements about ranges it tends to irritate.  If a person is not comfortable shooting anything but the biggest cannon they can pack and absolutely have to be able to hold with no adjustment for wind or range then that's their choice.  Windage and elevation is a learned skill that must be practiced to be perfected.  If a person has not the time to learn these skills then yes, stay with what they are comfortable with.  I learned in a different time and actually carried a Model 94 in 25-35 in the scabbard for many years.  A round now considered to be anemic and unfit for any but the smallest of game at hair burning ranges.  That rifle served well and still gets shot quite a lot.

What it comes down to is what you want to shoot.  Either rifle will have limitations and each advantages.  The important thing is to know the caliber and what the limitations, in your hands, are of the calibre you select.  Recoil of each will be similar and dependent on the load being used.  Muzzle blast is sharper with the 6MM and can be objectionable without muffs.  The really important thing is to start on a range with a bench to become comfortable with the individual rifles capabilities.  Practice from the basic field positions and then practice a lot in open field conditions.  Without practice you will, in all but very few cases, not be proficient in this learned skill.  Any rifle is only as good as the person shooting it and the point of impact of a properly designed bullet.

If you plan on hand loading either cartridge is easy to work with.  I'd personally prefer the 30-30 in this area as it's easier to use with cast bullets as well as having a wide range of jacketed bullets available.  I also find I very seldom have to trim the 30-30 where the 243 has to be watched in this area.

I'd add one more comment.  Since you have this question it's apparent to me you need to buy one of each in order to decide which is best for your usage.

Just my opinions stated here but based on a tad of experience.

Mike

[keith44]

Just another opinion, but consider this a basic ditto to reply #3

If you want the challange of making the 30-30 into something it was never intended to be then go for that one. In an older Marlin 336 I loaded Sierra 125 gr flat point hollow points and turned that rifle into an all around woods rifle for coyotes out to 175 yards, and deer out to 125 yards.  Beyond that the bullet just would not carry enough energy.  The low weight, low starting velocity, and flat point just kept the round a close range proposition. So with limits, the 30-30 can do the job. 

I have never worked with a .243, but based on what I was able to do with a .25'06 I would guess 200 yards out of the box with factory ammo.