well, i'm in the market for a rifle. every year the rifle area for deer is expanded closer and closer to us and i think soon we will be in it. and i also think it would be interesting to shoot.
so which do you guys think .30-30 or .30-06, or something completely else, help me out

It really depends on the terrian you're hunting. Both mentioned are great calibers for deer. Don't rule out the 308 either. Also alot of the 7mm cartridges are great for whitetail. 7mmx57, 7mm-08.
Would you be using a rifle for anything other than whitetails?

i hunt mostly field edges or fairly open hardwoods, other than whitetails, maybe the ocassional coyote

It will depend soley on the kind of ground you hunt. Both guns are great and very capable. However, the 30-06 will give you distance over the 30-30. The 30-30 is an excelent choice when hunting dense timber and it will flat out knock a deer down. But anything past 100-150 yards and your not going to be very accurate and you will start to lose some of the knock down power. On the other hand a 30-06 is a work horse of a rifle. It can be accurate depending on the shooter out to 300 yards. Its a very powerfull rifle to say the least and be prepared for a substantial kick when practicing with one. If I could only have one, it would be the 30-06. Thats what I have, a Ruger M77 Mark II. Its a great shooter and it will always be my deer rifle when I am hunting fields and pastures. But I am kind of thinking about a 30-30 myself or a slug gun for when I am down in the timber.

Having had both, I would go for the '06. There are more loaded options on the market and more reloading components on the market for the '06 than just about ny other chambering out there.

While the '06 may be a little heavy (over kill) for varments, there are loadings. It is well proven on sheep, goats, hogs, antelope and deer. With correct projectiles, it may be used for the largest North American game under the right set of circumstances. The 30-30 is strictly limited (in range and projectile selection) because of the flat nosed bullets required in a tubular magazine and small case capacity. Hornady has developed a polymer pointed spitzer that helps but still you have that small case.

The '06 is no "Stopper of Dangerous Game Charges" but will handily dispatch most any critter with a well placed, properly constructed projectile.

All that said, you will probably find one weight bullet the '06 "likes" and that's what you'll use on everything from woodchucks to deer. You should never even think about elk with the 30-30.

well, you can get managed recoil ammo for an .30-06 that will bring it down close to .30-30 power levels. you can also get heavy magnum .30-06 factory ammo that is the equivalent of some lower level 300 win mag loadings. when you ask the question ".30-06 or (fill in pretty much any caliber here)" overall, if you only use practicality as a litmus test, you'll end up choosing a .30-06, imo.

but don't underestimate the 30-30. deer fall over very dead in front of it. my girlfriend has a marlin, that is a VERY accurate gun. and while it is true, your range is limited, 150 yards still covers most any hunting situation for deer, in the woods anyway.

bottom line, as far as power levels go, you can get the 06 and have a .30-30 "like" power level any time you want it, with factory ammo no less. on the other hand, you will never have a 30-30 load that approaches a 300 win mag load. ok, you may hand load one, but if you live shooting it the first time after your gun explodes, you won't do it twice.

i like both. i like the 243 win too it does less damage to the meat.

Yeah..... I was going to mention a .243 but you beat me too it! Very flat shooting! I am torn between which one to use this upcoming weekend for my deer hunt!

for a good all a round gun, I would go with the 30-06, it will handle any game animal in north america.

Kevin

As to the question of the 243...flat shooting but what a tiny projectile you have, Granny. Not a whole lot of energy to start or finish with at 300 yards.
Thin skinned small "big game" i.e. deer/antelope

Remeber, it's not enough to hit them. You want complete penetration without explosion.

I have both a 30-30 marlin and a Remington 30-06 I would go with the 06. If the 30-30
is a lever action it can jam if you don't cycle your rounds fast enough. The 30-30 was my first high power rifle and did cost me a nice buck do to jamming and when it does jam it takes a while to clear the problem go with the 06 you can find some at a reasonable price take a look at some Remington

770 with scope Very good rifle for the price some times you can find it at wal mart.

With a 06 you can hunt all north American game legally you can hunt elk in New Mexico with a .243 but i wouldn't recommend it.

There are so many calibers to choose from. With the 2 you have listed I think the 30-06 would suit your hunting application. However, my suggestion go out and shop around see what rifle you like how it feels, weight, and reputation are very important. Don't be afraid of buying used either. You should be able to tell quickly if it was taken care of. Good luck!

Ive shot alot of guns and have killed a few with alot of different calibers. Each time I find myself trying to pull myself away from the .30-06 its a great all around gun. Deer dont stand a chance and it gives you options for other options such as hogs,elk,antelope,muledeer. I like the .30-30 but its limited in its capabilities.

The 06 would be my choice as well. I think it is the most versitile round in all the land. Also, if you like lower recoil guns, the 308 would be a great choice. Just about as much power as the 06, with less recoil.

For deer and Yotes, I would look hard at the .260rem and the .243.

there are two ways we can go on this topic

No not hard or easy but.


Ballistics or Shooters prefrence

A 30-30 at the muzzle will push a 150gr bullet @ 2400fps with 1900ft/lbs

A 30-06 at the muzzle will push a 150gr bullet @ 2900fps with 2800ft/lbs

The 30-06 will hold better over long range, but both will level deer the same under 100yds
More deer and elk have died by the old 30-30 than any other cartrage.

A 308 Winchester is near the 30-06 end of those two.

With a 150gr at the muzzle gets you 2800fps and 2650ft/lbs.

Those are just 3 of many possible canidates.

All three all great deer killers plainly said, just what numbers do you like?

Then Shooters Preferance
This is pretty self explanitory.
Go find some peolpe willing to let you shoot their gun a couple times.
Find a gun that you like the fit of, you cant hit something if your not comfortable with the gun.

Yeah I know, a long answer but I had to do something to get my mind off my english essay.

Whatever way you go I hope you like your new tool!

Jared

I also love a good 243 Win. great deer round that most over look for its small caliber. But if it's going to be just a deer and occational yote gun a 243 is near the top of the class in my book.



I also love a good 243 Win. great deer round that most over look for its small caliber. But if it's going to be just a deer and occational yote gun a 243 is near the top of the class in my book.

Between the 30-30 and the 30-06 for all around with the most range of versatility from Deer to Elk. I have several calibers myself from Remington 7 mm Rem Mag to 243 Win. for deer and other game. But if you want an all around rifle you can not go wrong with the 30-06. You can even get lighter bullets for coyote hunting if you are into the varmint thing as some of us are. Nothing wrong with the 30-30 for shorter ranges on deer or in thick cover by my suggestion is the 30-06. You can also get ammunition anywhere including Wal-Mart and even small local hardware stores throughout the country.

AR

I would go with the 30-06. You should also think about a .270 or 25-06.