30 30 vs, 243

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JeepKuntry

JeepKuntry

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Jan 20, 2004
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Clinton, TN
I have a 30 30 that I rarely shoot. Looking for a gun that doesn't really kick. Anybody have experience with a younger child using a 30 30? Is it to much? Do they offer the reduced recoil ammo because I can't find it online.
 
30-30 is great for kids in my opinion, they do not kick enough for them to notice when hunting, if you have a 30-30 and a 243 I wouldn't split hairs over taking either one for any kid. my kids use both and have no complaints with either one
 
The 150 grain bullets in the 30/30 will kick slightly less than the 170 grainers. As was said its an awesome cartridge for all kids ages 7 thru 70.

I'm not sure about reduced recoil loads for it. The kick is so mild with 150 grain bullets I'd bet you'll be fine.
 
Add a 7mm08 shooting 120 grain bullets to the zero recoil list and great for all. Personally I have shot my 243 with 90, 95, and 105 grain rounds and recoil is negligible. My twins were shooting the 243 at age 10 with no issues at all.
 
I may be wrong, but I think Carleigh will be a bit above average is size. At 2 1/2 she's 40" tall and 44lbs. Just deciding on what gun will work for her. Hope to have her in the woods and shooting her rifle by 5.
 
I started my daughter on a Ruger 10/22 and then eased her into my 22/250. She is seven and shoots the daylights out of it. She says she wants one of my 30/30's in a couple of years.
 
Yes they offer a managed recoil for the 30-30. It uses a 125 grain bullet. Most places are out of stock right now. I have shot it and it doesn't kick bad at all. It also has almost the exact same POA with a gun sighted in with 150 grain powerpoints at 100 yards. Google "30-30 reduced recoil" and that should get you started.
 
I saw a list once of the lowest recoil deer cartridges, 30-30 was the lowest recoil. My kids used a .243 with no problem, although I reloaded my own using 90% of max load.
 
More I've thought about it, the 30-30 might also work a bit better because it's more compact than a .243. Might be easier for them to hold, balance, and shoot.
 
the Rossi 243 is close 1/2 as lite as the marlin more than likely ,a reduced 08 load isn't as powerful as a 243 with less penetration .id pick the 243 over 3030 due to less recoil also.I know gun weights affect recoil but 4-5 lbs more kick to a small kid means a lot also. Not all kids can take the same kick. My grandson hates loud noises so hearing protection is a must for him.
 
Lots of 30-30 lovers on here. I'm not one of them. I'd get a CVA Scout in either 243 or 7-08. About the price of an H&R Handi-rifle and a lot better gun.

My granddaughter used a Ruger M77 Compact (5.5 lbs without scope) in 243 for her first two deer, then graduated to the same model gun in 260 REM.

I won't give a kid a gun I wouldn't use myself, and I've had some bad experiences with a 30-30 years ago. The half dozen or so deer we've shot with the 243 since we got it three years ago all either DRT or fell within 50 yards.

This is Valerie's first ever 5 shots with a centerfire rifle, the 243 with 80 grain bullets. Target was 50 yards. She was 11 at the time. By hunting season I bumped up the powder charge to get 2900 fps.

 
The big issue here isn't so much the amount of recoil but the size of the gun if you are trying to get a 5 or 6 year old outfitted. You are going to have to get a youth stock for whatever you choose and the stock on the full sized Marlin is going to be way too long for her to shoulder. I'm in the same boat and at the present time looking towards a youth Handi-Rifle in 44 Magnum. You get the short stock and smaller size reciever that's easier for a kid to carry. Since I reload, the 44 Magnum offers a huge variation from 800 ft-sec loads to full house magnums. I already have cases, dies, bullet molds, etc for the cartridge also.

I may change my mind a dozen more times though before I actually buy something.
 
Hunter 257W said:
The big issue here isn't so much the amount of recoil but the size of the gun if you are trying to get a 5 or 6 year old outfitted. You are going to have to get a youth stock for whatever you choose and the stock on the full sized Marlin is going to be way too long for her to shoulder. I'm in the same boat and at the present time looking towards a youth Handi-Rifle in 44 Magnum. You get the short stock and smaller size reciever that's easier for a kid to carry. Since I reload, the 44 Magnum offers a huge variation from 800 ft-sec loads to full house magnums. I already have cases, dies, bullet molds, etc for the cartridge also.



I may change my mind a dozen more times though before I actually buy something.
Click to expand...

Good point. My Uncle made a short butt stock on an 1894 44 mag for his kids
and later put the original back on as they grew. One cousin still uses that rifle and his kids have commandeered it now.
 
I grew up on a .243 and still hunt with one from time to time. I have shot many 30-30's from Marlin, Mossberg, and Winchester and IMO the 30-30 has a lot more felt recoil. Just my opinion but I remember getting knocked pretty good by a 30-30 when I was about 12 years old.
 
A lot of the recoil has to do with the butt pad.
Had an 81 model marlin 336 30-30 that had the OE hard plastic butt pad. If i ran 10 rounds through it my shoulder would be a little sore the next day. I now have an H&R single shot 30-30 which weighs less than the marlin, the H&R has a nice squishy butt pad and the recoil is nothing.
 

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