deer hunting 6mm rem or scoped 30-30?

[rifleman2008]

Hey all, I'm giong deer hunting and am debating whether or not to use a scoped 6mm rem w/100 gr partitions or a scoped 30-30 with any of the available ammunition for shot expectancies of 0-130 yards.  On paper the 6mm looks good but I want to hear what these two rounds do to deer on good and marginal shots.....please help!

[Robert Rowland]

Personally, I would use the .30.30
If your maximum shot is going to be 130 yards, the .30.30 will do a better job. Use the 180 grain Rem. Core Loct. With your maximum range at 130, I would sight in to hit dead-on at 100 yards and not worry about changing my sight picture for any range you will encounter.

[paulie]

Ya know Rifleman, (just a thought) you should look into Hordady's 'leverevolution' ammo. They offer a 30-30 with a 160 grn, www.cabelas.com. $21 a box.   I dont know a lot about it, but from what I have heard, its worth a look!! 

[federali]

That a deer may actually feel the difference between a .30-30 or a 6mm Rem. is highly questionable. I've taken a bunch of deer with a .243, whose muzzle velocity averages 100FPS less than comparable loads in a 6mm. I've had nothing but instant one-shot kills using Sierra 100 grain bullets.

The 30-30 (a Marlin?) is handier for woods hunting. The 6mm has the reach should you be faced with a long shot as sometimes happens in deer country.

[69Viking]

I will second the use of a 30-30 and Hornaday's LeveRevolution 160 gr. shells.  I have a Marlin 30-30 and shot a six point buck at 175 yards, he dropped in his tracks without taking a single step, I was shocked.  I later read the LeveRevolution gives the 30-30 an effective range of 300 yards, pretty amazing.  I previously used the Remington Core Loct but will never go back after taking that buck at 175 yards with the LeveRevolution. 

[shaman]

Either will do nicely.  The range you specified is fine for both rounds.  If I was expecting to do the majority of my work on the near end of that 0-130 range (treestand in the woods), I would be choosing the 30-30.  At the far end (overlooking an open field), I would be picking the 6mm.

I currently shoot the 30-30, handloaded with Winchester PP 150 grain.  I have not had any shots out past 70 yards with this bullet, but the damage I have seen rivals my other .308 rifles at similar distances.

In factory ammunition, most of my in-the-know friends recommend the 170 grain Remington Hollow Point. I did some quick peeking at the Remington site just now; it confirmed what I was thinking:   30-30 is generally a 150 yard round; the 6mm is better out beyond that.

As to the Lever-Whats-its, all I can say is that some folks have had wonderful results and some not so wonderful.  Either your rifle will group them well or not. If it does, you may be able to extend your range considerably with your 30-30.  However, you've said your operating range does not exceed 130 yards. In this case, the standard 150 grain and 170 grain factory loads are just fine. A rifle that does more at 300 yards usually does not have additional benefit at 30 yards.

Marginal shots?  Neither one of these rounds is magic. The best thing I can tell you is don't take marginal shots.  Neither of these rifles will improve a bad situation. I am a big proponent of double-lunging the critter and hoping to take off the top of the heart in the process.  Neither round can be counted on to do that by way of the tail.

[ranwin33]

They will both do the job.  Go with whichever one you shoot better and you are most comfortable with.

[PrairieShadow]

30-30 for inside of 130 for sure.

[yellowtail3]

ORIGINAL: rifleman2008
On paper the 6mm looks good but I want to hear what these two rounds do to deer on good and marginal shots.....please help!

Neither give guarantees with marginal shots. But between the two, I'd opt for 30-30. Cheaper ammo, better performance on deer, comes in much classier firearms (336 & Model 94). Unless you're regularly shooting past 200 yards, the 30-30 is sweet. And if you're regularly shooting deer past 200 yards, there are much better choices than .243

[hunter480]

ORIGINAL: yellowtail3

ORIGINAL: rifleman2008
On paper the 6mm looks good but I want to hear what these two rounds do to deer on good and marginal shots.....please help!

Neither give guarantees with marginal shots. But between the two, I'd opt for 30-30. Cheaper ammo, better performance on deer, comes in much classier firearms (336 & Model 94). Unless you're regularly shooting past 200 yards, the 30-30 is sweet. And if you're regularly shooting deer past 200 yards, there are much better choices than .243

 
If you want guarantees, you`d be best served with a past time other than hunting.
 
Beyond that, the 30-30 sounds like just the ticket here.