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Rifle · SAAMI

.243 Winchester

.243 Win6x52mm

Dual-purpose cartridge.

Caliber
0.243″ · 6.172 mm
Introduced
1955
Case
Rimless
Parent
.308 Winchester
Primary use
Varmint, Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,900–3,850 fps
Energy1,400–2,000 ft·lb
Typical grains80 · 95 · 100 gr
Identity
Introduced
1955
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Abundant
Build
Case capacity
54.8 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:9 to 1:10
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
60,000 psi
Eff. range
400 yd
Recoil
8–12 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Match ELD-M 108 gr, 2,960 fps, BC 0.276 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd29592100-1.5″—
100 yd279118680.0″0.0
200 yd26271654-2.9″-1.4
300 yd24671460-11.0″-3.5
400 yd23141283-24.7″-5.9
500 yd21651124-44.9″-8.6
600 yd2022981-72.5″-11.5
700 yd1883850-108.7″-14.8
800 yd1748733-154.7″-18.5

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Precision Hunter ELD-X97 gr · ELD-X · 3,200 fps · BC 0.274 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetHornady Match ELD-M108 gr · ELD-M · 2,960 fps · BC 0.276 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .243 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀6.170.243✓
Neck ⌀7.010.276✓
Shoulder ⌀11.530.454✓
Shoulder angle20°—✓
Base ⌀11.960.471✓
Rim ⌀12.010.473✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.370.054✓
Neck length6.110.241≈
Case length51.942.045✓
Overall length68.832.710✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .243 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 563 active loads across 40 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 572 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
HornadySuperformance Varmint58V-MAX3,9251,9840.265 G1
HornadySuperformance Varmint V-MAX58V-MAX3,9251,9840.265 G1
RemingtonPremier AccuTip-V V-MAX58AccuTip-V3,7501,8110.265 G1
HornadyVarmint Express V-MAX58V-MAX3,7501,8110.265 G1
NormaTipStrike70Tipstrike Polymer Tip3,4451,8440.278 G1
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X80ELD-X3,4252,0830.228 G7
HornadyVarmint Express V-MAX75V-MAX3,4001,9250.310 G1
RemingtonCore-Lokt PSP80Core-Lokt PSP3,3501,9930.295 G1
RemingtonHog Hammer TTSX75TTSX BT3,3501,8690.310 G1
WinchesterSuper-X Power-Point SP80Power-Point SP3,3501,9930.313 G1
WinchesterSuper-X Power-Point80PSP3,3501,9930.313 G1
BarnesVOR-TX80TTSX BT3,3501,9930.315 G1
HornadyVarmint Express87V-Max3,3502,1680.370 G1
WinchesterPower Point SP80Power Point SP3,3501,9930.313 G1
WinchesterAccuBond CT85Nosler AccuBond CT3,3202,0800.330 G1

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

26 reloading powders listed for .243 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

N530Accurate 2520RS52Norma 2012495AR 2207AR 2206HNorma 200Precision RifleAR 2208CFE 223N135IMR 4895H4895203-BAlliant Reloader 15H380Vihtavuori N140Varget4064
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .243 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .243 Winchester. Browse all →

Weatherby Model 307 Range XP .308 WinWeatherby Model 307 Alpine MDT 6.5 CreedmoorSako 90 AdventureBrowning X-Bolt Speed .308 WinWeatherby Model 307 .308 WinWeatherby Model 307 .28 NoslerBrowning X-Bolt Speed 6.5 CreedmoorCZ 600 LuxBrowning X-Bolt Speed .243 WinSako Sako 90 Adventure 308 WinCZ-USA 600 Alpha .308 Win 20-inchCZ-USA 600 Alpha .243 Win 20-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
.308 Winchester
Direct descendants (2)
.22-243 Winchester.243 Winchester Ackley Improved
Family TreeOpen .243 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads572 factory loads for .243 Winchester↗Reloading26 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .243 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Winchester in 1955. Instantly popular as combination varmint/deer rifle. Considered the minimum for ethical deer hunting in many states.

FAQs

What twist rate does .243 Winchester use?
.243 Winchester typically uses a 1:9 to 1:10 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .243 Winchester?
.243 Winchester uses a 0.243″ (6.172 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .243 Winchester still in production?
.243 Winchester is active; typical availability is abundant.
What is .243 Winchester used for?
.243 Winchester is primarily used for varmint, hunting.
What is .243 Winchester based on?
.243 Winchester is derived from the .308 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .243 Winchester?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .243 Winchester include N530, Accurate 2520, RS52, Norma 201, among 26 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 563 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →