The .243 Winchester (6×52mm) is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Developed as a versatile short action cartridge to hunt both medium game and small game alike, it "took whitetail hunting by storm" [2] when introduced in 1955, and remains one of the most popular whitetail deer cartridges.
If you are new to deer hunting or long-range shooting, chances are that a rifle chambered in the .243 Winchester cartridge has come up in conversation as you weigh your options. That choice comes with good reason.
Today's .243 Winchester ammo is capable of so much more than just taking whitetails across a beanfield, although it remains a great choice for that too. So, let’s talk about what the best .243 Winchester rifles are and what to look for when selecting one for your own hunting needs.
243 Winchester bolt action, semi automatic and lever action rifles for medium game hunting between 200 to 300 yards. Ideal for youth hunters.
The .243 was developed after wildcatter Warren Page necked down a .308 Winchester, creating a cartridge that uses a .243-inch diameter bullet. Depending on bullet weights, you can expect a muzzle velocity of 2,800 to 3,300 feet per second (fps) when shooting a .243-caliber bullet.
Introduced in 1955 the .243 Winchester is based on the 7.62x51 military (.308 Winchester) case necked down to .243” (6mm). The balance of light recoil and versatility as both a varmint and big game cartridge quickly led to the .243 being one of the most popular rifle chamberings in the world.
Shop 243 Rifles right here at MidwayUSA. Choose from a wide selection of brands like Winchester, Remington, Christensen Arms, and Tiikka.