243 Winchester Reloading Specifications

Cartridge:
The 243 Winchester centerfire rifle cartridge is a .24″ caliber, rimless, bottleneck centerfire rifle cartridge case design that is reloadable with various combinations of primer, powder and .243″ diameter bullets by handloaders.

243 Winchester Reloading Specifications:

243 Winchester Cartridge:

Bullet Diameter – .243″.

Primer Diameter – .210″.

Primer Type – Large Rifle.

Case Neck Diameter – .276″.

Case Shoulder Diameter – .454″.

Case Base Diameter – .471″.

Case Rim Diameter – .473″.

Min. Case Length – 2.035″ / Trimmed.

Max. Case Length – 2.045″ / Stretched.

Min. Cartridge Loaded Length – 2.540″.

Max. Cartridge Loaded Length – 2.710″.

Max. Average Pressure – 60,000 PSI.

For the varmint or predator hunter hand-loading his or her own 243 Winchester ammunition wanting to shoot a lightweight bullet, the 243 Winchester will launch Nosler 55 grain Ballistic-Tip varmint bullets in the exces of 4,000 feet per second. Those handloaders desiring a slightly heavier bullet, Sierra 80 grain varminter bullet does a better job when dealing with stiff cross-winds when varmint hunting.

243 Winchester Load Data:

Winchester Cartridge Case

Case Trimmed Length = 2.035″.

Nosler Bullet

Dia.

Type

Weight

S.D.

B.C.

.243″

B-Tip

.133

.276

Cartridge Overall Length = 2.635″.

Remington Primer

Type = 9 1/2 Large Rifle.

Ramshot Hunter Powder

Powder
Start
Load
Grains

Start
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Powder
Maximum
Load
Grains

Maximum
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Maximum
Load
Pressure
P.S.I.

49.4

3,771

54.9

4,086

59,368

Ballistic Test Barrel Length = 24″.
Ballistic Test Barrel Twist Rate = 1 in 10″.

Bullet @	Velocity / FPS.	Energy / FT.LBS.	Trajectory / IN.
Muzzle	4,086	2,039	– 1.5
100 yds.	3,651	1,628	+ 0.6
200 yds.	3,259	1,297	0
300 yds.	2,901	1,028	– 3.8
400 yds.	2,570	807	– 11.8
500 yds.	2,263	625	– 25.1

243 Winchester Load Data:

Winchester Cartridge Case

Case Trimmed Length = 2.035″.

Sierra Bullet

Dia.

Type

Weight

S.D.

B.C.

.243″

.194

.319

Cartridge Overall Length = 2.635″.

Winchester Primer

Type = WLR.

Hodgdon Superformance Powder

Powder
Start
Load
Grains

Start
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Powder
Maximum
Load
Grains

Maximum
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Maximum
Load
Pressure
P.S.I.

44.0

3,236

48.7

3,460

58,400

Ballistic Test Barrel Length = 24″.
Ballistic Test Barrel Twist Rate = 1 in 10″.

Bullet @	Velocity / FPS.	Energy / FT.LBS.	Trajectory / IN.
Muzzle	3,460	2,126	– 1.5
100 yds.	3,133	1,743	+ 0.9
200 yds.	2,830	1,423	0
300 yds.	2,547	1,153	– 5.2
400 yds.	2,281	924	– 15.9
500 yds.	2,031	733	– 33.2

For the Antelope, Hog, Blacktail Deer, Whitetail Deer or Mule Deer hunter, hand-loading or reloading his or her own 243 Winchester ammunition, bullet choices and selections are very good. Berger VLD bullets offer a very flat trajectory and Sierra Gamekings are excellent as well.

243 Winchester Load Data:

Winchester Cartridge Case

Case Trimmed Length = 2.035″.

Berger Bullet

Dia.

Type

Weight

S.D.

B.C.

.243″

VLD

.230

.486

Cartridge Overall Length = 2.650″.

Remington Primer

Type = 9 1/2 Large Rifle.

Ramshot Hunter Powder

Powder
Start
Load
Grains

Start
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Powder
Maximum
Load
Grains

Maximum
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Maximum
Load
Pressure
P.S.I.

40.1

2,874

44.6

3,165

59,883

Ballistic Test Barrel Length = 24″.
Ballistic Test Barrel Twist Rate = 1 in 10″.

Bullet @	Velocity / FPS.	Energy / FT.LBS.	Trajectory / IN.
Muzzle	3,165	2,113	– 1.5
100 yds.	2,962	1,851	+ 1.2
200 yds.	2,769	1,617	0
300 yds.	2,584	1,408	– 5.8
400 yds.	2,406	1,221	– 16.8
500 yds.	2,235	1,053	– 33.8

243 Winchester Load Data:

Winchester Cartridge Case

Case Trimmed Length = 2.035″.

Sierra Bullet

Dia.

Type

Weight

S.D.

B.C.

.243″

G-K

100

.242

.430

Cartridge Overall Length = 2.650″.

Remington Primer

Type = 9 1/2 Large Rifle.

Accurate Magpro Powder

Powder
Start
Load
Grains

Start
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Powder
Maximum
Load
Grains

Maximum
Load
Velocity
Fps.

Maximum
Load
Pressure
P.S.I.

45.2

2,861

50.2

3,107

59,880

Ballistic Test Barrel Length = 24″.
Ballistic Test Barrel Twist Rate = 1 in 10″.

Bullet @	Velocity / FPS.	Energy / FT.LBS.	Trajectory / IN.
Muzzle	3,107	2,143	– 1.5
100 yds.	2,881	1,843	+ 1.4
200 yds.	2,667	1,580	0
300 yds.	2,463	1,347	– 6.3
400 yds.	2,268	1,142	– 18.2
500 yds.	2,082	962	– 37.0

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