This classic combination has been taking game since 1955.
Let’s take a look at the old school .243 Winchester paired up with a good bolt action rifle.
Back between 1952-1955 a new cartridge was invented by necking down the .308 Winchester cartridge to accept a .243 diameter projectile. Named the .243 Winchester it would take the shooting world by storm.
The then new .243 Winchester was naturally paired with great bolt action rifles of the time. The Winchester Model 70 was certainly first in line and has had a great reputation with all calibers it has been chambered for. Other makers jumped on board quickly allowing shooters a variety of manufacturers to choose from. The Remington Model 700 in .243 Winchester is also a fine pick with vintage roots and classic lines of a great big game and varmint rifle.
What’s the deal of .243 Winchester ammo anyway? Well think about launching at the lighter end a 58 grain Hornady V-MAX at 3,925 feet per second. Why not a 100 grain boat tail soft point at 2,960 feet per second? This can all be done by one cartridge out of a very accurate rifle. With lighter recoil than many deer viable cartridges of the day it became quite popular quickly.
Smaller statured hunters found this combination to be a great deer rifle. In many states this cartridge might be listed at the very lightest allowed for deer but it is still deadly on them. For varmints the .243 Winchester is literal dynamite to them. One shot and done.
In the modern age though we feel the need to hotrod everything. Ammunition is no different and companies such as Buffalo Bore have certainly put even more teeth into this classic cartridge.
While bolt action rifles have been a big deal for the .243 Winchester cartridge they certainly are not the only firearms chambered for them. From single shots to even lever action rifles such as the modern Henry Arms Long Ranger are chambered for the .243 Winchester cartridge.
How about an AR-10 autoloading rifle chambered in .243 Winchester? Yes, that is a reality such as offerings from my friends at Bear Creek Arsenal.
Handgun chambered in the .243 Winchester cartridge? You bet! How about a single shot CVA Scout chambered for that rifle cartridge? Impressive right? Imagine the muzzle blast and bark of that flame thrower! Wear hearing protection for certain before you touch that trigger!
Hunters for over half a century have enjoyed the flat shooting and light recoiling for deer hunting and varmint removal. While newer cartridges are always being revealed as the future of the shooting sports the old school .243 Winchester cartridge paired with a good bolt action rifle will always find a place on the hunt and on the range. We will continue to see bolt action .243 Winchester caliber rifles on the for sale shelves at our favorite gun shops. They will also still be dusted off from their hiding spots behind rural home back doors to dispatch a pesky coyote or hauled into the deer woods each fall. Long live the .243 Winchester cartridge!
