.22-250 Remington vs .243 Winchester
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .22-250 Remington is about 720 ft/s faster at the muzzle (3,680 vs 2,960 ft/s).
The .243 Winchester carries about 18% more energy at the muzzle (1,945 vs 1,654 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The .243 Winchester's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.38), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
Side by side
| .22-250 Remington | .243 Winchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Purpose-built high-speed varmint and predator round: prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes. | Dual-purpose: long-range varmints with light bullets, whitetail and pronghorn with 95–100 gr. |
| Typical load | 55 grV-Max | 100 grsoft point |
| Muzzle speed | 3,680 ft/s | 2,960 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,654 ft-lbs | 1,945 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | 0.255maker's published G1 | ≈ 0.38typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:141:8 for 70+ gr | 1:101:8 for 105+ gr |
| Practical range | 400 yd varmint | 300 yd |
| Point-blank range | 284 yd4" vital zone | 283 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Any rifle, ultralights includedVery light recoil | Light or standard rifleLight recoil; fine in a 6–7 lb rifle |
Which one fits you?
.22-250 Remington: Purpose-built high-speed varmint and predator round: prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes.
.243 Winchester: Dual-purpose: long-range varmints with light bullets, whitetail and pronghorn with 95–100 gr.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .22-250 Remington profile
- .243 Winchester profile
- .243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- .223 Remington vs .22-250 Remington
- .243 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.