.243 Winchester vs .308 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 .243 Winchester is about 140 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,960 vs 2,820 ft/s).
The .308 Winchester carries about 36% more energy at the muzzle (2,648 vs 1,945 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.
On the same size target, the .243 Winchester has the longer point-blank range (283 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| .243 Winchester | .308 Winchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Dual-purpose: long-range varmints with light bullets, whitetail and pronghorn with 95–100 gr. | Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk. |
| Typical load | 100 grsoft point | 150 grsoft point |
| Muzzle speed | 2,960 ft/s | 2,820 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,945 ft-lbs | 2,648 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.38typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.33typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:101:8 for 105+ gr | 1:10 |
| Practical range | 300 yd | 400 yd |
| Point-blank range | 283 yd6" vital zone | 266 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Light or standard rifleLight recoil; fine in a 6–7 lb rifle | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight |
Which one fits you?
.243 Winchester: Dual-purpose: long-range varmints with light bullets, whitetail and pronghorn with 95–100 gr.
.308 Winchester: Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk.
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
- .243 Winchester profile
- .308 Winchester profile
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- .308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
- .243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 7mm-08 Remington vs .308 Winchester
- .30-30 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- .308 Winchester vs 7.62x51 NATO
- 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.