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What is 243 WSSM Ammo? 👀
The .243 WSSM (Winchester Super Short Magnum) is a rifle cartridge designed by Winchester and introduced in 2003. It is based on the .300 WSM case necked down to .243 caliber (6mm). It offers high velocity, flat trajectory, and excellent accuracy, making it suitable for varmint hunting and long-range shooting.
Features 💣
- ⚫️ Long-range accuracy
- ⚪️ High velocity
- ⚫️ Minimal recoil
- ⚪️ Lightweight and compact
- ⚫️ Versatility
- ⚪️ Fast follow-up shots
Benefits 🔋
| 🔰 The .243 WSSM cartridge allows for accurate shots at extended distances. |
| 🔰 It can deliver a flatter trajectory and greater energy at longer ranges than other cartridges. |
| 🔰 The ammo produces minimal recoil, making it an excellent choice for shooters who want to fire multiple rounds quickly. |
| 🔰 It is easy to carry and handle in the field. |
| 🔰 The cartridge can be used for a variety of purposes, including hunting, target shooting, and competition shooting. |
| 🔰 It allows for fast follow-up shots, making it an excellent choice for hunting and other applications where quick shooting is necessary. |
What are the types of 243 WSSM Ammo? 🔢
There are a few types of .243 WSSM ammo available on the market, including:
- Ballistic Tip Ammo
⇢ designed for hunting, with a polymer-tipped bullet that provides superior accuracy and expansion upon impact.
- 🔹 Varmint Grenade Ammo
⇢ designed for varmint hunting, with a lead-free bullet that delivers rapid expansion and high terminal performance.
- 🔹 Custom Competition Ammo
⇢ designed for competition shooting, with a boat-tailed hollow point bullet that provides superior accuracy and consistency.
- 🔹 Full Metal Jacket Ammo
⇢ designed for target shooting and practice, with a full metal jacket bullet that reduces barrel fouling and ensures consistent accuracy.
- 🔹 Soft Point Ammo
⇢ designed for hunting, with a soft-point bullet that expands upon impact and delivers high terminal performance.
Our Selection 17 Best 🚀 .243 Winchester Ammo – Editor’s Choice
1# 243 WSSM – 100 Grain Power-Point SP – Winchester Super-X
The 243 WSSM 100 Grain Power-Point SP from Winchester is designed for hunters who need to make the most of their shot opportunities. The 100-grain Power-Point bullet expands upon impact for maximum penetration and tissue disruption, while the toothed cannelure prevents jacket separation. The result is a well-balanced round that can take down a medium-sized game with ease. Each bullet is housed in a reloadable brass casing with Winchester’s clean-igniting Boxer primer, making this an ideal choice for hunters who demand precision and performance.
2# 243 Winchester – 100 Grain Brass Cased – Norma
The 243 Winchester is a versatile and popular round for hunters all over the world. It was originally designed as a wildcat by Warren Page, and later adopted as a commercial round by Winchester in 1955. The 243 Win is well suited for medium game hunting, thanks to its high velocity and deep penetration. This ammunition from Norma uses a 100 gr Rapid expansion bullet, which is ideal for taking down medium-sized game animals. With its uniform expansion and deep penetration, Norma Whitetail is the perfect choice for your next hunting trip.
3# 243 Winchester – 70 Grain Brass Cased – Nosler
The 243 Winchester from Nosler’s Varmageddon line is the perfect choice for the high-volume varmint shooter who demands precision and performance. This brass-cased, 70-grain ammunition is loaded with Nosler’s highly accurate polymer tip or hollow point bullets and provides outstanding accuracy and terminal performance. With cases that are checked for correct length, necks that are sized, chamfered and trued, and flash holes that are checked for proper alignment, this ammunition is sure to meet your demanding standards. Don’t settle for anything less than the best – choose Nosler’s Varmageddon 243 Winchester brass-cased, 70-grain ammunition.
4# 243 Winchester – 80 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Brass Cased – Winchester
Winchester Super-X Rifle .43 Winchester 80-grain Jacketed Soft Point Brass Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition is perfect for your next hunting trip. With high quality and reliability, you can’t go wrong with this choice. This ammo is designed for rapid explosive expansion, with a thin wall jacket that reduces engraving forces for improved accuracy. The lead core is designed for maximum expansion on game, and the brass cartridge case ensures long-lasting durability. With a muzzle velocity of 3350 feet per second and muzzle energy of 1993 foot-pounds, this ammunition provides the power and performance you need to take down your target.
5# 243 Winchester – 100 Grain Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point – Remington
Remington Core-Lokt is the most trusted big game ammunition by hunters around the world because it’s filled more tags on more continents than any other load. The original controlled expansion bullet is known as Core-Lokt. For over 75 years, it has been the preferred choice of hunters. The tapered copper jacket is secured to a solid lead core that delivers massive 2X expansion, weight retention, and on-game performance. Available in soft point and pointed soft point versions for virtually every centerfire hunting caliber, as well as a range of bullet weights for most hunting calibers. Go into your next hunt knowing you’re using the best hunting ammunition available.
6# 243 Winchester – 90 Grain E-Tip Lead-Free Brass Cased – Nosler
The Nosler 40030 E-Tip 243 Winchester 90 Grain E-Tip Lead-Free Brass Cased Ammunition is reliable, high-quality ammunition. It is perfect for hunting big game, as the E-Tip bullet provides uniform expansion and 95%+ weight retention for superior penetration and excellent terminal performance. The Nosler Custom brass is top quality, and the dependable, high-performing bullets you know and trust make this ammunition perfect for your next hunt.
7# 243 Winchester – 90 Grain Hunting Tipped Brass Cased – Sig Sauer
The SIG Sauer 243 Winchester Ammo is perfect for hunting and target practice. These rounds are made with high-quality materials and construction, so you can be assured they will last long. With a 90 grain bullet, these cartridges offer excellent accuracy and penetration. The brass casing is also reloadable for those who like to make their own ammunition. Order your box of SIG Sauer 243 Winchester Ammo today!
8# 243 Winchester – 95 Grain Super Shock Tip – Hornady
Looking for an edge on the competition? Check out Hornady Superformance ammunition. This innovative ammo is 100 to 200 fps faster than any conventional ammo on the market and achieves this performance in every gun without increasing felt recoil, muzzle blast, temperature sensitivity, fouling, or loss of accuracy. Superformance is a cutting-edge technological advancement in ammunition design that transcends convention and achieves the highest performance of any ammo on the market today. This specialized Superformance ammo uses ultra progressive propellants that take your favorite SST or GMX bullets to levels of performance that are simply unattainable with conventional propellants. So if you’re looking for the absolute best in performance and cutting-edge technology, look no further than Hornady Superperformance ammunition.
9# 243 Winchester – 100 Grain Jacketed Soft Point – Federal Premium
The 243 Winchester from Federal Premium is the perfect load for hunters looking for consistent, reliable performance at an affordable price. This 100-grain jacketed soft point bullet provides excellent accuracy and power and is suited for a wide variety of medium and big game. The high-quality brass, primers, and powder create a round that you can depend on, shot after shot. Don’t let the price tag fool you – this is a high-quality load that will help you put game in the freezer all season long.
10# 243 Winchester – 90 Grain Controlled Expansion Tip Brass Cased – Sig Sauer
The 243 Winchester from Sig Sauer is the perfect round for medium to big game at extended ranges. The exclusive jacket design delivers devastating on-game performance, while the concentric blackened jacket ensures reliable explosive expansion. The translucent yellow tip increases the ballistic coefficient, improves terminal performance, and aids in consistent reliable chambering. The enhanced boat tail design provides superior flight characteristics over a wide range of velocities. The nickel-plated cases aid in extraction while providing significant anti-corrosion qualities. The custom-formulated and precision-loaded powders deliver consistent velocities regardless of atmospheric conditions, while the industry-leading primers are matched to proprietary powder blends to ensure dependable ignition.
11# 243 Winchester – 90 Grain Ballistic Tip Brass Cased – Nosler
The newest addition to the Nosler line of high-performance cartridges is the Ballistic Tip 243 Winchester. This is some of the most accurate and reliable ammunition on the market, perfect for taking down deer, antelope, and hogs. The Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet is loaded up front for maximum effectiveness. Every bullet weight and muzzle velocity has been optimized for superior performance. The tapered bullet jacket controls expansion for the perfect balance of penetration and energy transfer. With a proven track-record of accuracy and terminal performance, this is the perfect choice for serious hunters. The brass cartridge case ensures durability and reliability, while the 3000 ft/s muzzle velocity provides exceptional power. Don’t settle for anything less than the best – choose Nosler Ballistic Tip ammunition.
12# 243 Winchester – 80 Grain TTSX Boat Tail – Barnes
The 243 Winchester from Barnes is the perfect choice for serious hunters looking for the utmost in accuracy and terminal performance. The Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX, and TSX FN bullets offer double-diameter expansion, maximum weight retention and unrivaled accuracy. The multiple grooves in the bullet’s shank reduce pressure and improve accuracy while the all-copper construction delivers quick, humane kills. With its devastating energy transfer and pass-through penetration, the 243 Winchester is sure to put down even the biggest game.
13# 243 Winchester – 97 Grain Rapid Expansion Matrix Tip Brass Cased – Browning
The Browning BXR 243 Winchester is a high-performance rifle that is perfect for both serious hunters and recreational shooters. Featuring a 97 grain rapid expansion matrix tip, the BXR delivers unparalleled accuracy and power. With its brass casing, the BXR is also built to last, making it a great investment for any shooting enthusiast. This top-of-the-line ammunition is designed specifically for use on whitetail, blacktail, mule deer and antelope. The proprietary matrix tip design allows for high downrange velocity and energy retention while also initiating rapid positive expansion. Its jacket and tip combination yields precision accuracy, rapid energy transfer and generates massive knockdown power. Each cartridge is constructed using only the finest components including a reloadable brass casing, a non-corrosive Boxer primer, and clean-burning propellant grains. The round is topped off with a 97-grain Rapid Expanding Matrix Tip projectile which is heavy for the caliber and offers enhanced penetration and energy transfer. When you’re looking for the best in hunting ammunition, look no further than Browning BXR 243 Winchester – 97 Grain Rapid Expansion Matrix Tip Brass Cased.
14# 243 Winchester – 100 Grain Norma Oryx Brass Cased – Norma
The 243 Winchester – 100 Grain Norma Oryx is a top-of-the-line hunting bullet that is perfect for taking down any game. The Orxy has a thin forward jacket with internal splitting zones that ensure perfect mushrooming at all impact velocities. The bonding and the thicker rear jacket wall ensure a high residual weight after impact ( over 90%) and excellent penetration. This bonded design suits the all-around hunter who wishes to simplify the choice of cartridge for hunting. Thanks to its excellent performance, in a very few years Oryx has become the most popular of the Norma bullets.
15# 243 Winchester – 65 Grain Polymer Tip Brass Cased – Browning
The 243 Winchester 65 Grain Polymer Tip Brass Cased Browning ammunition is designed for rapid expansion and maximum energy transfer to quickly dispatch predators and varmints. The polymer tip improves the ballistic coefficient for flatter trajectory and higher downrange velocity, while the browning BXV Rapid Expansion bullet is optimized for immediate expansion upon impact. This ammunition is perfect for those who demand the best in predator and varmint hunting.
16# 243 Winchester – 58 Grain Rapid Expansion Polymer Tip – Winchester
The 243 Winchester is a great choice for varmint and predator hunting. The sleek, polymer-tipped bullets are explosive upon impact, making it a very effective round. Varmint X also features the proven dependability of Winchester ammunition, making it a great choice for hunters who demand the best.
17# 243 Winchester – 95 Grain Berger Hybrid – Federal Premium
If you’re looking for a hunting round that provides exceptional accuracy and ballistic performance, look no further than the Federal Premium 243 Winchester 95 Grain Berger Hybrid. The hybrid nose design of the Berger bullet provides outstanding aerodynamic performance, making it ideal for long-range shots. The nickel-plated brass casing is reloadable and offers superior corrosion resistance in wet weather conditions. Whether you’re varmint hunting or targeting big game, the Federal Premium 243 Winchester is an excellent choice for all your hunting needs.
How to choose the best 243 WSSM Ammo? 💡
Here are some things to consider when choosing the best .243 WSSM ammo:
| 1️⃣ Purpose ⟹ Different types of .243 WSSM ammo are designed for different purposes, so choose the type of ammo that best suits your needs. |
| 2️⃣ Bullet weight ⟹ The bullet weight of the cartridge affects the trajectory and energy of the bullet. 🐻 Consider the distance you will be shooting and the size of the game you will be hunting to determine the appropriate bullet weight. |
| 3️⃣ Velocity ⟹ The velocity of the cartridge affects the trajectory and accuracy of the bullet. 📐 Consider the distance you will be shooting and the intended use of the cartridge to determine the appropriate velocity. |
| 4️⃣ Manufacturer ⟹ Choose a reputable manufacturer with a history of producing high-quality ammunition. 👀 Look for reviews and recommendations from other shooters and hunters. |
| 5️⃣ Cost ⟹ Consider the cost of the cartridge and choose the best option that fits within your budget. ⚠️However, it’s important to remember that cheaper options may not always provide the best performance and quality. |
| 6️⃣ Compatibility ⟹ Ensure that the cartridge is compatible with your firearm. ✅ Check the manufacturer’s recommendations and specifications to ensure that the cartridge is suitable for your firearm. |
📢 By considering these factors, you can choose the best .243 WSSM ammo for your shooting needs and preferences.
FAQ 🤔
Conclusion ⏰
Now that you have read the article, you should have a good understanding of what to look for when purchasing this type of ammunition. We have provided some top-rated options based on customer feedback and reviews, as well as helpful tips to keep in mind when making your purchase. Thank you for reading! 😉🤝
Over the past 20 years, my friend has hunted and taken down at least 36 deer using a .243 ammo. Without fail, he has always used corelokt bullets.
This may sound crazy, but I’ve achieved sub-MOA groups with my Remington 770 rifle chambered in .243 Winchester, which cost only $200 and came with the stock scope. I accomplished this using Federal SP rounds. To be fair, I removed the action from the stock and hand-free-floated the barrel, but since the stock is synthetic, this was completely free. Although I haven’t taken the rifle out hunting yet, I have no doubts that it will perform admirably when I take it boar hunting. I trust that this ammunition will deliver the results I need.
I’m interested in your thoughts on SST rounds. Specifically, I’m curious about factors such as meat loss and knockdown power.
I’m using my .308 rifle, and I rely on 150 SST bullets. If you manage to hit the shoulder of the animal, you may end up losing a significant portion of the meat. However, when aiming for a behind-the-shoulder shot, these bullets often disrupt the heart and lungs, causing them to turn into jelly.
📢 SST rounds are a type of ammunition that is designed to provide superior terminal ballistics by delivering rapid expansion and deep penetration upon impact.
1️⃣ In terms of meat loss, SST rounds can cause significant damage to the animal’s internal organs, which can result in substantial meat loss. However, the degree of meat loss can vary depending on the distance of the shot, the type of animal being hunted, and the shot placement.
2️⃣ Regarding knockdown power, the rounds are known for their ability to deliver high levels of kinetic energy upon impact, which can result in a significant knockdown effect on the target.
I personally have never used Nosler E-Tip ammunition, but a friend of mine has and has achieved successful hits at distances of roughly 200 yards or less. She appreciates the low recoil of the ammunition and has never expressed any negative feedback about it.
I’ve been an avid hunter for over four decades, and now that my sons are grown and gone, it’s my grandkids who I’ll be passing on the tradition. I’ve had great success using Remington Core-Lokt bullets, which I’ve been using for a long time now. They are the most effective at bringing home the meat, and I believe they are the deadliest bullets on the market. I appreciate your post, and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for the feedback!😉
For the past two decades, I’ve relied on a Remington Model 700 rifle in .243 caliber paired with Federal 100 grain soft point ammunition for my whitetail hunting. This combination has consistently performed beyond my expectations and has never failed me. I find it amusing when I encounter hunters who believe they need a .30 caliber magnum rifle to effectively take down deer.
I exclusively use Blue Box Federal ammunition for my .243 rifle and have been extremely impressed with its performance. Nearly 95% of the deer I’ve taken down have dropped immediately upon impact and their internal organs were significantly disrupted. The results have been nothing short of impressive.
I recently purchased several boxes of Federal Premium Hybrid Hunter ammunition and noticed that the primers were not gold in color. I’m curious if this is a common occurrence or if it’s cause for concern.
☑️ It’s not uncommon for Federal Premium ammunition to have different primer colors depending on the specific load and lot number. While some Federal Premium ammunition may have gold-colored primers, others may have silver or nickel-colored primers.
📢 The primer color is generally not an indicator of the quality or effectiveness of the ammunition. The primer’s primary function is to ignite the powder charge, and the color is often a result of the specific primer composition used by the manufacturer.
I don’t have much familiarity with the .243 caliber as I purchased one a few years ago specifically for my daughter. Despite its limited use, the firearm has successfully taken down four deer. The only issue I’ve encountered is that the bullet doesn’t leave a significant blood trail. However, I’ve managed to find all the deer that have been shot using SST bullets. While I haven’t yet tried copper or bonded bullets, I appreciate the information shared in these posts.