A side by side look at 22-250 vs 243 Winchester. What separates these rounds from each other and which caliber is better for you?
The .22-250 Remington and .243 Winchester have many similarities. Both are small-diameter cartridges that came out of the mid-20th century. Both provide speed, decent power, hole-punching capability, and reliable accuracy.
However, one is considered an effective varmint round, while the other is one of the most popular whitetail loads in the country.
While the reputations for these rounds are different, they are surprisingly similar and share overlapping capabilities. Selecting one or the other may be more complicated than you thought. With a little research and a bit of thought about how you will use the rounds, you can select the ideal cartridge for your needs.
Summary: 22-250 vs 243
While it is slower than 22-250, 243 is typically a heavier bullet that delivers more energy downrange. Both cartridges can be suitable for medium-sized game in North America. The cartridges deliver roughly the same trajectory for shooters as well. If you’re looking for a cartridge that can do more at distance, go with 243. If you are looking to deter coyotes from your property, 22-250 is perfectly capable and probably a better choice.
.22-250 Remington vs .243 Winchester: Specs
| .22-250 Remington | .243 Winchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1937 | 1955 |
| Case Type | Bottleneck | Bottleneck |
| Bullet Diameter | .224 inches | .243 inches |
| Neck Diameter | .254 inches | .276 inches |
| Base Diameter | .470 inches | .471 inches |
| Case Length | 1.912 inches | 2.045 inches |
| Overall Length | 2.35 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Bullet Weights | 35 - 60 grains | 50 - 100 grains |
| Typical Firearm | Bolt-action | Bolt-action (some lever) |
Size and Shape
If you hold these two cartridges in your palm, you’ll notice a few differences. These distinctions, however, will not be massive. The most noticeable difference between the two is overall length; with a total length of 2.34 inches, the .22-250 is just a bit shorter than the .243 Winchester, which is roughly 2.7 inches long.
Another important difference, although one that requires closer inspection, is the bullet diameter. As the names suggest, the .22-250 Remington is slimmer than the .243 Winchester. This difference in diameter affects the width of wound channels created by the rounds, and also creates variations in the overall weight of the bullets loaded into these cartridges.
Bullet Weight
While they have noticeable size and shape differences, the most important difference between these two rounds is likely the bullet weight. While there is overlap, the .243 Winchester can pack much heavier bullets, a factor that has obvious implications for bullet performance.
The general range of the .22-250 is about 35 to 60 grains, while the .243 Winchester starts around 50 and can go to 100 grains or higher.
.22-250 Rem vs .243 Win: Ballistics
With subtle yet distinct differences, the .22-250 Remington and the .243 Winchester will inevitably perform differently. For shooters considering these rounds, it’s important to look at velocity, energy, and trajectory to discover which is right.
To compare the rounds, we looked at four different products from each cartridge, using pairs of products from a specific manufacturer. Although the sample size is small, these comparison pairs give a reliable indication for the overall performance of the .22-250 vs the .243 Remington.
Velocity Comparison
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 200-Yard Velocity | |
|---|---|---|
| .22-250 - 55-gr Varmageddon (Nosler) | 3,550 | 2,757 |
| .243 Win - 55-gr Varmageddon (Nosler) | 3,800 | 2,954 |
| .22-250 - 50-grain V-MAX (Hornady) | 4,000 | 3,086 |
| .243 Win - 75-gr V-MAX (Hornady) | 3,580 | 2,952 |
| .22-250 - 50-gr AccuTip-V (Remington) | 3,800 | 2,925 |
| .243 Win - 75-gr AccuTip-V (Remington) | 3,375 | 2,775 |
| .22-250 - 64-gr Power-Point (Winchester) | 3,500 | 2,708 |
| .243 Win - 100-gr Power-Point (Winchester) | 2,960 | 2,449 |
Velocity statistics, while largely favoring the .22-250, were a mixed result. In three out of four comparisons, the .22-250 was clearly the faster cartridge, but in the Nosler products, where both launch a 55-grain round, the advantage went to the .243 Winchester.
For the most part, the .22-250 was the faster cartridge. In comparisons where the .22-250 packed a lighter bullet (which is typical), the muzzle velocity for the .22-250 was roughly 400 to 500 fps faster than the .243 Winchester.
Winner: .22-250 Remington
Energy
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 200-Yard Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| .22-250 - 55-gr Varmageddon (Nosler) | 1,538 | 928 |
| .243 Win - 55-gr Varmageddon (Nosler) | 1,763 | 1,066 |
| .22-250 - 50-grain V-MAX (Hornady) | 1,776 | 1,057 |
| .243 Win - 75-gr V-MAX (Hornady) | 2,134 | 1,451 |
| .22-250 - 50-gr AccuTip-V (Remington) | 1,603 | 949 |
| .243 Win - 75-gr AccuTip-V (Remington) | 1,879 | 1,282 |
| .22-250 - 64-gr Power-Point (Winchester) | 1,741 | 1,042 |
| .243 Win - 100-gr Power-Point (Winchester) | 1,945 | 1,332 |
While the .22-250 has the advantage in speed, the heavier bullets of the .243 Winchester give the round a stronger impact. This advantage, it appears, is present in both close and long-range shots, which affects how the round can be used for hunting.
The .22-250 delivers surprising power, especially for a .22-caliber round. It maintains over 1,000 ft-lbs to 200 yards and beyond. That indicates you can use this cartridge for medium-sized hunting. However, the .243, with heavier bullets and only a slight disadvantage in speed, is more powerful at the muzzle and down range.
Winner: .243 Winchester
Trajectory
While a good marksman can compensate for trajectory drop, it’s universally accepted that the straighter the shot, the better the cartridge. A straight shot is essential for any hunter, and it’s preferred by target shooters who shoot at 200, 300, or 400 yards.
When selecting between the .22-250 and the .243 Winchester, it’s hard to find a significant difference between the two. Much depends on the specific products you select. For example, the Nosler products, which both use 55-grain bullets, show a slight advantage to the .243 option. On the other hand, all three of the remaining comparisons show an advantage for the .22-250. You can see in-depth ballistic comparison for specific rounds for the 22-250 here and 243 Win ballistics here.
The bottom line is simple: shooters and hunters will not select one or the other based on trajectory.
Winner: Draw
How to Choose Between .22-250 vs 243 Winchester
Now that we know, more or less, how the cartridges perform from the rifle to the target, you may be able to select the ideal round for your specific needs.
After all the discussion on numbers and statistics, we essentially land where we started: the reputations for these rounds are not inaccurate. They may not tell the entire story, but they’re not wrong: the .22-250 is generally a better option for varmint hunting, while the .243 Winchester is better for deer and other medium-sized game animals.
However, both rounds can be used for either purpose. The .22-250 Remington is fully capable of taking down a deer. In fact, some .22-250 Remington products are specifically advertised for deer hunting. Likewise, the .243 Winchester is not too large for varmint or predator hunting, especially coyote.
If you expect longer deer-hunting shots, consistently taking shots upwards of 200 yards, the .243 Winchester is probably your best option. However, if most of your shooting will be varmint and coyote hunting, the .22-250 is likely a better choice.
The Rounds You Need, the Price You Can Afford
Whether you need effective cartridges for deer, coyote, paper targets, or any of your outdoor pursuits, we have the affordable rounds you deserve.
Visit ammotogo.com to learn more about the best hunting cartridge and place your order today. We have in-stock 243 Win ammo for hunters for sale here and 22-250 rounds in-stock here.