A wide range of various weapons products is provided to hunters on the shelves of specialized stores. Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, Winchester 243 cartridges are especially popular.
Designed specifically for shooting rodents, this ammunition is now effectively used for hunting medium-sized game. For some time it was used as a sniper shell in police special forces. Description and technical characteristics of the cartridge are presented in the article.
On the history of the creation of ammunition
The cartridge was developed in 1955 by the American arms manufacturer Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Ammunition 6 x 51 mm is listed as 243 Win. Caliber - 6.2 mm. Since it was intended for branded carbines of models 70 and 88, used in warming (high-precision shooting and sport hunting at long distances), quite high demands were made on the cartridge by American developers. Caliber 243 Win was supposed to have an ultra-high speed bullet, flat trajectory and reduced recoil.
About production
The developers used the widely used 308 Win army cartridge as the basis for the new ammunition. Its caliber is 7.62 x 51mm. When creating a new ammunition, the neck in the 308 Win sleeve was subjected to a re-compression procedure.
Application
The cartridge of 243 Win of 6.2 mm caliber was originally created for firing from long and ultra-long distances at rodents (rats, steppe squirrels) and small predators. While using this ammunition, the owners of carbines noted that it was universal and quite suitable for hunting large ungulates. Judging by the numerous shooter reviews, using the 243 Win caliber, you can lay a gilt, roe deer or a small deer. American hunters with the help of this ammunition get: white-tailed deer, wild boar, baker, ungulates living in the mountains (mouflons, chamois), and other medium-sized game. This cartridge fully meets all the requirements for it and is in great demand among hunters in the United States and other countries. In the arms market in the UK, it is the most popular deer hunting cartridge . At the same time, in England, the Winchester 243 is considered the minimum permitted caliber for the production of this beast. In Russia, an American-made cartridge is used when hunting small boar, fox and roe deer. Winchester 243 is also in demand among African shooters. With its help, small antelopes are caught: springboks and impals. The open spaces of the savannah have become an ideal place where all the advantages of the Winchester 243 are fully manifested.
Among fans of rifled firearms, varminting is very popular. This entertaining and sporting shooting from large and extra-large distances is carried out using special specimens of rifled weapons and ammunition with their gentle and flat trajectory. One of these cartridges was 308 Win. The low recoil during firing and the low cost of this munition explain its great demand among lovers of varminting. In the army, Winchester 243 is not in demand. However, for some time this cartridge was in service in the Los Angeles police special units.
About cartridge specifications
Ammunition data:
- The product belongs to the type of rifle hunting cartridges.
- Country of Origin: USA.
- Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
- The cartridge was created in 1995. It is being produced at present.
- The length of the sleeve is 51.9 mm.
- The length of the cartridge is 68.63 mm.
- Caliber 6.2 mm.
- The bullet weighs 3.6 g.
- The diameter of the barrel muzzle is 7 mm, the base is 12 mm, the flange is 11.95 mm.
- The bullet has an initial velocity of 1237 m / s.
- The initial bullet energy is 2728 J.
Some recommendations for the operation of the cartridge
Judging by the reviews of experienced hunters, a shooter using this ammunition should be very careful. Especially you need to be careful when shooting at close range. This recommendation is due to the fact that as a result of a bullet hit, powerful cavitation occurs. This entails breaking the carcass.
Some consumers are interested in whether it is possible to hunt a bear with this cartridge. Experienced shooters argue that this is not worth doing, because at a high bullet speed and because of its large weight, the projectile’s power will not be enough to “hit” such a large beast. According to experts, using the Winchester 243 while hunting a bear, the shooter puts himself at great risk.
This caliber is recommended for the intended purpose. Objects for hunting are animals whose weight does not exceed 150 kg. The optimal distance for shooting large ungulates is 200 meters.
Finally
Amateurs equipped with shell, semi-shell and expansive bullets are very popular among amateurs hunting with rifles. Effective shooting becomes possible due to the large flat trajectory of the Winchester 243 cartridge. It is not difficult to purchase this ammunition, since today it is considered one of the most common and is presented on the market in a wide variety of options.