Best-value .243 Winchester hunting loads by product line
| Product Line | Grain | Type | Typical CPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok | 100gr | SP | $1.20—1.60 |
| Remington Core-Lokt | 100gr | PSP | $1.20—1.50 |
| Winchester Deer Season XP | 95gr | Extreme Point | $1.30—1.70 |
| Hornady American Whitetail | 100gr | InterLock SP | $1.30—1.70 |
What to know about .243 Winchester hunting ammo
The 100gr soft point is the standard .243 deer load. It generates enough energy for clean kills on whitetail inside 300 yards with moderate recoil — about half what .308 Winchester produces. For youth hunters and recoil-sensitive shooters, the .243 Win is the go-to first centerfire deer cartridge. Premium bonded bullets like Federal Trophy Bonded and Nosler Partition ($2.00—2.50/rd) offer better weight retention for quartering shots on larger game.